After four hours of public comment, the Los Angeles City Council recessed until 10 a.m. Thursday, when they’re expected to review revisions to Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed $12.8 billion spending plan for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
During Wednesday’s meeting, about 100 residents urged the council to reconsider cuts to social programs and city services. Some blasted the mayor’s proposal for allocating more than a quarter of the entire budget for the LAPD.
“The amount of money we are spending on the police is ridiculous,” one man said. “This budget does not make sense.”
Another man who attended the meeting told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener that the city should put more money toward unarmed mental health crisis responders instead of armed officers.
At a news conference outside of City Hall, organizers with L.A. Forward, Represent L.A. Coalition, the TransLatin@ Coalition, and other groups urged the City Council to invest an additional $6 million in safety response measures that don’t involve police.
"It is disheartening that securing this funding remains a challenge despite the widespread support," said Tracee Porter with L.A. Forward. "This is about justice and providing compassionate care for Angelenos including those with mental health challenges."
Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Eunisses Hernandez joined the news conference and backed the organizations’ message.
Other residents at Wednesday’s meeting called for the City Council to find more funding for daily services like streetlight and sidewalk repair, trash pickup, parks and recreation, and social service programs to support domestic violence survivors and immigrant communities.
Bass’ proposed budget would slash funding for street services so severely that the head of the Bureau of Street Lighting said the department wouldn’t even have enough to pay the city’s power bill.
"We are cutting down services that would make our streets safer for everyone," said Gillian Burgos, who’s running to fill City Council President Paul Krekorian’s seat in the November election. "Nearly half of the city's $6.8 billion in unrestricted revenue is being given to LAPD, literally a blank check of funds that will not be given back if unspent."
Last week, the budget committee adopted revisions to the mayor’s budget, including restoring 100 positions at the Bureau of Street Services and 85 at the Department of Recreation and Parks. The committee also allocated $6.5 million for domestic violence prevention programs.
At Thursday’s City Council meeting, councilmembers will go page by page through the revised budget, and any memos or items that would have a budget impact will be referred to the budget committee for further discussion. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield said the meeting will be scheduled until 7 p.m., but he expects they’ll get through their work earlier.
The City Council may approve the revised budget on Thursday, or further revisions may be necessary before a final vote. Following the council's approval, the revised spending plan would go to Bass for her signature or veto.
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Councilmember Traci Park told Fiegener she expects at least some of the council’s 15 members will vote no on the budget.
“I don't know where other council members are on it. I have a lot of concerns that haven't been addressed,” she said. “I wouldn't be surprised entirely to see some no votes on this.”
The budget needs to be approved by the City Council and Bass before the start of the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
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