$6.9-Billion Budget for County Is Unveiled

A $6.9-billion spending plan for Los Angeles County that calls for beefing up law enforcement and children services, while reducing emergency care contracts with private hospitals and welfare department staffing, was unveiled Friday by Chief Administrative Officer James Hankla.

Among the proposals that are likely to trigger strong debate when they go before the Board of Supervisors for approval is one that would trim 336 positions from the welfare department at a time when welfare officials are reporting record caseloads.

Welfare Director Eddy S. Tanaka, in a letter to the Board of Supervisors, objected to the proposed cutbacks, warning that the county could be fined millions of dollars by federal and state authorities if welfare application errors are not detected. Hankla, while sharing Tanaka’s concern, said, however, he believes that other priorities require the welfare cuts.

At a briefing, Hankla told reporters that the spending plan “is a budget of bare essentials.”

Good News

The proposed budget had some good news for county supervisors, who will begin considering its adoption Tuesday. In January, Hankla had forecast a $180.2-million starting deficit beginning July 1. He said Friday that the defict has disappeared, because the county’s 39 departments tightened their belts in recent months. The county will actually wind up the fiscal year June 30 about $102 million in the black.

Hankla warned, however, that trouble could be right around the corner unless the state and federal governments begin helping the county deal with burgeoning jail, welfare and homeless populations. While his budget is balanced, includes no layoffs and represents a 4.5% increase in spending over last year, Hankla said, “Long-term fiscal stability has not been achieved.”

Hankla noted, for example, that the county could lose $67 million in federal revenue-sharing money unless Congress agrees to an extension of the program, which is set to expire Sept. 30.

“Our projections for 1987-88 indicate a potential shortfall in the $135.7-million range,” Hankla said in a budget message, adding that “this is a moderate estimate.”

Hankla added that there are more than $1 billion in “critical unmet needs” that are not included in his proposals and can only be addressed if more federal and state funds are provided. Among the unmet needs are the maintenance of county buildings and the replacement of county vehicles at a cost of $136.3 million, Hankla said.

The record budget proposal includes $20 million that Hankla urged be set aside for emergencies. At the same time, apparently recognizing that most of the county’s money is earmarked for state-mandated programs, Hankla reminded the supervisors that they could use the proposed reserve fund for “other meritorious reasons”--meaning that the supervisors could use the money to fund pet projects in their districts.

Last year, the board set aside $20 million, but that was consumed by employee raises.

This year’s spending plan, for the most part, continues to reflect the law enforcement-oriented priorities established in 1980, when conservatives took control of the five-member board with the election of Deane Dana and Mike Antonovich. There also were signs, however, that some of the social programs given a back seat in the past six years may get increased attention.

Hankla urged, for example, new funds to bolster Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner’s efforts against environmental pollution, child abuse, narcotics and juvenile crime. Also included was a $10.1-million proposal to create 184 new positions to help staff overcrowded jails.

At the same time that law enforcement programs were being recommended for increases, including funds for new computerized fingerprinting equipment, Hankla urged an increase of $11.4 million in mental health funding. The increases would go to cover programs to help the homeless and to treat and house mentally disordered sex offenders, children, the elderly and veterans.

Hankla also proposed that the fledgling Children’s Services Department receive $6.2 million in additional funds. Nearly 265 new positions would be added to fight child abuse and increase programs to find adoptive parents, while the staff at MacLaren Children’s Center, the emergency care facility for abused or neglected children, would receive 35 new people.