O.C. Fire Dept., Libraries in Peril : Budget: Proposals to close stations, reduce hours are the most drastic yet to be heard by county supervisors grappling with state plan to shift tax revenue to schools.

In less than a month, county residents could see locks placed on two fire stations and library hours scaled back a dramatic 44%, because of budget cuts forced by the state’s plan to shift local property tax revenue from special districts to public schools.

That scenario is expected to get even worse later this summer, when officials said they could be left with no choice but to close some libraries permanently, and become increasingly dependent on volunteer firefighters.

As outlined to the county’s Board of Supervisors, the proposed library and fire department cutbacks were the most devastating of all the recommended service reductions presented in two days of public budget hearings that closed Wednesday.

“This is very, very dramatic,” Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez said of the proposal to take $3.8 million from the library system. “I want to be sure that we have exhausted every alternative. Frankly, I think we are going to have a very difficult time explaining to the public why we have this many libraries closed.”

Facing a probable $11.5-million cut in funding, and the resultant loss of nearly 20% of his work force, Orange County Fire Chief Larry Holms said: “It is very important for the public to understand . . . the blame for this rests squarely on the steps of the state Capitol.”

Because it is unclear what funding formulas the state would use in shifting $2.6 billion in local revenue to fund education, budget officials said Wednesday’s budget scenarios actually were the most optimistic plans for county government.

If approved by the supervisors on June 22, most of the proposed cuts would be implemented by July 1. No action was taken by the board on Wednesday. Overall, county officials have proposed $80 million in cuts to balance the 1993-94 budget.

Considering the severity of the proposed cutbacks for basic services, perhaps the most surprising development Wednesday came when only one county resident rose from the audience to speak about the county’s budgetary plight.

“The credibility of government is so poor that people really don’t believe there is a budget crisis,” said the Fullerton woman who, following her remarks to the supervisors, asked that her name not be used. “It’s a sad state of affairs.”

For the 27-branch library system, County Librarian John A. Adams said the proposed budget reduction would surely mean a total restructuring of staffing and operating hours.

Currently, most of the county’s libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. By July 1, officials have proposed new operating hours from noon to 6 p.m. and:

* Closing all branches on Fridays;

* Limiting regional facilities in Irvine, Garden Grove and San Juan Capistrano to five-day weeks, remaining open on only three evenings until 8 p.m., and

* Closing eight branches three days each week, with significant cuts to evening hours. At the Leisure World Branch in Seal Beach, for example, evening hours would be totally eliminated.

Adams said new or increased fees for such things as overdue library books and special book ordering are being formulated for possible board consideration later this month.

He said the budgetary outlook is not likely to improve before the board is scheduled to vote on the cuts, and said notices were already being distributed in each of the libraries, notifying the public of operation changes.

Although Vasquez asked that Adams seek other options that could save some operating hours, the administrator said he believed there was little left to cut elsewhere.

“We’ve exhausted our (budget) reserves for the coming year,” Adams said.

Vasquez, however, called on the librarian to study whether cities would be willing to contribute money to keep their branches open longer and to cut out such services as video and tape rentals that could be obtained by the public from commercial outlets.

“The impact of these closures will be very swift and very powerful,” Vasquez said. “Our only salvation is that we are entering the summer season when kids will be out of school.”

Meanwhile, the County Fire Department was looking at two possible scenarios that would slash between $11.5 million and $42 million from its budget, depending on which plan the state adopts for shifting local property tax revenue.

Neither of the plans were winning praise from supervisors Wednesday. But the most likely proposal would shut down one fire station on Santiago Canyon Road in Orange, and another at John Wayne Airport.

The airport station is one of two at that location, and would not affect the county’s response to air crashes or major fire emergencies at the airport, a fire official said. The targeted station provides some medical unit response to the terminal areas, but largely serves residents in the Santa Ana and Newport Beach areas.

The Santiago Canyon station is largely responsible for the protection of the Silverado and Modjeska canyons and at least 500 homes in that area.

“Quite frankly, you’re leaving residents in that canyon area void of protection,” said one fire official assigned there who declined to be identified. “We’re all on eggshells over here. We’re resigned to the fact that this station will be shut down. It’s sad.”

At the lowest level of cutbacks, Chief Holms said the reductions would also wipe out 148 full-time positions and reduce staffing on some truck companies. Of that total, 101 positions would be firefighters and/or medics, according to the department’s proposal. It wasn’t immediately known how many individuals would actually face layoffs.

Although it was not listed as a probable result, the possible loss of $42 million would mean the elimination of 393 positions or 50% of the full-time work force, Holms said.

Regardless of the funding reductions, Holms said the 48-station department would be become more dependent on its volunteer staff. Taking even the lowest funding cut, the department has plans to make one additional station an all-volunteer operation.

“Right now, we have a highly professional fire operation,” Supervisor Roger R. Stanton said. “I’d hate to see that professionalism threatened in any way.”

Budget Director Ronald S. Rubino said the county would use reserve funds to keep the department operating at current levels until at least Oct. 1. Following that date, Rubino said it was almost certain that the department would be forced to implement the recommended cuts.

Wednesday’s session ended with two supervisors lamenting that cuts of 10% mandated for all board offices were achieved without eliminating staff positions in any of the supervisor’s offices.

“The whole goal was to reduce the management budget,” said board Chairman Harriett M. Wieder, who along with Supervisor Thomas F. Riley have each offered to cut one staff position. “How do you (make those cuts)? You do it with bodies.”

NEXT STEP

As a final county budget is hammered out, look for the following: On June 14, county employees have scheduled a rally outside the Hall of Administration to protest a recommended shift of local property tax revenue to fund public education in the state. On June 22, the board is expected to approve a proposed budget in time for its July 1 deadline. On Aug. 24-Sept. 2, public hearings will be held on the proposed budget. On Sept. 28, the board is scheduled to a adopt final budget.