The Los Angeles City Controller says that officials are preparing to declare a fiscal emergency due to several factors, and over 600 layoffs are “on the table.”
City Controller Kenneth Mejia stated late Monday night that massive liability payouts, overspending and revenue shortfalls are the main reasons behind the fiscal emergency declaration.
“In order to balance the budget, 614 layoffs are on the table,” Mejia said on X. “The city will do its best to transfer employees [and] fill vacant positions.”
Mejia’s post included a bar graph breaking down the layoffs by department; of the 614 anticipated job cuts, 248 are under the “police – civilians” category. Other employees described as “personnel” made up the next largest chunk of layoffs, with 57.
- Police – Civilians: 248 layoffs
- Personnel: 57 layoffs
- Sanitation: 44 layoffs
- Fire – Sworn: 41 layoffs
- Information Technology Agency: 34 layoffs
- General Services: 33 layoffs
- Transportation: 29 layoffs
- Street Services: 24 layoffs
- Engineering: 23 layoffs
- City Planning: 14 layoffs
- City Administrative Officer: 10 layoffs
- Building and Safety: 9 layoffs
- Street Lighting: 8 layoffs
- Youth Development: 8 layoffs
- Civil, Human Rights and Equity: 7 layoffs
- City Clerk: 4 layoffs
- Community Investment for Families: 4 layoffs
- Disability: 4 layoffs
- Neighborhood Empowerment: 4 layoffs
- Contract Administration: 4 layoffs
- Economic and Workforce Development: 4 layoffs
- Public Works Board: 2 layoffs
- Aging: 1 layoff
In April, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass unveiled a $47.9 billion budget that officials said at the time was presented during a period of “unprecedented financial challenges.”
The budget was signed earlier this month.
City Controller Mejia noted just days ago that immigration raid protests cost L.A. taxpayers over $30 million. In addition, a $5 million loan was also approved by the City Council for the Los Angeles Police Department overtime during the unrest.
