LA County Budget Basics

The budget is the engine that powers the County’s work, funding critical services and programs and an ambitious agenda for an even stronger, healthier, more dynamic Los Angeles County. Here’s a snapshot of the budgeting process.

Measure H: How Funding
is Distributed Countywide

Understanding
LA County’s Budget

Understanding
LA County’s Budget (En Español)

The 2024-25 Recommended Budget
April 23, 2024

$43 billion 2023-24 Recommended Budget: Sustaining Commitments, Building Momentum

The $43 billion 2023-24 Recommended Budget marks Los Angeles County’s first spending blueprint since the end of the COVID-19 emergency and the start of the local emergency for homelessness.

The 2023-24 Final Adopted Budget
October 3, 2023

LA County’s $46.7 Billion Final Adopted Budget

This final budget for 2023-24 reflects the priorities of the Board of Supervisors and funds the County’s emergency response to homelessness, with a focus on resolving encampments; reforms to our justice system, including improving conditions within the jail system and working to move people with high acuity mental health needs into more appropriate settings; and a wide range of public safety net supports, including help for immigrants.

The 2023-24 Adopted Budget
June 26, 2023

LA County’s $43.4 Billion Adopted Budget: Prioritizing Critical Needs

This Adopted Budget reflects a $367 million increase and an additional 552 budgeted positions from the Recommended Budget approved in April. Funding underscores the urgency of improving conditions and mental health treatment in our County jails, restructuring our juvenile Probation system, and the need to move individuals into non-carceral care settings. The budget also bolsters funding related to both the homelessness emergency and our public health infrastructure, as well as supporting enhanced services for older adults, families, at-risk foster youth, immigrants, and low-income residents in need of a criminal legal defense.

The 2023-24 Recommended Budget
April 18, 2023

$43 billion 2023-24 Recommended Budget: Sustaining Commitments, Building Momentum

The $43 billion 2023-24 Recommended Budget marks Los Angeles County’s first spending blueprint since the end of the COVID-19 emergency and the start of the local emergency for homelessness.

Building a Blueprint for Change

The Recommended Budget is the first step in a blueprint for change and is the starting point, not the final destination.

Building a Blueprint for Change

The Recommended Budget is the first step in a blueprint for change and is the starting point, not the final destination.

How is the County Budget Spent?

Federal, state and locally-generated revenues fund a wide array of programs that the County is legally required to provide—like public health care, assistance to children and families, keeping our communities safe and running fair and accessible elections. The budget also funds culture, education and recreation, including world-class museums and beaches, an expansive park system and an extensive network of community libraries. It supports programs to address some of our toughest social problems and provides a wide range of services to seniors and youth, business and workers and our most vulnerable neighbors, including those experiencing homelessness.

Breaking Down the County Budget

Where the Money Comes From

Most of LA County’s budget is funded from state and federal sources and is tied to specific programs and services, some of which are mandated by law. These funds are not available to be used for other purposes. The County also raises money locally from property and sales taxes and by providing services to cities or agencies that reimburse the County’s costs.

Budget chart showing total resource allocation in the recommended budget

Where the Money Goes

Most of LA County’s budget is funded from state and federal sources and is tied to specific programs and services, some of which are mandated by law. These funds are not available to be used for other purposes. The County also raises money locally from property and sales taxes and by providing services to cities or agencies that reimburse the County’s costs.

Budget chart showing where the money is spent

How Locally Generated Revenues are Raised

The vast majority of locally generated revenues come from property taxes. Other sources include sales taxes, reimbursement for services—such as sheriff’s patrols in cities without their own police force—state realignment funds and monies unspent as part of the prior year budget.How locally generated revenue is collected

How Locally Generated Revenues are Spent

The County has the greatest flexibility and control in deciding how to spend locally generated revenues, but each year, there are more programs and services proposed than can be fully funded. The Board has also agreed to set aside 10% of locally generated unrestricted revenues to be allocated annually to direct community investments and alternatives to incarceration, under its Care First and Community Investment initiative to reduce the jail population.

Net County Cost by function

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