The City Council Wednesday delayed its second and final vote on its annual budget resolution for fiscal year 2025-26.
The City Council scheduled a vote on the matter for Wednesday, but it was postponed to Friday’s meeting as staff continue work on the paperwork. It also needs to be submitted to the appropriate council file before council members can consider it.
Last week, the City Council preliminary approved the revised $14 billion budget. It requires a second vote before the spending plan can be sent to Mayor Karen Bass’ desk for her consideration.
Council members have touted the revised budget saves 1,000 jobs that were proposed for layoffs and maintains core city services.
Key aspects of the revised spending plan approved by the council last week include money for 240 new police officers over the coming year, down from 480 proposed by the mayor; and 58 new employees for the Los Angeles Fire Department, also a reduction from 227 proposed by Bass.
Overall, the police and fire departments are expected to receive a year-over-year increase in their operational budgets. Council members Monica Rodriguez, Traci Park and John Lee opposed the revised budget, citing concerns with resources allocated to public safety.
The council also reduced spending in Bass’ signature program, Inside Safe. But Rodriguez had said more money should have been shifted out due to lack of oversight and its cost.
Meanwhile, Councilman Tim McOsker had emphasized that without cost-cutting measures to the city’s public safety departments, it would have resulted in more layoffs and threats to core services such as street repairs, sanitation, street lighting and much more.
He reiterated that the council could have an opportunity to increase police hiring if the economic outlook improves.
The deficit is a result of overspending, costly liability payouts, lower tax revenues, labor contracts and fire recovery, among other challenges. The city is expected to cover $250 million due to labor agreements in 2025-26.
City Council members also agreed to use $29 million in the city’s budget stabilization fund to help address the deficit. Additionally, they expect to collect an additional $20 million in business tax revenue and the city is expected to increase the cost of parking tickets, which could raise $14 million.
The revised budget includes $5 million for the Animal Services Department, which Bass called for; funding to continue the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office; among other things.