LA budget committee adopts list of special studies for 2025-26 with amendments

The Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee on June 4 adopted a package of special studies requested during the budget hearing process for fiscal year 2025–26, approving amendments that deleted one study and added reporting requirements for several items.

Committee members voted 4–0 (Councilmember Hutt absent) to approve the list as amended, with Yaroslavsky, Blumenfield, McCosker and Councilmember Eunicea Hernandez recorded as voting yes.

The committee removed R21 from the list because prioritized critical hiring was sunsetted in exhibit H of the budget, and amended R31 to require the Department of Cultural Affairs to report back to Budget and Finance in addition to the Arts, Parks, Libraries and Community Enrichment Committee. Councilmember Blumenfield offered technical amendments that clarified instructions to the Chief Legislative Analyst to report on city services and to request the mayor and CAO report to the Public Works Committee on options for long-range capital planning tied to the DWP model. Blumenfield also added the Municipal Facilities Committee to a directive optimizing city-owned facilities and leases.

Chief Legislative Analyst staff read the item and recited the proposed amendments during the hearing. The chair invited additional amendments and, after discussion, directed the clerk to call the roll on the amended list.

The vote adopted the amended report and the committee chair noted a hope to hear the majority of the studies in the fall.

Ending: The committee adopted the amended list of special studies and closed that item; members said they expect follow-up work later in the year as departments prepare the requested reports.