LA County Residents Must Decide on 54 Billion Dollar Spending Priorities by Saturday

Los Angeles County is asking its nearly 10 million residents to determine how to allocate funds across its multibillion dollar budget. The county launched a series of short online surveys that remain open until Saturday, October 31. These tools allow residents to identify which programs they value most and which ones should be reduced.

The surveys cover 39 distinct county programs. Residents can provide feedback on specific departments, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Public Health, or Youth Development. Alternatively, they can complete a general countywide questionnaire. Responses are anonymous unless the respondent chooses to provide contact information.

County staff will review the survey data to guide budget planning for fiscal year 2027-2028. This fiscal year begins in July. The final budget recommendations for that period will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in April. The Board oversees services for one of the largest county governments in the United States.

Joseph M. Nicchitta, the County’s Chief Executive Officer, stated that the budget reflects the county's values. He noted that the primary goal is to maintain safety net services and meet essential community needs. Nicchitta said this includes health and mental health care, secure elections, emergency operations, and justice system support. He described gathering public opinion as a key part of the county's work.

The Board of Supervisors approved the final budget for the current 2026-27 fiscal year last month. That budget totals $54.2 billion. It prioritizes housing, safety net services, wildfire recovery, emergency preparedness, and civic engagement. The upcoming survey process will inform the next cycle of spending decisions.

Residents can access the survey through the county’s online portal. The deadline for submission is Saturday, October 31. The county uses these direct inputs to shape the financial plan for the coming fiscal year.