LA County Unveils $48.8 Billion Budget Proposal

Budget aims to shore up social services and prepare for looming federal cuts

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:24am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A geometric abstract illustration composed of overlapping triangles and rectangles in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the scale and complexity of LA County's $48.8 billion budget.LA County's massive budget reflects the complex fiscal challenges facing the nation's largest local government.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles County has released its proposed $48.8 billion budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which removes funding for 81 vacant positions but avoids any layoffs. The budget is in a 'holding pattern' as the county braces for significant federal Medicaid cuts in the following year that could impact crucial health and social services for the county's 10 million residents.

Why it matters

As the largest county in the nation, LA County's budget serves as a bellwether for the fiscal health and priorities of local governments across California. This budget proposal reflects the county's efforts to maintain core services in the face of looming federal funding cuts, while also investing in areas like public defense, emergency management, and alternatives to incarceration.

The details

The $48.8 billion budget proposal does not include any layoffs, but does remove funding for 81 vacant positions. It represents a 7% decrease from the previous year's budget. While the budget is not robust, it aims to shore up funding for critical social services like food assistance, healthcare, and homeless programs that could be impacted by anticipated federal Medicaid cuts of over $660 million next year. The budget adds $63.2 million in new ongoing local funding, including $12 million for public defenders and $9.9 million for the Office of Emergency Management. It also allocates $300 million toward legal settlements and $40 million for future judgments, while setting aside $2.8 billion in unspent funds from the previous year for deferred capital projects and other one-time expenses.

  • The budget proposal will be presented to the LA County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Public hearings on the recommended budget are scheduled to begin on May 6, 2026.
  • Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for September 2026.

The players

Joseph Nicchitta

Acting Chief Executive Officer of LA County, who will present the budget proposal to the Board of Supervisors.

LA County Board of Supervisors

The governing body that will review and ultimately adopt the county's budget.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“LA County is currently in the eye of a hurricane. We are doing all we can to prepare for the next phase of the storm.”

— Joseph Nicchitta, Acting Chief Executive Officer

What’s next

The Board of Supervisors will review the budget proposal on April 14, 2026, and public hearings will be held starting on May 6, 2026. The final budget is scheduled to be adopted in September 2026.

The takeaway

LA County's budget proposal reflects the difficult fiscal realities facing local governments, as they work to maintain critical social services in the face of looming federal funding cuts. The county's efforts to shore up food assistance, healthcare, and other programs highlight the importance of these services for the region's 10 million residents.