County OKs ‘temporary’ $22.7-billion budget

Los Angeles County supervisors on Monday passed a $22.7-billion budget even as questions remain about funding for health services, welfare and the Sheriff’s Department.

The spending plan is $494.2 million less than the current budget. Supervisors achieved the reduction by eliminating 1,720 positions, most of them already vacant, and extending a $47-million freeze on hiring and nonessential purchases announced in February.

They hope to save $5.5 million more by eliminating excess phone lines and legal bills.

The cuts come at a time when county revenues are falling -- they have dropped roughly $89 million since the budget was proposed in April -- and as departments such as social services and child support have seen caseloads skyrocket because of the economy.

“We know this has placed a significant burden on departments, but again, with the uncertainty of what the state is doing, we need to be prudent,” said William T Fujioka, the county’s chief executive.

County departments cut between 7% and 15% from their budgets, and Fujioka’s office is looking for 2% more in potential cuts.

“If the state takes significant dollars, we need to be ready,” Fujioka said.

He warned that additional cuts may cause layoffs.

The county is the largest employer in Southern California with more than 100,000 full-time workers, about half represented by Service Employees International Union Local 721. The county is preparing to enter contract negotiations next month.

About 1,000 workers gathered outside the downtown county building Monday night before marching to the Ronald Reagan State Building to protest state cuts.

“There are no furloughs and cuts but it’s going to be a different story if there are cuts statewide,” said David Green, 38, of Los Angeles, a county social worker and member of the Local 721 executive board.

The county budget does not provide for an expected $236.3 million in state budget cuts next fiscal year.

“To me it’s just a temporary budget,” said Supervisor Don Knabe, who chairs the board. “This budget means no layoffs, no furloughs, no cuts in pay. But with second- and third-round cuts from the state, there’s no guarantees.”

County leaders failed to account for several department shortfalls, including $277 million for health services and $25 million for the Sheriff’s Department.

As part of the budget, county leaders approved a 10% cut to public health, about $9 million, but they plan to revisit the cuts next week.

They also postponed considering plans to overhaul county-funded welfare, or general relief, for four weeks.

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molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com