LA Budget Cuts Spark Concerns Over Services Used by Inglewood Residents

Labor union leaders and neighborhood council representatives spoke out against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s proposed budget cuts during a City Council budget committee meeting on Monday, highlighting concerns that could impact public services accessed by Inglewood residents who work, shop, or travel in Los Angeles.

The budget proposal includes 1,647 layoffs across city departments to address a nearly $1 billion shortfall. These cuts represent approximately 5% of the city’s workforce and include 403 civilian support staff at the Police Department, more than 260 Transportation Department workers, and 130 people at the Bureau of Street Services.

Union leaders warned the budget committee that these reductions could lead to noticeable declines in public services that many South LA area residents, including those from Inglewood, regularly use when visiting or working in Los Angeles.

“There will be an increase in hazardous waste buildup on the public streets and in homeless encampments,” said Marleen Fonseca, executive director of the Engineers and Architects Association, which represents street clean-up crews in the Sanitation Department. “There will be an increase in illegal dumping and industrial waste abuse.”

Lisa Palombi, president of the Librarians Guild, expressed concerns about safety issues that could arise from reduced staffing. “You will have more workplace accidents because we’re short staffed,” Palombi said. “You will have more accidents on sidewalks because services are being reduced across the city.”

The budget cuts could affect Inglewood residents who regularly travel to Los Angeles for work, entertainment, or to access services not available locally. The Transportation Department cuts may result in increased traffic congestion, while reductions to street services could impact road conditions on major thoroughfares connecting Inglewood to downtown Los Angeles.

Neighborhood Council budgets are also facing reductions, from $32,000 to $25,000 annually, which could limit community engagement initiatives in areas bordering Inglewood.

The City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will continue hearing presentations from city departments over the next two weeks, with sessions focusing on police, fire, transportation, housing, and other critical services. The hearings are open to the public and will take place at Los Angeles City Hall, with in-person public comment available.

For Inglewood residents interested in attending these hearings or providing input on services that affect the greater South Los Angeles region, the committee will meet daily at 1 p.m. through May 8, with a final session scheduled for May 16.

This story draws on information from LAist and the Los Angeles City Council.