County’s $11.1-Billion Budget Plan Contains Widespread Cuts

Los Angeles County officials Friday released a “precariously balanced” $11.1-billion budget that for the first time in years would spare health programs while subjecting virtually every other department to cuts, including closing six fire stations and shutting the Museum of Art a second day each week.

In summarizing the document at a briefing, Richard B. Dixon, chief administrative officer, held up a sheet of paper with a question mark.

“The county is in a state of uncertainty,” he said.

State aid provides much of the money for county operations. As a result, the county spending plan will be shaped by decisions made in the corridors, meetings rooms and private offices of the state Capitol.

“We can’t control our destiny very much,” said Supervisor Ed Edelman.

The budget calls for establishment of an Office of Professional and Ethical Standards in the Sheriff’s Department, expansion of a Medfly trapping program, elimination of lifeguards at little-used beaches, and increasing birth control programs at county clinics and hospitals.

It is the first county budget to be drafted since newly elected Supervisor Gloria Molina joined Edelman and Kenneth Hahn in forming a liberal majority on the board. Under a decade of conservative control, the board steered money away from health and welfare programs to law enforcement.

The proposed budget does not significantly increase funding for AIDS programs or provide a cost-of-living increase in the $312-a-month welfare check paid to 55,000 general relief recipients, mostly homeless people. Dixon said: “It takes dollars to change priorities.”

Nor is there any money set aside for employee raises once union contracts for most of the county’s 85,000 workers expire Sept. 30, signaling possible labor strife.

“This doesn’t mean that it’s resolved,” said Ramon Rubalcava, research director for the county’s biggest labor union, Service Employees International Union Local 660. “What you have here is just Dixon’s policy statement.”

Dixon said the final budget would depend on a number of uncertainties, such as whether the economy worsens and whether the Legislature adopts a proposal by Gov. Pete Wilson to shift some state programs to the counties--an action that would boost the county budget to about $11.4 billion.

The proposed 1991-92 budget is 7.2% higher than the current spending plan. But it includes $66 million in cuts from current levels of services provided by the county. Tax revenues have not kept pace with the increasing demand for county services, budget officials said. For example, welfare rolls are at record-high levels. The increase also is because of the additional state monies allocated for jail construction.

Health and mental health programs, which have suffered deep cuts in past years, are spared this year. Dixon said the budget is based on “shaky assumptions” that the county will receive certain state and federal aid.

He said the county will face a $112-million shortfall in the health department unless Congress rejects President Bush’s proposal to end reimbursement to counties for health care provided to 800,000 immigrants in Los Angeles County who have applied for amnesty.

In coming weeks, department heads, county labor unions, advocates for the poor and others will deliver their pitch for more funds to the supervisors.

The county Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will be seeking $67,000 to pay for two counselors “to provide services to the returning Persian Gulf War veterans and to the large aging veteran population.”

Once supervisors know how much money they will receive from Sacramento--and whether they will have additional authority to levy taxes--they will attempt to fit their pet projects into the budget and reshape the budget to conform to their priorities.

Unlike the city of Los Angeles, “our ability to raise revenues is extremely limited,” Dixon said.

County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said he would recommend that supervisors levy a fee of $15 to $20 a year on single-family homes in 48 cities and unincorporated territory served by the county Fire Department in order to prevent cuts, such as the proposed closing of six stations.

Supervisors recently approved an increase in flood control benefit assessment from $23.50 to $24.83 a year for single-family homes. The increase affects most county property owners.

The supervisors are expected to begin responding to Dixon’s recommendations when the budget is presented to the board Tuesday.

The Budget at a Glance

Here are the highlights of Los Angeles County’s proposed $11.1 - billion budget: MUSEUMS AND ARBORETA: A total of $2.1 million would be saved when the Museum of Art closes one additional day a week, the Museum of Natural History discontinues exhibits and educational services and the Arboreta and Botanic Gardens reduce ground maintenance. FIRE: Five fire stations and three engine companies face closure. PARKS AND RECREATION: A reduction of $1.8 million, which would have a major impact on maintenance and protection of natural areas and equestrian trails. Local parks would have smaller staffs for after-school activities. PROBATION: Reduction of $4.7 million would result in the transfer of the high-risk offender caseload to the automated minimum service caseload and reductions in the School Crime Suppression Program. DISTRICT ATTORNEY: A $1-million cut, which would result in eliminating some drug programs. HEALTH: $1.5 million increase for full-year operating costs for the new AIDS Outpatient Clinic; $9.2 million for conversion of medical/surgical beds to intensive care beds and $1.2 million for added emergency room physicians at County-USC Medical Center; $3 million for development at Olive View Medical Center; $1.6 million to correct accreditation and fire safety deficiencies at three hospitals; and $3 million for family planning services at hospitals and health centers. SHERIFF: A $2-million increase covers the food budget to meet a projected increase in jail population. Budget includes $6.7 million for the opening of the Mira Loma Men’s Medium Security Facility with a staff of 115 and funds will be needed for the new Office of Professional and Ethical Standards. AGRICULTURE: Expansion of the Medfly trapping program to prevent widespread infestation and aerial malathion spraying. JAILS: $150-million increase, needed for the ongoing construction of the Lynwood And Central Jail facilities scheduled to open in 1994. SOURCE: County of Los Angeles Compiled by Times researcher Cecelia Rasmussen

PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET

Chart shows proposed expenditures and sources of revenue in the $11.1-billion Los Angeles County budget plan unveiled Friday. Total County Requirements: $11.1 Billion Social Services: 27% Health: 23% Justice: 22% Special Districts: 18% Other: 10% Total County Resources: $11.1 Billion State Assistance: 30% Property Taxes: 21% Federal Assistance: 20% Other: 29% Source: Los Angeles County