Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Barger Warns of Fiscal Strain as L.A. County Approves $52.5 Billion Supplemental Budget

Supervisor Kathryn Barger via Facebook

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $52.5 billion supplemental budget for fiscal year 2025–2026, marking what Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena and Pasadena, described as the final phase of the County’s annual budget process. In a statement, Barger warned of severe fiscal constraints and called for responsible stewardship amid mounting legal and financial pressures.

“The County’s $52.5 billion budget may sound vast, but the majority of funding is restricted to program-specific revenues, legal obligations, or one-time funds,” Barger said. She cited extraordinary financial burdens, including a $4 billion sexual abuse legal settlement, nearly $800 million in wildfire recovery costs, and federal funding cuts that are reshaping County services.

Barger linked the legal settlement directly to AB 218, the state law funding childhood sexual assault claims. “AB 218’s fiscal pressures are resulting in our County’s budget being headed to life support,” she said. “Almost a quarter of our budget is spent funding health and welfare services for some of our most indigent and vulnerable residents. Sadly, that’s where cuts will mostly be felt, since we’ve been forced to afford the AB 218 settlements.”

Despite the fiscal headwinds, Barger said the budget prioritizes essential services. It includes more than $160 million for homelessness and housing programs, including rental relief for wildfire victims. She also highlighted investments in technology guided by the McChrystal After-Action Report, calling them critical for long-term efficiency and service delivery. “Those investments will have my ongoing support,” she added.

Barger closed by urging County employees to remain vigilant and resourceful. “During this difficult time, Los Angeles County employees at all levels must leverage every resource and do their best to ensure people do not slip through the cracks,” she said. “That will be our collective responsibility.”