Mayor Signs LA Budget: More LAPD Recruits, But Service Cuts Remain

The Los Angeles City Council approved a revised $13.95 billion budget that avoids the deepest job cuts but still reduces funding for key city services. Mayor Karen Bass signed the budget on Friday and announced a deal with the City Council to bring back LAPD hiring.

What You Need to Know 

Key takeaways from the approved budget:

• Cuts layoffs from 1,647 to about 647.
• Restores 133 civilian LAPD jobs but cuts new officer hires in half, from 480 to 240. The mayor and Council will look for funding within 90 days to hire 240 more after the initial group.
• The Fire Department’s funding increase was reduced from $103 million to $48 million but includes more positions, paramedics, and resources.
• A new unit in the Housing Department was approved to better track homelessness spending after the County left LAHSA.
• Avoids cuts to planning, sanitation, and transportation. Tree trimming, sidewalk repairs, and streetlight upgrades will also move forward.
• Keeps funding for 911 dispatchers to cut wait times.
• Funds homelessness programs like Inside Safe but with less money.

The council voted 11–2 to approve the budget. Park and Lee voted no, while Rodriguez and Raman were absent.

How It Impacts You 

Emergency Response Could Slow: Fewer new police hires (in the short run) may lead to slower emergency response times. 

Some City Services May Be Slower: Tree trimming and sidewalk repairs are funded, but fewer city workers overall may still lead to delays in permits, sanitation, and transportation services. 

New Homelessness Bureau May Help: A new bureau could improve how the city manages homelessness, which may help property owners near encampments or homeless services. 

Advocating for Our Members

We contacted every LA City Council office to stress how vital public safety is for the comeback of Hollywood, Downtown LA, and other downtown areas—places that rely on commercial real estate. 

Councilmembers Traci Park, John Lee, and Monica Rodriguez voted no on this budget. As they too are worried that these budget cuts will hurt emergency services and public safety. We are happy to hear there is a deal to increase the number of new LAPD recruits.

Stay connected with BOMA on the Frontline for the latest updates on policies that affect you.