$44 million in early cuts OKd

The Los Angeles City Council approved $44 million in trims to the city budget Tuesday to help close a looming $130-million budget shortfall for this year, which had previously been projected to be $110 million.

The minor cuts -- which included a more stringent hiring freeze across the city except for the fire and police departments, a $1.8-million reduction in the city’s sidewalk repair program, a cut in zoo funding and measures including delaying the replacement of more than 50 police cars -- were a first step toward addressing the budget gap.

As early as Thursday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa plans to lay out his proposal for the remaining $86.6 million in needed cuts. He has asked the city’s police, fire and emergency management department to propose 1% cuts in their budgets, and the rest of the city’s departments have been asked to outline cuts totaling 3% of their budgets.

Among the hardest hit departments may be Recreation and Parks, which is facing a $6-million shortfall. Regina Adams, executive officer of the parks department, warned council members that the department’s deficit could mean reduced hours at city parks, and less mowing and restroom cleaning, as well as possible reductions in programs.

The city’s chief administrative officer told council members Tuesday that the city’s budget deficit for 2009-10 could be as high as $400 million, given the weakening economy.

-- Maeve Reston