Mayor Eric Garcetti last week signed the city’s 2017-18 budget, a spending plan that his office said prioritizes fiscal responsibility and makes bold investments in L.A.’s future.

The budget funds aggressive work to curb homelessness, fix streets and sidewalks, and expand the Vision Zero initiative to make L.A.’s roads safer. The signing caps a month-long series of City Council hearings.

“This budget isn’t just a spending plan – it’s an expression of our values,” Garcetti said. “We’re making change that Angelenos can see and feel in their neighborhoods, and charting an ambitious course to the future we have imagined together. I’m grateful to my council colleagues for their hard work and collaboration on a budget that moves us closer to realizing our shared vision for this city.”

Mayor Garcetti signs the 2017-2018 city budget surrounded by members of the Los Angeles City Council.
(photo courtesy of the Mayor’s office)

The $9.2 billion budget allocates more than $180 million toward housing, cleanup and services to help homeless Angelenos, and more than $67 million in new spending to fix some of the city’s most broken streets and improve transportation. The budget allocates $27 million for traffic safety.

The budget also puts the funding voters approved with Proposition HHH and Measure M directly to use. More than $89 million of the $180 million allocated to fight homelessness is HHH funding, which will go toward new permanent supportive housing and service facilities for homeless Angelenos. And the $67 million for transportation will come from Measure M and California SB 1, a transportation package that will fund street repairs across the state.

In addition, the budget keeps a commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining a 5 percent reserve fund.

“This year’s budget strikes a balance between prioritizing everyday neighborhood needs with bold citywide initiatives,” said Los Angeles City Council President Herb J. Wesson, Jr., 10th District. “The mayor and City Council have worked together to ensure the city’s finances are on track.”

Councilman Paul Krekorian, 2nd District and chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, said the city government is doing everything possible to serve its residents and strengthen the city.

Councilman Mike Bonin, 11th District, said the budget is “smart, compassionate and it represents true progress for Los Angeles.”