County OKs Tentative $2.2-Billion Budget, Hikes Trash Landfill Fees

The Orange County Board of Supervisors adopted a tentative $2.2-billion 1988-89 budget Wednesday and raised trash fees at the county’s four landfills, a move expected to add about 60 cents a month to the average $6 residential trash bill.

The tentative budget was approved after supervisors heard that some county programs might still have to be cut back, but the outlook is not as bad as it was described by county officials only a few weeks ago.

Officials described the budget adopted Wednesday as a “placeholder” document that will be in effect until a final budget can be adopted, probably in August, after the state Legislature determines how much money will be given to local governments.

The new fiscal year begins Friday.

The supervisors are scheduled to hold hearings on the budget late next month.

County Administrative Officer Larry Parrish told the supervisors Wednesday that the county is still about $35 million short of what it needs to maintain all of the county’s jobs and programs at their present levels.

That figure, however, is down from a $55-million shortfall just a few weeks ago, he said.

“This ($35-million) figure will, in my opinion, drop dramatically,” Parrish said. “But we will have trouble maintaining all of our programs.”

Officials said that as they close out this year’s financial records, they are finding some unspent or carryover funds that account for the $20-million reduction in the projected deficit.

All of the department heads in the county were asked recently to submit budgets that were 10% below what they need to maintain their service levels. Under that reduction, officials estimated that at least 400 jobs would be lost and that some key programs in different county offices would be eliminated.

John Sibley, programs manager for the county administrative office, said the $35-million shortfall is roughly equivalent to a 10% cut in each department.

The county is still waiting to hear from the state Legislature about what it can expect to receive in state grants. The Legislature is also still considering a program to assume the cost of operating the county courts that would save Orange County at least $15 million.

The vote on the budget was 4 to 0 with Supervisors Chairman Harriett M. Wieder in Sacramento attending a state convention of county supervisors.

In other action Wednesday, the supervisors approved the first increase in the county’s trash dumping fees since 1983. Even with the increase, however, county officials said the rate will continue to be the lowest in Southern California.

Currently, it cost $6.12 for each ton of trash dumped at any of the county’s four landfills. In January, that rate will be increased to $9.50. In Riverside and Los Angeles counties, however, the fees are up to $12, said R.A. (Bert) Scott, director of the county’s General Services Agency.

The Orange County Solid Waste Assn., which represents the trash hauling companies, told the board Wednesday that it supports the increase.

County officials said another trash fee increase may be necessary in July, 1989--to $11.50 per ton. The issue will be reviewed again, however, before another increase is implemented, Scott said.

He said a jump to $11.50 would add about another 20 cents to the average consumer’s monthly bill.

In other action Wednesday, the supervisors voted 4 to 0 to let the new city of Dana Point decide the fate of a proposed 60-room hotel on a bluff overlooking the harbor. The issue is highly controversial in the area because residents said it would dominate the landscape of their scenic harbor.

The supervisors postponed the matter until January, when Dana Point’s cityhood takes effect.

Three of the five council members-elect asked the supervisors for the delay.

More than a dozen residents from the community testified against the project in a one-hour public hearing Wednesday. Ten speakers were in favor of the hotel.