Dixon Urges $425.1-Million Reduction in County Services

Responding to a state budget proposal by Gov. Pete Wilson that would sharply reduce allocations to local government, Chief Administrative Officer Richard B. Dixon called Friday for $425.1 million in cuts in Los Angeles County public hospitals, mental health clinics, the Sheriff’s Department and other county services.

In a memorandum to the Board of Supervisors, Dixon estimated that the county will face an $845.5-million shortfall in its budget for fiscal year 1993-94, which begins July 1.

Dixon said that in the coming fiscal year the county will face a more austere budget than this year, when the county implemented a variety of service cuts, including reductions in general relief welfare payments and library closures.

“None of the services curtailed this year can be restored and, indeed, virtually all county services will suffer further cuts,” Dixon wrote.

Dixon proposed a $195.6-million cut in the Department of Health Services and a $65.2-million cut in the Sheriff’s Department. Spending in the Department of Mental Health would be reduced by $38.5 million. The Probation Department would also take a $34-million cut.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to discuss the county’s budget crisis Tuesday. Dixon’s proposals are a preliminary recommendation to county department chiefs, who will soon begin drafting budgets for their agencies.

Earlier this week, Dixon informed the board that he would seek a 10% reduction in all county services and an 8.25% pay cut for all county employees.

In his letter to the board Friday, Dixon said the proposed pay cut would save the county $215.6 million. He also called for cooperation between county officials and union representatives in finding a solution to the budget crisis.

“It’s going to require a sharing of the pain and working together,” said Mary Jung, Dixon’s top assistant. “There will be service reductions this year. We don’t see a turnaround in the economy.”