The L.A. County government is contemplating a hiring freeze due to a $45 billion budget strained by factors such as devastating wildfires, numerous sex abuse lawsuits, and uncertainty surrounding federal funding. CEO Fesia Davenport warned supervisors that failing to act could lead to a fiscal crisis. The county has around 117,000 positions, with 13,000 currently unfilled. The freeze would allow exceptions for certain departments, including the Sheriff's Department and positions tied to wildfire recovery. The financial strain has been exacerbated by prior federal assistance and growing liabilities from a surge in lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse.
The L.A. County government is considering a hiring freeze due to a $45-billion budget facing severe pressures from wildfires, sex abuse lawsuits, and potential federal funding cuts.
Chief Executive Officer Fesia Davenport warned that without a hiring freeze, the fiscal situation could devolve into a crisis, putting many county services at risk.
County officials expressed concerns about implementing a hiring freeze without fully understanding its impacts, especially in relation to necessary staffing in critical departments.
Since changing the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases in 2019, the county has seen thousands of lawsuits, leading to potential liability in the billions.
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