Brief

Councilmember John S. Lee moved to transfer funds within the Los Angeles Fire Department's sworn overtime salary account to support out-of-city wildfire deployments and fire prevention safety watch operations. The motion was introduced September 15, 2026, and is currently pending review by the Budget and Finance Advisory Committee and Budget and Finance Committee. The proposal addresses resource allocation for emergency firefighting operations beyond city limits.

Full summary

Councilmember John S. Lee introduced this motion on September 15, 2026, with a second from Katy Yaroslavsky, because LAFD's sworn overtime salary account is at risk of running dry as early as the September 2, 2026 payroll date — well before the First Financial Status Report is expected to reach City Council in early November 2026. The shortfall stems from three overlapping demands: out-of-city wildfire deployments, member recalls used as emergency staffing to keep all 106 fire stations covered during personnel shortages, and fire prevention safety watch at special events. Both the wildfire deployments and safety watch activities are cost-recovered — reimbursed by CalOES, CalFire, other responsible agencies, and event organizers respectively — but the department needs cash in the account now to meet payroll in the interim. The motion directs the Controller, subject to mayoral approval, to transfer $20 million within Fund 100/38, the Fire Department fund. Specifically, $10 million would move from Account 001012 (Salaries Sworn) and $10 million from Account 1093 (Overtime Constant Staffing), both redirected into Account 001092 (Overtime Sworn) to cover the projected deficit. The motion also authorizes the CAO and Controller to make any technical corrections needed to carry out the intent of the transfer. The urgency is underscored by the fact that LAFD conducted 17 out-of-city deployments in July and August 2026 alone during what the motion describes as another severe brush season across the Western states. As of September 15, 2026, the file has been referred to the Budget and Finance Committee and is also pending in the Budget and Finance Advisory Committee. It has not yet advanced to a full Council vote. Given the stated urgency around the early-September payroll deadline, the pace of committee review will be a key factor to watch.

Activity (1)

• 2026-09-15 Motion referred to Budget and Finance Committee.

Documents (1)

• 2026-09-15 Motion · motion