$2.36-Billion L.A. Budget Calls for 100 New Officers

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley on Wednesday unveiled a $2.36-billion, election-year budget that is expected to minimize controversy on the campaign home front by boosting funds for law enforcement and for rebuilding the city’s overloaded sewer system.

Proposing an approximately 11% increase in spending despite cutbacks in some federal aid programs, Bradley called for an additional 100 police officers, a new crime laboratory and major expenditures for police computer systems.

Last year, Bradley vetoed the City Council’s effort to add the 100 officers, touching off an unusual City Hall political clash that the new budget would avoid as the mayor challenges Gov. George Deukmejian.

Bradley also is calling for a $147-million investment--up slightly from the current year--for upgrading the city’s sewer system, which has been plagued by spills in Santa Monica Bay and been an issue in the governor’s race.

$50 Million Needed

To reach that level of capital spending, the city must raise $50 million in new revenues.

Bradley said Wednesday that through use of long-term bond financing, and increases in sewer connection fees, the city now expects to raise the necessary funds with only a small increase in the city’s $5.60-a-year average sewer fee. Earlier estimates had been that the fee would have to rise sharply, but City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie said the anticipated increase next year would be $1 or less.

“This is a sound budget,” the mayor said. “One that we can live with and one that will not be a burden to our taxpayers.”

Police Chief Daryl F. Gates said he welcomed the proposed additional officers, which will bring the authorized force to 7,100. But he noted that the increase was far short of the 350 officers he had requested and still leaves the LAPD about 500 officers below its strength when he was named chief.

“I’m pleased to see (the mayor) is now moving in the direction the council wanted last year,” Gates said.

He also welcomed Bradley’s inclusion of $6 million to upgrade the patrol car dispatching computer system, $6 million to buy a sophisticated computer that quickly identifies fingerprints and $1.7 million for a new crime lab. The fingerprint computer in particular will be a “giant step forward” that will “help us solve many more crimes,” Gates said.

Although Gates and some City Council members may press for additional officers when the council considers the budget, it appears that Bradley will not face the kind of revolt that he did last year when the council attempted to add 200 police officers. Bradley vetoed the increase, insisting that the city could afford only 100 additional officer.

Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, chairman of the Finance and Revenue Committee and the leader of last year’s drive for additional officers, described the mayor’s budget as “very sound” and added “I don’t see us going beyond 100 more officers this year.

On rebuilding the city’s sewage treatment system, Bradley said, “I don’t know how we could do it without some increase in the sewer service charge.” The size of the sewer fee increase will be decided in the coming months. But Bradley, who has been criticized by Deukmejian for his handling of city sewage problems, stressed that the fee increase--which could be unwelcome baggage in his campaign--will be small.

Hazardous Materials

The mayor, who has attacked Deukmejian on environmental issues, also highlighted his increase in financing for a new Fire Department program to identify and more closely monitor hazardous materials used by commercial firms.

Attempting to polish his image as a government manager, Bradley noted that his proposed increases for law enforcement and environmental projects, as well as for maintaining a higher standard of tree trimming, street paving, library operations and recreation programs, comes despite a $29-million reduction in federal general revenue sharing. The mayor’s budget would add about 1,000 city employees, bringing the total to 28,813, and anticipates a nearly $40-million ending balance, up more than $7 million from last year.

City Administrative Officer Comrie said growth in tax receipts because of an improved economy have provided the funds to sustain the cutbacks and expand many programs.

1986-87 PROPOSED CITY BUDGET Unrestricted Revenues $1.6 billion 8% Library Recreation and Parks Cultural Affairs 19% Fire 43% Police 19% Public Works Activities 11% Other Unrestricted Revenues are 69% of the City Budget. Restricted Revenues (31%) include grants, sewer receipts, gas tax receipts, etc.