Local News in Brief : Staff Increase Opposed

During lengthy deliberations on a proposed $5.1-million budget for the city of Lawndale, a three-member City Council majority opposed funding additional personnel positions during the 1988-89 fiscal year, with the possible exception of the Police Department.

City Manager Daniel P. Joseph, who took over management of City Hall on June 6, said his proposed budget calls for a reorganization of positions and hiring some new personnel, but overall has about five fewer staff members than the 71 on last year’s city payroll.

But Councilman Harold E. Hofmann insisted Thursday that, because Lawndale lost $1.68 million last year in a speculative securities investment, no new positions should be funded for the 1988-89 fiscal year. He was backed by Councilmen Larry Rudolph and Dan McKenzie. Rudolph said the only possible exception would be increased police staffing to counteract gang incidents in Lawndale.

Mayor Sarann Kruse and Councilwoman Carol Norman argued in favor of the city manager’s requests, but they are likely to be outvoted by Hofmann, Rudolph and McKenzie, who are close political allies.

Although no vote was taken during a three-hour hearing Thursday, the three councilmen objected to a $14,410 request for additional staffing in the city clerk’s office, up to $33,690 for a secretary to the city manager and $45,000 earmarked for the Chamber of Commerce. The council will continue budget talks at 7 p.m. Monday, at City Hall, 14717 Burin Ave.