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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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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: Nicchitta presents the budget to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
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