Bill Would Allow County Fiscal Survey

Attempts to break Los Angeles County into smaller local governments have come and gone, but on Tuesday Gov. Pete Wilson signed a bill into law that could make it easier to do just that.

The bill, AB-303, provides a mechanism for cities within the county to finance a survey of the county’s fiscal condition and ability to provide services to inhabitants.

If shortcomings are found, then the study could be cited by breakup proponents as proof that the massive county government, which represents almost 10 million people, is too big to function properly, said the bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman George Runner (R-Lancaster).

“Local government is supposed to be responsive,” Runner said in an interview Tuesday. “Each county supervisor represents 2 million people. So who do you call when the dog is barking or the street light goes out? Being able to pick up the phone and talk to your [supervisor] is how it’s supposed to work.”

The law allows cities to band together to create the Los Angeles County Division Commission, which would conduct the survey at the expense of its member cities, Runner said. The commission would have to include cities with at least 20% of the county’s total population, about 2 million people.

Runner said that the commission would then have three years to complete the survey, which he estimated would cost about $1 million.

If not enough cities participate, then no commission could be formed, Runner said, adding, “But my personal belief is there will be.”

Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Westlake Village, Alhambra and Long Beach have already indicated support for the survey, Runner said.

Mike Murphy, an intergovernmental manager for the city of Santa Clarita, said that city has supported the legislation and will probably join the commission. He said that the city has a good relationship with the county in some areas, such as with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments, but relations are not so good regarding land-use issues.

For years, Santa Clarita has complained that the county is too eager to approve large developments just outside its city limits.

The new law does not necessarily mean the automatic dismembering of the county, nor should it, said Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts.

“Lancaster has received many advantages from being part of the county,” said Roberts, who listed the libraries and a new sheriff’s station in Lancaster as among the benefits.

“This survey will provide information we probably should know, but this is a great county and I think we’re going to find that they provide excellent service in many areas.”