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ON THE BUDGET - The Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates delivered its annual White Paper on the City budget and services to Mayor Karen Bass and other City elected officials as detailed in link below. Thank you for considering our budget recommendations to the City.
Dear Mayor Bass, City Council, CAO, and City Controller,
As our City faces a projected $1 billion budget deficit, it is imperative that our leaders explore all available options for cost savings and revenue enhancements. We urge you to take a strategic and thoughtful approach, avoiding the mistakes of past administrations that implemented across-the-board cuts without considering their long-term impact.
History has shown that indiscriminate reductions — especially in revenue-generating departments — can have unintended consequences. Likewise, downsizing critical administrative functions, such as Personnel, can leave the City struggling to recover when economic conditions improve. Instead, we must take a measured approach that prioritizes efficiency while ensuring that essential services remain funded to the best of the city’s ability.
Now is the time to evaluate the structure of City departments. If certain departments are no longer necessary, it may be prudent to restructure or consolidate them. Additionally, if cost savings can be achieved by eliminating external office leases and relocating staff to City Hall or other City-owned buildings, we should pursue those opportunities. This is also a good time to evaluate work-from-home opportunities to reduce the City’s reliance on office space for its workers.
This is a pivotal moment in our city’s history. It is not a time for politics but for responsible financial stewardship. We must make tough but rational decisions. This is also an opportunity to think about what kind of City we want in 10 years and structure the decisions accordingly.
After many months of discussions with the various departments, the Budget Advocates developed a list of recommendations to the City that is attached to this letter. This is a preliminary list and given the March 19 budget announcement by City Administrative Officer Szabo, we need to review it for continued relevance of some of the recommendations.
The Budget Advocates remain committed to serving the city, its citizens, and its employees — both now and in the long run. We are here to assist in navigating these challenging times, and we look forward to working together toward a sustainable financial future.
Sincerely,
Glenn Bailey: Co-Chair, Jay Handal: Co-Chair
Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates
Budget Advocates White Paper
(Glenn Bailey and Jay Handal, co-chairs of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates.)
