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LA County CEO proposes $48.8 billion budget, warns of federal funding cuts
Seal of L.A. County. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
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Samanta Helou Hernandez
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LA County CEO proposes $48.8 billion budget, warns of federal funding cuts
Los Angeles County’s CEO on Monday proposed a $48.8-billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
Topline:
Los Angeles County’s CEO on Monday proposed a $48.8-billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 that avoids broad cuts, but warns reductions in federal funding could hit the county hard.
The details: The budget by acting CEO Joseph Nicchitta recommended a net decrease of 81 budgeted vacant jobs for a total of 115,885 positions. It includes $63.2 million in new ongoing local funding for programs and services.
Social service and public defender increases: Family and social service programs would see a $40.1-million bump in funding. That would help protect 1,000 Department of Public Social Service jobs that provide CalFresh services, according to a county statement. The budget plan also includes $12 million more to support public defenders, given increasing caseloads.
Federal policies: Federal policy changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, enrollment and work requirements set to take effect in the next fiscal year “are expected to have a devastating impact on those programs,” according to the statement. The Department of Health Services budget reflects an estimated $662.2 million decline in federal support to maintain the current level of services.
The future: “LA County is currently in the eye of a hurricane,” Nicchitta said. “Previous cuts of 8.5% and a hiring freeze helped balance our spending plan, but we’re preparing for major new budget impacts to our health and social services departments in 2027.”
What’s next: After a presentation of the proposal, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to accept the report. Hearings are scheduled to happen in May, and changes are expected to be made in June before the board adopts the budget.
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