[ Article originally appeared in
https://mayor.lacity.gov/ ]
Building on Successful Strategies that Have Lowered Both Homelessness and Crime, Mayor Bass Proposes to Invest in Emergency Services and Efforts to Immediately Bring People off the Streets
LOS ANGELES – In the face of downward economic trends, Mayor Karen Bass released her proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 today. It is balanced, and builds on successful strategies that have lowered both homelessness and crime since the Mayor was sworn in. It also contains common sense consolidations of related departments and other efforts to improve efficiency of city services.
Mayor Bass discussed the budget during her State of the City address earlier today. Click here for more information. View the budget proposal here.
“This budget makes investments to continue our progress on critical challenges like decreasing homelessness and crime while bringing the City’s finances into balance and driving change including common sense consolidations of related departments,” Mayor Bass said. “Homelessness is down. Crime is down. These are tough challenges, and our progress shows we can do anything in this city of limitless potential.”
Mayor Bass’ budget includes a strategic plan to close a nearly $1 billion gap and the following investments:
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No sworn officers or firefighters will be impacted – following direct efforts to retain officers to LAPD, about 20%, or 120, more officers are staying on the force this year compared with last year.
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LAFD budget increased with 227 new positions, funding for more paramedics, more fast response vehicles and other resources and support.
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Protection for homeless funding so people don’t wind up back on the streets – homelessness is down for the first time in years in LA.
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Continued funding for nearly 700 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers to lower wait times.
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All positions preserved for the Emergency Management Department with a priority to expand with future funding.
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Using Special Fund sources and MOUs with City’s proprietary departments to retain trained public works crews.
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Library, Recreation and Park facility hours will remain unchanged.
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Support for capital infrastructure projects are included, such as:
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Staff for the planning, coordination of LA Convention Center
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Funding for Sepulveda Basin improvements
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Recreation facilities in San Fernando Valley & South LA
The Mayor’s budget also includes:
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1,647 layoffs – a decision of last resort. Before layoffs, the Mayor worked to identify new revenue to offset costs, further eliminate “ghost” positions, and cut her own budget in the Mayor’s Office. She will continue to work to reduce this number – today at her State of the City address, Mayor Bass announced she will be in Sacramento this week advocating for more resources and exploring ways to bring down liability payments.
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6% in the Reserve Fund, above the 5% required City policy, over $200 Million in the Budget Stabilization Fund – helping us brace for continued unpredictability in Washington.
Mayor Bass said the following in her State of the City address earlier today: “Now, I would like to take a minute to address our city workforce directly: Make no mistake — you are this city’s greatest asset. Every single day, you come to work in dedicated service to the people of Los Angeles, often in challenging working conditions – you help Angelenos and you make our city better every day. But I want to be straight with you – my proposed budget unfortunately includes layoffs, which is a decision of absolute last resort. The City Attorney and I will be in Sacramento this week to meet with legislative leaders and advocate for resources while also working to manage increasing liabilities. So let me assure our hardworking public servants, I will never stop fighting for you.”
The nearly $1 billion deficit was driven by downward economic trends bringing City revenues far lower than previously projected. Turmoil and uncertainty in Washington, volatile stock markets and continued post-pandemic impacts related to tourism and other factors cause extreme budget uncertainty. The wildfires in the Palisades have increased costs related to emergency response and recovery, while lost homes and businesses and other disaster-related negative economic impacts will decrease property tax and other tax revenues. Personnel costs are increased and liability payments have tripled.
Other Strategic Actions:
The Mayor’s budget proposes structural changes to the City’s operations to ensure effective service delivery. Over the last ten years, the City has created 5 new departments.
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This budget consolidates four departments – the Departments of Aging, Economic and Workforce Development, and Youth Development will be consolidated under the Community Investment for Families Department.
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It also eliminates the Health Commission which is an advisory body, whose purview is more closely aligned with County services; the Innovation & Performance Commission; and the Climate Emergency Mobilization Commission.
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The Commission for Community and Family Services is consolidated under the Community Action Agency – Community Action Board, and the Affordable Housing Commission is consolidated under the Rent Adjustment Commission.
This budget is not final. City Council must consider and approve a budget by June 1, 2025.
SOURCE: https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-releases-balanced-budget-proposal-fy-2025-2026
