Agencies Say Budget Won’t Meet All Needs

County officials on Wednesday outlined more than $10 million in new jail beds, health services, social programs and other “critical needs” not included in the county’s $3.6-billion draft budget.

The additional requests were presented during a public budget workshop, which gave top county managers an opportunity to explain the unmet needs and financial pressures facing their departments before the Board of Supervisors considers the 1996-97 budget in coming weeks.

The budget avoids major service cutbacks or layoffs. But some county officials and residents said Wednesday that it does not begin to meet the growing demands for public protection, health care and other government services.

Chief Probation Officer Michael Schumacher, who asked for $1.4 million to reduce severe overcrowding at Juvenile Hall, said: “We can’t deal with the group we have right now with our budget unless there is some augmentation.”

County departments ranging from the district attorney’s office to the registrar of voters submitted about $106 million in new spending requests. Some of them could be funded with state or federal grants, but others would require additional county money.

Some of the requests, totaling $12 million, received “critical” rankings by the county budget staff and will be given special consideration when the Board of Supervisors holds formal budget hearings Aug. 27-29.

But with the county still struggling to recover from its 18-month bankruptcy, the board only will be able to grant a few of the requests.

Officials now are examining the closed books on the 1995-96 budget to see if any unused revenue is available. The county already has identified about $48 million in savings from last year’s budget that can be used this year. An increase in property tax assessments might provide another modest financial boost.

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Despite the pleas for more money, some supervisors have expressed little interest in expanding government just two months after the county emerged from bankruptcy.

Supervisor Don Saltarelli and others want to place excess money toward early repayment of the massive debts the county took on as part of its bankruptcy recovery plan. By retiring the debts early, the county would avoid hefty interest payments.

Saltarelli said this week that he would consider some budget increases if the county places at least $15 million in a bond repayment account.

“I think we need to hold the line as much as possible,” Saltarelli said. “But I would be willing to entertain other items if we get a significant amount of money for bond repayment.”

The Probation Department’s request for more funding is expected to receive serious examination by supervisors because of overcrowding at Juvenile Hall, which was designed for 374 inmates but now houses about 500.

The department wants to spend $1.4 million to place some inmates at two Santa Ana city jails. It also has proposed reinstating an electronic monitoring program for inmates under “house arrest” by using a private contractor who can provide the service at no cost to the county.

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Another proposal likely to generate debate is a request by the Community Services Agency for about $250,000 to keep Orange County’s only veterans services office open. Under the current budget, the Santa Ana office will close Sept. 30, forcing veterans and their survivors to use facilities in Westwood or Long Beach for services and pension information.

“Closing that office would be very difficult for veterans. . . . It’s a 2 1/2-hour bus ride to Westwood,” said Vanda K. Bresnan, a retired Marine Corps officer who attended the Wednesday workshop. “It’s certainly something the county can afford.”

Other requests include $580,000 to upgrade the child welfare case management system and $20,000 for accounting and payroll system improvements, as well as funding for various data system needs.

The county’s courts face a $40-million budget shortfall. But officials hope a new state funding proposal now being considered in Sacramento will fill most of that void.

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Wish List

County officials on Wednesday outlined more than $100 million in new funding requests not contained in the current $3.6-billion county budget. Officials hope the Board of Supervisors will consider the requests later this month. Some samples:

Department / Agency: Probation Department

Request: 112 beds at Santa Ana jails to relieve Juvenile Hall overcrowding

Cost: $146,000

Department / Agency: District attorney

Request: Add deputy D.A. position for domestic violence program

Cost: $110,000*

Department / Agency: Community Services Agency

Request: Keep county’s only veterans services office open

Cost: $242,000

Department / Agency: Health Care Agency

Request: Add 77 new mental health beds

Cost: $488,000*

Department / Agency: Social Services Agency

Request: Upgrade computerized case management system

Cost: $580,441

* Funds could come from state or federal grant

Source: Orange County 1996-97 Budget Workbook; Researched by SHELBY GRAD / For The Times