Fiscal Responsibility & Management
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2008
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA PROPOSES “BUDGET FOR THE STREETS” - EXPANDING ROAD REPAIR AND POLICE PATROLS
Budget plan will solve a $406 million deficit while expanding street repair by 60 miles, protecting the 1000-officer police buildup, increasing funding for new fire fighters and making major investment in gang reduction and youth development
NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Delivering on his promise to make necessary spending cuts while preserving public safety and core services, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today introduced a budget proposal that addresses the deficit and keeps the City’s commitment to putting 1,000 new cops on the streets by 2010.
Facing tough economic times and a $406 million shortfall, the Mayor’s $7 billion budget plan proposes to reduce City spending by $1.50 for every dollar raised in new fees and fines. While committing the City to funding public safety and core services, the Mayor’s budget expands street repair and maintenance, reorganizes and increases funding for gang prevention and intervention programs, and maintains the City’s investment in police and fire services.
”This is a budget for the streets of Los Angeles,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “It solves the deficit while expanding road repair, increasing police patrols and focusing anti-gang efforts in the streets and neighborhoods suffering most by violence.”
Mayor Villaraigosa’s proposed budget tackles the coming year’s deficit by reducing spending and streamlining the workforce. The Mayor’s budget calls for the elimination of 767 civilian positions and anticipates the $23 million in savings from “short-term” layoffs, which could take the form of mandatory furlough days or reduced work weeks for civilian City workers.
For the first time since 1999, the Mayor’s budget does not call for the transfer funds out of the City’s reserve fund to balance the City’s books.
“We’re showing it’s possible to balance a budget responsibly like a family does. We’re putting an end to the practice of raiding our savings account to meet our monthly bills,” Mayor Villaraigosa said.
Placing public safety at the top of the agenda, this plan protects the police buildup, allocates funds to hire 780 new police officers, increases funding for the Fire Department, and invests more than $24 million in gang prevention, intervention and re-entry programs.
The Mayor is also expanding street resurfacing and maintenance to 735 miles of LA’s streets, and keeping the City on-track toward filling one million potholes.
In an effort to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion throughout LA, the Mayor is ensuring that the Department of Transportation synchronizes 348 traffic signals and installs 147 new left-turn signals.
“In challenging budget times, we need to concentrate on our core mission as a City,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “This budget focuses on our basic mission of fighting traffic, gang membership and violent crime.”
Working with City leaders and partners throughout City Hall, Mayor Villaraigosa’s budget demonstrates his commitment to responsible fiscal stewardship. The plan keeps his promise to reduce spending by $1.50 for every dollar raised in new revenue. It identifies nearly $140 million in reductions and efficiencies across City departments and builds up the Reserve Fund, pushing LA’s savings account closer to the goal of five percent of the General Fund.
The Mayor’s proposal reflects his administration’s top priorities and ensures that key services remain intact. Of the $3.78 billion in unrestricted revenue in this year’s budget, approximately 70 percent will be directed toward the police and fire departments to continue the police buildup and preserve the City’s emergency response system.
On top of the funds dedicated to securing LA’s neighborhood and protecting public safety, the Public Works, Transportation and Planning agencies receive close to 10 percent of the funds; the departments of Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs get just under seven percent; LA’s public libraries receive three percent; and the remainder of the money will go to a host of additional City programs.
Overall, City General Fund expenditures will grow by less than one percent in fiscal year 2008-09 – the lowest level of growth in five years.
In order to ensure that LA’s leaders improve the efficiency and accountability of City agencies, the Mayor’s office will continue to employ a wide range of performance measures and will publish the results of reviews and changes for every department on a regular basis.
Mayor Villaraigosa’s 2008-09 proposed budget will be available for download at http://mayor.lacity.org/budget/.