Northeast Regional Budget Hearing on Tuesday

and chair of the City Council Budget and Finance Committee Paul Krekorian will preside over a special Northeast L.A. public meeting in Eagle Rock Tuesday to present data about this year’s City budget and projected shortfalls during 2012-13.

The so-called Northeast Regional Budget Hearing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the .

The agenda includes presentations by City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana and Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry F. Miller about the status of the 2011-12 budget and projected shortfalls in next year’s revenues.

Members of the public are invited to make comments as well as help generate ideas on how to balance the budget.

Those who are interested in attending might want to note the following key points in CAO Santana’s second quarter report on the budget in December 2011:

Based on expenditure data through October, most departments are projecting to complete the year within budget. However, two departments—Fire Department and Police Department—are reporting sizable deficits estimated at $19.2 million and $8.7 million respectively.

Both deficits have increased since they were initially identified in the First FSR, attributed to a $3.6 million salaries general shortfall from unrealized labor agreement savings (Police) and an $11.2 million increase in constant staffing overtime costs (Fire).

As instructed by Council in the First FSR (C.F. No. 11-0600-S145), the Police Department and Fire Department have developed operational plans to reduce their deficits. Additionally, there are new shortfalls currently estimated at $26.8 million that have been identified for the petroleum, bank fees, and workers' compensation expense items ($9 million, $2.8 million and $15 million respectively).

The budget provides approximately $35 million for the General Services Department Petroleum account, for which a shortfall of $13 million is projected due to rising fuel costs. Less the $4 million set aside for petroleum costs in the Unappropriated Balance (UB), approximately $9 million in additional funding is required. The budget provides $9.2 million to the Office of Finance for the bank service fees. Year-end expenditures are estimated to be $12 million, resulting in a projected shortfall of $2.8 million due to increased credit card usage.

The Human Resources Benefit Fund includes approximately $162 million for workers' compensation costs. However, the combined increase of permanent disability settlements, medical costs, and sworn medical liens has resulted in $15 million in expenditures above budget.

Finally, the cost of pension contributions for both sworn and civilian employees has increased by $27.7 million ($14.2 million and $13.5 million, respectively).

According to Eagle Rock Patch blogger and East Area Budget Advocate Heinrich Keifer, here are two core issues to think about for the meeting:

• What efficiencies or reductions in non-core services are acceptable to you?

• What are you willing to give up or do to help the city through this tough time?

Click here to see the results of the Budget survey, both citywide and by planning region. 

Women's 20th Century Club, 5105 Hermosa Ave. Contact: Legislative Assistant Erika Pulst, (213) 978-1075.