LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Despite a $220.9 million budget deficit heading into
the coming fiscal year, Los Angeles County officials said today they will be
able to close the gap without resorting to layoffs or requiring workers to take
unpaid furlough days.
County Chief Executive Officer Williams Fujioka said his proposed $23.3
billion budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year includes $35.7 million in spending
cuts, use of one-time funding and the elimination of 257 vacant positions to
help eliminate the shortfall.
The county will not have to tap into its ``rainy day fund' or economic
reserves to balance the budget, he said.
``The county of Los Angeles remains better positioned than most other
state and local governments to manage these extraordinary events,' Fujioka
said, referring to the lingering impacts of the recession and increased demand
for county services.
``Continuing to maintain service levels, avoid significant layoffs and
produced a balanced budget will only be possible to the extent recent economic
indicators showing signs of improvement are sustained,' he said.
Fujioka noted that sales and property tax revenues are expected to
increase by 0.7 percent in 2011-12, marking the first year-over-year increase
since 2006-07.
The county's budget situation could dramatically change, however,
depending on budget talks in Sacramento. The county could lose $366.4 million
through funding cuts being proposed at the state level. Since those cuts are
still the subject of heated debate at the state Legislature, they were not
factored into the budget proposal.