‘Boot Camps,’ Health Cuts in County Budget : Government: The proposed spending plan boosts crime fighting but trims social programs. The package could be in trouble if state funding falls short.

A $10.2-billion Los Angeles County government budget that beefs up law enforcement--establishing military-style “boot camps” for prisoners and hiring more sheriff’s deputies--but requires more deep cuts in mental health programs was proposed Friday to the Board of Supervisors.

In presenting the spending plan to supervisors, Chief Administrative Officer Richard B. Dixon warned that further reductions, especially in health services for the poor, are possible because of a state budget shortfall projected to be as high as $3 billion.

“Our future is in the hands of the state,” Dixon said.

The 3-pound, 11-ounce document, which proposes more spending than the budgets of 42 states, provides increased funding to relieve jail overcrowding and court congestion, reflecting the strong law enforcement priorities that have characterized the board’s conservative majority. Overall, the proposed budget increases county spending by 5.3% over the current fiscal year.

Funds are provided to establish experimental “boot camps.” In the camps, 16- to 18-year-old lawbreakers with a history of drug use would be subjected to strict regimentation, such as participation in close-order marches and, possibly, mandatory crew cuts, and would undergo drug counseling, said Chief Probation Officer Barry Nidorf.

Offenders would be offered a reduced sentence to encourage their participation in the voluntary program. A similar “regimented inmate diversion” camp is planned for adult prisoners.

The budget also provides funds for 100 more sheriff’s deputies, another team of deputies trained in policing gangs and overtime pay for more deputies to patrol the beaches during the summer.

Funds also are provided to expand a “rent-a-judge” program in which retired judges are hired to reduce the backlog of civil cases, and to build courthouses in several places, including Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, the Antelope Valley, North Hollywood and Pasadena. The money would come from court fines and not tax collections.

Overall, the county’s ailing mental health system would take the worst beating under Dixon’s proposal--facing a $10-million shortfall. That would force closure of a county mental clinic in San Pedro, reducing the number of county clinics from a high of 28 three years ago to 18.

County mental health Director Roberto Quiroz said Friday he believes the situation will get worse.

“Given the scenario right now at the state, we’re lucky if we get away with a $10-million shortfall,” he said.

Quiroz said he will recommend that supervisors consider performing “radical surgery” on the system by closing all but eight county clinics.

“This would be a clear message to the state that the county cannot be responsible for being all things to all people, and that our primary responsibility is to utilize public resources for those most in need,” he said in a memo to the supervisors.

The budget includes about $24 million in uncommitted money. But supervisors in the past have reserved that money for pet projects. They have complained about using county funds to bail out state-required programs, such as mental health.

In addition, county department heads have submitted to supervisors requests for additional money for such things as a public education program to encourage travelers to not carry in insect-infested fruit.

For the second year in a row, the budget also provides no cost-of-living increase in the $312 a month that the county pays to 50,000 mostly homeless general relief recipients. Dixon said the Department of Health Services’ $2-billion budget is “precariously balanced” because it relies on the Legislature to restore aid to counties that was cut from the state budget by Gov. George Deukmejian.

However, the county has posted notices at health facilities warning of $124 million in health cuts if the Legislature fails to come to the rescue.

“While this is a liveable budget,” Dixon said, “it is liveable only if the state is able and willing to meet its commitments to county government, which frankly at this point is in substantial question.”

State aid provides much of the money for county operations. Thus, the amount of state aid available--and the ultimate shape of the county spending plan--will not be known until passage of the final state budget, which could come in August.

Unlike cities, the county has no authority to raise taxes, Dixon said.

Supervisors will begin public hearings on the spending plan June 4 before debating changes.

The budget adds 2,885 employees to the county work force of 81,101.

BUDGET AT A GLANCE

Here are some of the highlights of Los Angeles County’s proposed $10.2-billion budget:

Courts: Nearly $62 million for design and land acquisition for new courts in West Los Angeles, West San Fernando Valley, North Hollywood, South Bay, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Southeast and Antelope Valley.

Jails: $73 million for continuation of $552-million jail construction program to be completed by fiscal year 1994-95, adding 4,400 beds to the system. Planned is expansion of Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles and construction of Lynwood Regional Justice Center.

Fire: $8 million for land acquisition, design and construction of 11 new and replacement fire stations in such places as Lancaster, Lawndale, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Dimas and Florence. Another $6.4 million provides additional paramedic squads and engine companies for rapidly growing areas of the county.

Libraries: $17.6 million to increase the staff and expenditures for books and materials at 90 community libraries, and to expand fire and security systems and support the new automated book circulation system. Funds also are provided for design, construction or expansion of libraries in Hacienda Heights, Lancaster, Lawndale, Marina del Rey and Maywood.

Health: $40.7 million to restore outpatient services; help meet federal funding and professional accreditation requirements in hospitals; provide diagnostic, treatment and therapy services to children with major medical problems; expand bed capacity to help relieve pressure on county emergency rooms; expand immunizations, and finance 20 obstetrical beds, contract out more deliveries to private hospitals and increase staffing for prenatal care at Olive View Medical Center.

Sheriff: $12.1 million to add 100 new sheriff deputy trainee positions; staff sheriff’s gang enforcement teams at various stations; add more detectives; finance the operation of the new Lost Hills sheriff station scheduled to open August, 1990; augment patrol services in the unincorporated areas of Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys, Lynwood and Malibu and additional patrol services for beaches; and expand the district attorney’s prosecution of juvenile hard-core gang members, major narcotics offenders, adult hard-core criminals and organized crime.

Compiled by Times Researcher Cecila Rasmussen

PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET

Chart shows proposed expenditures and sources of revenue in the $10.2billion Los Angeles County budget plan unveiled Friday. Total County Requirements: $10.2 billion.

Social Services: 27%

Special Districts/Funds: 18%

Health: 23%

Justice: 21%

Other: 11%

Total County Resources: $10.2 billion.

State Assistance: 30%

Other: 30%

Property Taxes: 21%

Federal Assistance: 19%