Neighborhood Council Budget Day 2026
About this Event
You are invited to participate in learning more about the Los Angeles City Budget. All City services and issues come down to budget.
The event starts at 9:00 a.m. and we invite you to join us for complimentary breakfast and networking starting at 7:30.
This year's in-person Budget Day will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall with a Plenary Session consisting of keynote speakers and a panel discussion on the current state of the City budget.
We present a powerhouse lineup including Mayor Karen Bass (confirmed), City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson (invited), Budget and Finance Chair Katy Yaroslavsky (confirmed), Controller Kenneth Mejia (invited), City Adminstrative Officer Matt Szabo (confirmed), Los Angeles local government and politics reporter Liz Chou (confirmed), Council District 3 Bob Blumenfield (confirmed), former Chief Deputy Controller Rick Cole (confirmed), and Assistant City Administrative Officer Ben Ceja (confirmed).
You will have an opportunity to share the concerns and issues of your neighborhood in the Regional Breakout Sessions so the Budget Advocates may bring them to the attention of City leadership. The Regional Breakout Sessions will also include the elections for the next term of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates.
Language interpretation is available. Please make requests via Eventbrite registration no later than June 23.
Free parking is available to those who register no later than June 24.
The Budget Advocates request you bring a reusable water bottle. There are water fountains available on City Hall's second and tenth floors where you can refill.
For more information, please visit https://www.budgetadvocates.org/budget-day-2026.
Agenda
🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:45 AM
Complimentary light breakfast and networking
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:05 AM
Welcome from Jay Handal
Info: Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates Co-chair
🕑: 09:05 AM - 09:15 AM
Welcome from Marqueece Harris-Dawson (Invited)
Info: City Council President, Council District 8
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:25 AM
Keynote from Karen Bass (Confirmed)
Info: Mayor of Los Angeles
🕑: 09:25 AM - 09:40 AM
Keynote from Katy Yaroslavsky (Confirmed)
Info: City Council Budget and Finance Commmittee Chair, Council District 5
🕑: 09:40 AM - 09:44 AM
Welcome from Carmen Chang (Confirmed)
Info: Department of Neighborhood Empowerment General Manager
🕑: 09:44 AM - 09:47 AM
Welcome from Len Shaffer (Confirmed)
Info: Board of Neighborhood Commissioners President
🕑: 09:47 AM - 09:50 AM
Gina Fields introduction and rememberance of Joy Atkinson (Confirmed)
Info: Board of Neighborhood Commissioners
🕑: 09:50 AM - 10:05 AM
Keynote from Matt Szabo (Confirmed)
Info: City Administrative Officer
🕑: 10:05 AM - 10:20 AM
Kenneth Mejia (Invited)
Info: Los Angeles City Controller
🕑: 10:20 AM - 10:25 AM
Budget Advocates Introduction from Kay Hartman
Info: Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates Parliamentarian, Budget Day Committee Chair
🕑: 10:25 AM - 10:30 AM
NC Budget Day Contributors Introduction from William Hurt
Info: Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates Treasurer
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:35 AM
New Budget Advocate Pam Bingham
Info: Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate from Region 4
🕑: 10:35 AM - 11:20 AM
Panel Discussion
Info: Los Angeles Government and Politics Reporter Liz Chou will moderate a discussion with panelists Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Assistant City Administrative Officer Ben Ceja, and former Chief Deputy Controller Rick Cole.
🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:25 AM
Thank you from Glenn Bailey
Info: Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates Co-chair
🕑: 11:40 AM - 01:00 PM
Regional Breakout Sessions
Info: Seven concurrent sessions organized by region to discuss City services in your neighborhood. See https://neighborhoodempowerment.lacity.gov/councils-by-service-region/ to find your service region. Elections of Budget Representatives to fill Budget Advocates seats will be conducted. Visit BudgetAdvocates.org for more information.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
