With the city of Los Angeles facing a $300 million deficit, Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed budget for 2024-45 includes steep cuts for vital city services.
Too steep, according to the Bureau of Street Lighting.
“Our power line item is short about $7 million of what we expect to just have to pay our power bill to keep the lights on,” Miguel Sangalang, the bureau’s executive director and general manager, said during Friday’s City Council budget committee meeting.
Sangalang said if the mayor’s proposed budget is implemented without restoring at least $6 million, the department will have to choose between paying the power bill and keeping up with infrastructure maintenance.
City Controller Kenneth Mejia also said his office will barely be able to perform its basic responsibilities, like paying the city’s 43,000 employees, if their budget is slashed by $2.5 million as Bass proposed.
“This will eliminate 27 positions,” he said. “There will be delayed implementation of the city's budget, which has to go in by July 1st. If this is not in by July 1st, departments cannot use their money.”
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Bass’ proposed budget also includes massive cuts for street services, sanitation, and the fire department. Meanwhile, the LAPD would get a $138 million increase, accounting for more than a quarter of the entire budget.
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