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SAVE THE DATE – On June 21, the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates will present Budget Day 2025. This year’s theme is City Services: Budgetary Transparency and Accountability.
Budget Day reveals the City’s financial priorities, impacting everything from local neighborhood services to Citywide infrastructure. Come learn how your tax dollars are allocated and voice your opinions on services delivery in your neighborhood. Your presence and voices shape the future of our City and its neighborhoods.
The topic of discussion has a profound sense of urgency and responsibility. The harsh reality of a projected $1 billion deficit this fiscal year demands our collective attention to reimagine our City’s priorities. “Due to an anticipated decline in General Fund revenue, and increased costs for labor and supplies, the City must either cut spending or raise revenue to fill a nearly $1 billion shortfall”, wrote Council District 3 Councilmember Bob Blumenfield in his electronic survey on 4/18/25.
The Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, comprising elected members from each of the City’s twelve Neighborhood Council Service Regions, including the Valley, Central Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, and the Harbor, advocate for budget and services accountability, transparency, and transformation.
The Event will start at 7: 30 AM with breakfast on the 3rd floor Rotunda of City Hall; there’ll be plenty of time to network, chat, visit with old friends and acquaintances, and reach out to create new friends. The 9:00 AM Plenary Session includes confirmed speakers: Chair of the Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee, Katy Yaroslavsky; Chief Deputy Controller, Rick Cole; City Administrator Officer Matthew Szabo; and, City Controller, Kenneth Mejia.
Even if a person does not have a clue of how the City Budget works to provide the services we depend on, guests will find Budget Day fascinating and uplifting. Before long, you will get the gist as you sit and listen in the John Ferraro City Council Chambers. In Controller Mejia’s presentation on Thursday, 4/17/25 via zoom, he identified the year, not long ago, when the General Fund revenue was larger than the city expenditures. Soon after, the city deficit started to increase. Controller Mejia’s statements at Budget Day are always insightful .
Following the Plenary Session, all present are invited to attend Regional Breakout Sessions to discuss the state of City Services in your neighborhood. There will also be Budget Advocates elections to fill any open positions in the region. If you have interest in serving as a Budget Advocate and there is an opening in your Service Region, be sure to ask your Neighborhood Council to appoint you a Budget Representative as only Budget Representatives may run.
Budget Advocates are sustained by Neighborhood Council contributions. Please agendize a contribution to Neighborhood Council Budget Day at your next Neighborhood Council board meeting.
Budget Day registration will be via Eventbrite and will be available closer to the event. Register as soon as Eventbrite becomes available as space is limited. Free parking will be available at City Hall. For additional information visit BudgetAdvocates.org.
Budget Day reflects a commitment to addressing and prioritizing our essential services, while aiming to enhance public safety and improve infrastructure to reduce the City’s liabilities to build a more resilient, equitable, and thriving city. This event will help us understand the Budget for the next fiscal year and prepare us to look forward to participating in the budget for the following.
(Connie Acosta is a dedicated community advocate in Los Angeles, actively involved in both the Echo Park Neighborhood Council (EPNC) and the city's Budget Advocates program.)
