LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles City Council approved a $14 billion budget for 2025-26 on Thursday, scaling back Mayor Karen Bass’ public safety plans in an effort to prevent layoffs of 1,000 city workers.
Budget Details and Police Staffing Cuts
Facing a nearly $1 billion deficit, the council voted 12-3 to reduce funding for LAPD recruitment, allowing the department to hire only 240 officers next year — half of Mayor Bass’ proposed 480. This would leave the police force with about 8,400 officers by June 2026, down from 8,700 this year and 10,000 in 2020.
- The Los Angeles Fire Department’s hiring was also cut, with funding for just 58 new firefighters instead of the 227 the mayor requested after last year’s wildfires.
- Three council members, including Traci Park and Monica Rodriguez, opposed the budget citing concerns over public safety cuts.
- Park, whose district includes wildfire-impacted Pacific Palisades, said she couldn’t support making the city less safe or responsive.
Reactions from Council Members and Officials
Councilmember Rodriguez criticized the budget for cutting the “Inside Safe” homelessness program by 10%, calling it expensive and lacking oversight. She highlighted that housing individuals in the program costs upwards of $7,000 monthly, excluding other city service costs like police overtime and sanitation.
Budget Committee Chair Tim McOsker said the fire department’s overall funding will rise despite fewer new hires, noting more police and fire spending would require layoffs in departments that maintain city streets and infrastructure.
McOsker also left open the possibility of increased police hiring later if the city’s finances improve or savings are found.
New councilmember Ysabel Jurado said the budget takes “structural steps” toward a more equitable Los Angeles, though it doesn’t solve all problems.
Layoffs Reduced but Still Looming
Bass’ original plan called for about 1,600 layoffs, including cuts in trash pickup, streetlight repair, and city planning. The council’s adjustments cut that number roughly in half, though up to 700 layoffs could still occur.
Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky expressed hope that union concessions, like unpaid furloughs, could prevent further job losses.
Budget Balancing Measures
To address the deficit, the council tapped $29 million from the city’s budget stabilization fund and planned to raise $20 million via business taxes and another $14 million from increased parking fines.
The council also restored funding for key services:
- Cultural Affairs positions to keep the historic Hollyhock House open.
- The Climate Emergency Mobilization Office, which was threatened with elimination.
- $1 million for Represent LA, providing legal defense for residents facing immigration proceedings.
- $5 million for animal services to keep city shelters open.
- Funding for streetlight repairs, road resurfacing, and bulky item trash pickup.
Despite these restorations, hundreds of LAPD civilian jobs, many related to forensic and specialized services, still face layoffs.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield summed up the mood, calling the revised budget “very bad” but better than the mayor’s original proposal, noting the city’s fiscal challenges remain severe.
Information sourced from:
- Los Angeles City Council Budget Meeting Reports
- Statements from Mayor Karen Bass and City Council Members
