Hearings on LA department budgets underway as labor leaders push back on mayor's proposed cuts

Labor union leaders and their members told a Los Angeles City Council budget committee on Monday that Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed budget cuts cause a reduction in services to residents that will likely result in dirtier streets and more accidents on sidewalks, among other problems.

Bass has proposed 1,647 layoffs across departments to deal with a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall. That’s about 5% of the city’s workforce.

The layoffs include 403 civilian support staff at the Police Department, more than 260 Transportation Department workers and 130 people at the Bureau of Street Services, which oversees street repairs.

The concerns

Union leaders told the council’s Budget and Finance Committee that the mayor’s plan to lay off workers will have a wide-ranging impact on the city.

“There will be an increase in hazardous waste buildup on the public streets and in homeless encampments,” said Marleen Fonseca, executive director of the Engineers and Architects Association. “There will be an increase in illegal dumping and industrial waste abuse.”

The association represents a range of workers, including street clean-up crews in the Sanitation Department.

Some labor union leaders warned the city’s already skyrocketing liability costs will go even higher because of the layoffs.

“You will have more workplace accidents because we’re short staffed,” said Lisa Palombi, president of the Librarians Guild. “You will have more accidents on sidewalks because services are being reduced across the city.”

Neighborhood leaders weigh in

Neighborhood Council leaders also denounced the budget cuts, which include reducing the budget for each neighborhood council from $32,000 to $25,000. “A budget cut would be devastating to NC’s who have little more than enough funds to cover their basic expenses,” said Kay Hartman, budget advocate for Region 11.

Jack Humphreville of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council called for deeper reforms to the city’s budgeting processes. “The city should establish an office of transparency and accountability that would provide independent real time information and advice on the city’s budget and finances.”

What’s next and how to attend

The City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will hear presentations from city departments over the next two weeks. The first one is Tuesday, April 29, at 1 p.m. inside City Council chambers.

Below is the schedule of budget hearings:

Location: John Ferraro Council Chamber Room 340, City Hall 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles
Time: 1 p.m.
Remote viewing: The hearing will be broadcast live on Cable Television Channel 35 and on the internet at https://clerk.lacity.org/calendar
Note: In-person only public comment.

Tuesday, April 29: Agenda

Presentation of the Proposed Budget by the Mayor's Office
Overview of the Proposed Budget by the City Administrative Officer Revenue:

• City administrative officer (CAO)
• General city purposes
• Reserve fund
• Unappropriated balance
• Capital finance administration (MICLA)
• Capital and Technology Improvement Expenditure Program
• Tax and revenue anticipation notes Exhibit H
• Personnel (presentation on layoff process)
• City attorney
• City controller
• Office of Finance/Treasurer General Services

Wednesday, April 30: Agenda

Consideration of the mayor’s 2025-26 proposed budget, including:

• Memo review
• Port of Los Angeles
• Police
• Fire
• Emergency management
• Personnel (includes human resources benefits)
• Information Technology Agency
• City Ethics Commission

Thursday, May 1: Agenda

Consideration of the mayor’s 2025-26 proposed budget, including:

• Memo Review CAO — homeless budget
• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (including Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles)
• Housing
• Economic and workforce development
• Youth development
• Aging
• Community investment for families
• Transportation
• Board of Public Works
• Public Works — Sanitation
• Public Works — Bureau of Engineering
• Public Works — Bureau of Street Services

Friday, May 2: Agenda

Consideration of the mayor’s 2025-26 proposed budget, including:

• Memo review
• Public Works — Bureau of Street Lighting
• Public Works — Bureau of Contract Administration
• Recreation and Parks
• Water and Power
• Office of Public Accountability
• Building and Safety
• Planning
• Cannabis regulation
• Disability

Monday, May 5: Agenda

Consideration of the mayor’s 2025-26 proposed budget, including:

• Memo review
• Airports
• City clerk
• Animal services
• Zoo
• Cultural affairs
• El Pueblo Library
• City tourism
• Neighborhood empowerment
• Civil + human rights and equity
• Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System
• Los Angeles fire and police pensions
• Any other city departments

Thursday, May 8: Agenda

Consideration of the mayor's 2025-26 Proposed Budget, including:

• Review memos
• General managers to answer questions on the following budgets, CAO comments follow.
• Any other city departments
• As needed budget discussions and instructions to staff

Friday, May 16: Agenda

Consideration of the mayor's 2025-26 Proposed Budget, including:

• Chief legislative analyst to report on proposed changes to the mayor's 2025-26 proposed budget, and related actions

How to watchdog local government

One of the best things you can do to hold officials accountable is pay attention.

Your city council, board of supervisors, school board and more all hold public meetings that anybody can attend. These are times you can talk to your elected officials directly and hear about the policies they’re voting on that affect your community.

• Read tips on how to get involved.