The Los Angeles City Council has approved a $14 billion budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, making significant cuts to Mayor Karen Bass’ public safety initiatives. This decision comes in response to a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall, aiming to prevent layoffs for around 1,000 city workers.
During a recent council meeting, the budget was passed with a vote of 12 to 3. The approved plan reduces funding for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), allowing the hiring of only 240 new officers instead of the 480 proposed by Bass. This means the LAPD will have approximately 8,400 officers by June 2026, a decrease from about 8,700 this year and a stark drop from 10,000 officers in 2020.
The council also cut the number of new hires for the Los Angeles Fire Department, which was especially concerning given recent wildfires in the Pacific Palisades area. While Bass had proposed hiring 227 additional firefighters, the council allocated funds for just 58 new positions.
Three council members—John Lee, Traci Park, and Monica Rodriguez—voted against the budget, mainly due to the cuts to public safety. Councilmember Park expressed her concern about the implications for safety in her district, which includes areas affected by recent wildfires. Rodriguez criticized the budget for not reallocating enough funds from Bass’ Inside Safe program, which addresses homelessness but has faced scrutiny for its high costs and lack of oversight.
Despite these cuts, some council members defended the budget, arguing that it still represents a necessary compromise. Councilmember Tim McOsker highlighted that while the police and fire departments are essential, funding them at the expense of other city services, such as street repairs, would not be sustainable.
The council’s plan aims to avoid the layoffs originally proposed by Bass, which could have affected around 1,600 city employees. With the new budget, the number of potential layoffs is reduced to about 700. However, further layoffs could still occur if the city’s unions do not agree to financial concessions, such as unpaid furlough days.
This budget reflects the city’s ongoing financial challenges, driven by rising legal costs, lower-than-expected tax revenues, and scheduled pay raises for city employees, which are projected to cost $250 million in the upcoming fiscal year. To balance the budget, the council has tapped into the city’s stabilization fund and approved plans to increase business tax revenue and raise parking ticket fees.
The council’s decision is not final; a second vote is required next week before it can be sent to the mayor for approval. As the city navigates its financial landscape, the impact of these budget decisions on public safety and city services remains a pressing concern for residents and officials alike.