With a 12-3 vote, the Los Angeles City Council voted Thursday to approve Mayor Karen Bass’ revised $12.8 billion budget for the coming fiscal year.
The proposed spending plan is about $323 million less than that of the current fiscal year ($13.1 billion). Set to take effect on July 1, the plan brings cuts for various departments and services in hopes of addressing the city’s current deficit resulting from a revenue shortfall of $180 million and unexpected spending of about $289 million.
The plan includes the elimination of 1,700 vacant positions at agencies including those responsible for public works, transportation and city maintenance. This will free up allocated funds from the city to help cover recent pay increases for many of its workers over the past year.
Operation funding for the Bureau of Street Services (-$30 million), the Los Angeles Fire Department (-$22.9 million), and city sanitation (-$17.3 million) all face cuts in the millions.
Cathie Santo-Domingo, assistant general manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks, told Ethnic Media Services that if the proposed budget cuts and staffing reductions move forward, it would “cut the core of the department’s operations and maintenance of city parks and threaten the safety and well-being of park visitors.”
During Wednesday’s initial City Council meeting, dozens of city residents spoke during public comment to criticize cuts to social programs and city services. Others called out the budget for its allocation of over a quarter of all funds for the LAPD and the lack of additional funding for unarmed or alternative response programs.
On Thursday, Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez, Nithya Raman and Hugo Soto-Martínez all voted against the budget.
“I must recognize that this crisis is one of our own making. We did this to the city,” said Councilmember Hernandez who represents neighborhoods in CD 1 including Highland Park and Lincoln Heights. “This is the result of approving a contract last year that added a billion dollars over four years and raises for police officers, despite knowing… that it would result in exactly the budget crunch that we’re currently facing.”
Hernandez, Raman and Soto-Martínez all also voted against this contract last year.
Another issue of note was funding for the City’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) program. Critics said they wanted accountability on how money was being spent under the Mayor’s office. Members voted to move $12.9 million from the city’s unappropriated balance to the general fund to support GRYD.
These funds would be in addition to the $30 million funding the project’s efforts, money which is not as restricted in use when compared to the $19 million in the unappropriated funds that is subject to approval of specific reports and recommendations to the Mayor and Council.
Hernandez argued during the meeting that leaving these funds as is would not impact current contracts with GRYD or disrupt the work of its service providers.
The Mayor’s office plans to report to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee in June to share clarity on the GRYD program’s funding.
The city spending plan is now set to head for the Mayor’s signature or veto.
