Angelenos at Van Nuys hearing urge alternatives to mayor’s proposed FY25‑26 cuts and layoffs

Council members held a public comment session in Van Nuys on the mayor’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget, where dozens of residents, nonprofit leaders and city employees urged changes to the plan and warned of direct impacts if proposed cuts go forward.

Speakers focused on the mayor’s proposal to cut about 1,600 city positions and to restructure or eliminate several small, specialized departments and programs. Testimony described the effect of proposed layoffs on services that residents said are essential: senior centers and home‑delivered meals, animal shelter staffing and spay/neuter programs, day labor centers and immigrant legal assistance, city planners and transportation staff who design streets and housing projects, and civilian LAPD positions that handle records and investigations.

The hearing drew repeated pleas to preserve services for older adults. Multiple speakers, including Stephanie Galloway, president and CEO of Valley Intercommunity Council, and representatives of 1 Generation and Bernardi Senior Center, said seniors rely on daily meals, transportation and case management and urged the council…