LOS ANGELES – Residents and visitors to the Los Angeles Zoo can soon expect a $5 increase in the general admission after the City Council Friday approved raising the fees in the upcoming fiscal year.
In a unanimous vote, council members approved an ordinance to raise the general admission fee to the L.A. Zoo. There were no additional comments made by council members.
The fee schedule is expected to increase to the following:
— Tickets for children (age 2-12) will go up from $17 to $22;
— Tickets for adults (age 13 and over) will go up from $22 to $27; and
— Tickets for seniors (62 and over) will go up from $19 to $24.
The ordinance also showed that group rates for 15 persons or more stand at $24 for adults (age 13 and over) and $21 for children (age 2 to 12).
The new fees are expected to take effect July 1.
As part of the city’s budget process for fiscal year 2025-26, which begins Tuesday, elected officials outlined actions to address a roughly $1 billion deficit.
In these recommendations was a request to increase the zoo’s admission fees.
In April, elected officials increased trash collection fees for single- family homes and duplex buildings, a decision made to reduce a general fund subsidy for the service.
Additionally, the city is expected to move forward with a plan to lay off approximately 614 municipal employees.
Elected officials have discussed a proposal to reduce layoffs by transferring such workers to the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports and the Department of Water and Power. These three proprietary departments are not impacted by changes in the General Fund because they operate on revenue from their respective services.
The deficit was partially caused by overspending, new labor contracts and rising liability costs in connection with complaints filed against the Los Angeles Police Department, among other issues. These settlements have prompted elected officials to dip into the reserve fund, a rainy day account for emergencies.
January’s wildfires exacerbated the city’s financial condition, further reducing business and property taxes. Travel and tourism have also taken a hit, leading to lower revenue being collected from hotel taxes.
Of the layoffs on the table, about 248 Police Department civilian employees are expected to lose their jobs, as well as 57 workers from the Personnel Department, 44 sanitation workers, 41 Fire Department workers, 34 workers from information technology, 33 general services workers, 29 transportation employees, among others.
