Council advances personnel 'transfer portal' aimed at avoiding layoffs; weekly committee meetings planned

Councilmember Tim McCosker told the Los Angeles City Council that the Personnel Committee circulated a report on item 5 and moved it forward at this morning's meeting, starting implementation of a personnel "transfer portal" intended to avoid layoffs.

"We are beginning the process in our personnel committee of meeting with personnel and affected departments and coming up with the lists of available opportunities for transfer," McCosker said during his remarks. "Also, unfortunately, the list of potential layoffs, and we'll be meeting weekly with personnel and the affected departments to come up with ways where we can continue to preserve the services that need to be preserved, or can be preserved, and also preserve the jobs of our valuable workforce."

The council voted on the measure after the committee report was posted; the clerk recorded the roll call on the item and announced "14 ayes." Councilmembers discussed that the measure initiates lists of transfer opportunities and establishes a weekly check-in structure between Personnel and affected departments as the city implements budget decisions that might otherwise result in staff reductions.

The action is framed as an implementation step in the city's broader budget process. Councilmember McCosker said staff will report regularly on progress to the council as the portal and personnel discussions proceed.

What's next: Personnel and affected departments will meet weekly to identify transfer opportunities and mitigation strategies; staff will provide periodic updates to the council on implementation and outcomes.