Budgeting is a multi-phased process designed to provide a balanced budget—as required by state law—and meet the needs of our diverse community of 10 million residents.
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.
LA County at Your Service
LA County at Your Service (Short Version)
Not All Funding is the Same
Understanding LA County’s Budget
Understanding LA County’s Budget (En Español)
Final Changes to the Recommended Budget
June 27, 2022
$39.7 Billion Final Changes to the Recommended Budget: Building Momentum
The Budget Deliberations/Final Changes phase builds on the momentum already established to advance crucial Board priorities as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, embark on an equity-focused recovery, and invest in new and continuing initiatives that support our residents and communities. The proposed changes will add $1.2 billion to the Recommended Budget adopted in April, for a new total budget of $39.7 billion, while also adding 1,063 budgeted positions, bringing the County’s budgeted workforce to 112,614 positions.
Key Documents
The 2022-23 Recommended Budget
April 18, 2022
$38.5 Billion Recommended Budget: Turning the Corner
Los Angeles County’s $38.5 billion Recommended Budget marks an important step forward in the County’s efforts to move safely through the COVID-19 pandemic and into a broad-based, equity-focused economic recovery.
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.
Budget Fast Facts and Fact Sheets
Breaking Down the County Budget
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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