The Committee on Budget and Government Operations holds the first round of budget hearings on Nov. 6, 2024. [Livestream]

City Council hearings on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $17.3 billion 2025 budget began Wednesday with council members hearing from the leaders of Johnson’s budget and finance team on the budgets for the mayor’s office, budget office and finance department. 

During the hours-long hearing on Wednesday, some on the council budget committee questioned the Johnson administration’s proposal to hike property taxes to avoid layoffs and a reduction in services, saying he should have considered cuts instead.