SAN CLEMENTE : Sheriff’s Officials to Discuss Proposal
As the city’s budget debate continues, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials will hold a public meeting tonight to discuss their proposal to take over law enforcement duties here from the police.
Assistant Sheriff Dennis W. LaDucer and Capt. Doug Storm will talk about what might happen if the City Council accepts the Sheriff’s Department proposal. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the San Clemente High School Little Theater and will include a question-and-answer period.
At the request of the City Council, the Sheriff’s Department recently proposed to assume law enforcement services for about $5.78 million per year, a savings of about $2 million.
Contracting for police services is among cost-cutting options outlined in a 300-page, long-term financial plan under consideration by the City Council to deal with the city’s worsening budget crisis.
Without an improved economy and major cuts in expenditures, the city could face a shortfall of $1.8 million to $3 million in each of the coming five years, according to city officials.
City officials are already projecting a $2-million deficit this year, which includes about $1.5 million in property tax revenue that could be taken by state government.
The council is expected to begin deliberating various options at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the City Council Chambers.
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