Riordan Budget Draws Fire From Council Panel

Mayor Richard Riordan’s $4-billion annual budget ran into tough criticism Monday on its first day of consideration by the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the City Budget.

When it was released two weeks ago, Riordan’s budget appeared to strike a conciliatory note with the council because it includes several of the members’ pet projects. The tone of Monday’s hearing, however, suggests that the approval process will be arduous.

The council’s budget panel raised several objections, particularly over how Riordan plans to pay for the staffing of various new and expanded facilities. The harshest criticism came from Councilman Richard Alatorre, chairman of the budget committee and Riordan’s strongest ally on the council.

As part of his proposed budget, Riordan calls for two bond measures--one of up to $465 million to build and expand police stations and fire houses and a $150-million measure to build or expand 30 libraries.

Alatorre grilled Riordan’s top budget advisor, Chris O’Donnell, suggesting that the mayor failed to provide a plan to pay for staff and operating costs for the new facilities.

“It’s not fair for you to make us balance your budget,” Alatorre told O’Donnell.

O’Donnell suggested that Riordan could find funding through improved government efficiency efforts.

“What happens if it doesn’t work?” an angry Alatorre asked.

“Then we have to reevaluate our priorities,” O’Donnell answered.

Alatorre also spoke crossly about a legislative analyst’s report that said the mayor’s budget doesn’t provide funding to staff 23 new or expanded recreation centers.

Riordan’s spending blueprint is $50 million smaller than last year’s, and eliminates 470 city jobs, most of which are currently unfilled.

After three years of funneling money into an unprecedented expansion of the Los Angeles Police Department, Riordan’s 1997-98 proposal shifts the focus to other quality-of-life services, such as trimming more trees, paving and sweeping more streets and keeping libraries open longer hours.

A key question that remained unanswered Monday was how the city will make up for the $10 million lost when voters eliminated a business tax in April.

Riordan has suggested taxing utility companies that tear up streets. The so-called “street deterioration fee” could raise $12 million to $16 million annually. But the city attorney’s office has yet to determine if the fee would be legal.

Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, another panel member, asked O’Donnell how he plans to make up for the lost revenue if the fee cannot legally be imposed.

“That would be painful,” O’Donnell said. “There is not a lot of fluff in the budget.”

Goldberg was also concerned about a Riordan plan to continue a longtime practice of raiding a special parking revenue fund that uses money from on-street meters to build parking garages. Riordan’s budget would take $12 million from the fund and use it for the Department of Transportation.

“I’m going to look at this very closely,” Goldberg said.

Some department heads and employees also found fault with the massive budget document.

More than 300 firefighters jammed the council chambers to oppose Riordan’s plan to eliminate 16 staff assistant positions.

Fire Chief William Bamattre urged the committee to retain those positions and convert them to spots for firefighters who can work at the fire stations and help reduce department response time.

Ken Buzzell, president of the union that represents 3,100 firefighters, agreed, saying: “Those 16 positions on the street can protect the safety of the firefighters and the citizens.”

O’Donnell said the mayor would not object to keeping the 16 positions if the council can find the funding to pay for them.