The Los Angeles City Council has approved a $15‑billion budget for FY 2026–27 in a 12–1 vote, preserving Mayor Karen Bass’ plan to hire 510 new LAPD officers to offset ongoing retirements and resignations. By June 2027, the department is expected to have 8,555 officers, down from roughly 10,000 in 2020, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times via Yahoo News.
Councilmember Traci Park cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing the budget shortchanges the Fire Department and reduces homeless encampment cleanups in her district, which spans from Los Angeles International Airport to Pacific Palisades. Park said the plan could lead to slower emergency response and dirtier beaches, and criticized the city for deferring fire‑related investments until after a proposed November sales‑tax measure goes before voters.
Supporters of the budget highlighted investments in sidewalk repairs, tree trimming, unarmed crisis‑response teams, and the city’s safe parking program for residents living in vehicles. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez also noted funding for solarizing streetlights to prevent neighborhood‑wide outages.
This year’s budget process was markedly calmer than last year, when the city scrambled to close a $1‑billion shortfall. The new plan increases city reserves to strengthen borrowing terms ahead of a planned $1.8‑billion bond issuance for Convention Center upgrades—an effort budget leaders say could save tens of millions in interest costs.
The budget now heads to Mayor Bass for final approval.