LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass yesterday signed a balanced budget and announced that she has secured an agreement with City Council leadership to restore LAPD hiring levels. Council leadership will identify funds for an additional 240 recruits within 90 days. The money will be used after LAPD fulfills hiring 240 officers.
“This budget has been delivered under extremely difficult conditions–uncertainty from Washington, the explosion of liability payments, unexpected rising costs and lower than expected revenues,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “This budget continues to aggressively combat the homelessness crisis and invest in emergency response and vital city services like street repair, parks and libraries. I want to thank the City Council for coming together on this deal as we work together to make Los Angeles safer for all.”
“This has been one of the most difficult budgets we've faced. The budget approved today is both responsible and responsive to the challenges our city faces.” said Council President Harris-Dawson. “Along the way to alignment, there were healthy discussions and differing views. And I would like to commend the Mayor and the Budget Chair for staying focused on what is best for the City of Los Angeles. No one got everything they wanted. There is still more work ahead, especially our commitment to work with the Mayor to identify the funds for an additional 240 recruits within 90 days. We will share further updates in the weeks ahead.”
The budget signed today preserves vital city services like street repair, traffic management and maintains parks and library programming. Since announcing her budget, the Mayor has continued to be laser-focused on decreasing the amount of expected layoffs as Council made their considerations. Separate from that process, the Mayor instructed staff to explore innovative solutions such as transferring positions to other departments, like the Port and Airport, and working with General Managers and labor partners on developing other alternatives. That work will continue into the coming fiscal year.
The balanced City budget includes:
Restoration of more than 1,000 city positions at risk of layoff to ensure delivery of vital services like pothole repair, traffic management, positions that support future housing development and more.
New investments in the Los Angeles Fire Department with more positions, funding for more paramedics and other resources and support.
All sworn officers and firefighters are funded.
Continued funding for 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers to lower wait times.
Protection for homeless funding so people don’t end up back on the streets – homelessness is down for the first time in years in LA.
Resources to continue driving the Palisades recovery forward with urgency.
Library, Recreation and Park facility hours maintained.
Support for capital infrastructure projects are included, such as:
Staff for the planning, coordination of LA Convention Center
Funding for Sepulveda Basin improvements
Recreation facilities in San Fernando Valley & South LA
All positions preserved for the Emergency Management Department with a priority to expand with future funding.
Continued funding for RepresentLA to provide legal representation to Angelenos.
Funding to keep all Animal Shelters open and add strategic additional staffing support.