We've been told Los Angeles's budget deficit is expected to total hundreds of millions of dollars. Does that mean the city is in for a "hiring freeze?"
As KNX News' Craig Fiegener reports, it depends on who you ask.
A closer review of the budget proposed by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass reveals a sobering reality. The city of Los Angeles must brace itself for the challenges of sluggish tax revenue and escalating costs, not just this fiscal year, but for the foreseeable future.
The increased costs are largely attributed to generous pay raises given to cops and to employees of other city departments.
City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo avoided using the term 'hiring freeze,' but the more he spoke, the clearer it became; it is definitely on the table.
"The proposed budget eliminates 2,139 positions that generate a savings of about $180 million. Eliminating these positions, these mostly vacant positions, is the essential component to balancing the '24 to 25 budget and regaining structural balance in the future years," said Szabo.
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During this fiscal year, which concludes at the end of June, Mayor Bass announced that the city hired 500 people. She proudly touted it as an accomplishment of her administration but said changes are coming.
"We will continue to hire, but our hiring moving forward will be approached with utmost strategic planning," she emphasized.
Bass says she is planning a 10% reduction in spending across the board, starting in her office at Los Angeles City Hall.
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