Page 13 - 2020-21 Budget Summary

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ERIC GARCETTI
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MAYOR

Dear Angelenos,

The past few months have been difficult for everyone. We have lost loved ones to
COVID-19. We’ve stayed home and created physical distance from one another.
Businesses have shuttered their doors and workers have lost their sources of income.
Every Angeleno, and every American, has felt the impacts of this crisis.

Our City’s financial future, like that of so many Angelenos, has changed and become

unpredictable. But one thing is clear: The road back to where we were will be long and
difficult. In light of the economic stresses we will face for the foreseeable future, we
need to tighten spending today to prevent more drastic measures tomorrow.

That’s why I am declaring a state of fiscal emergency as part of the 2020-2021 budget.

Our revenue growth rates have all but stopped. Our transient occupancy tax is again
expected to come in below prior-year levels. As Angelenos continue to stay Safer at
Home, there will be long-term reductions in our economically sensitive revenues.

My proposed budget seeks to maintain a balanced budget and preserve public health
and safety programs. To avoid the need to eliminate critical programs and services, this
plan calls for continuing our citywide hiring freeze while shifting a majority of City
employees to a schedule equivalent to working one fewer day every two weeks.