10th LaBonge Community Congress

Councilmember Tom LaBonge and city finance officials told about 125 residents of the fourth district tonight what the city’s $500 million budget shortfall for the 2009-2010 budget could mean to them. At LaBonge’s 10th Community Congress since being elected in November, 2001, officials explained the budget process and addressed priorities.
“The financial picture for the city of Los Angeles, like every government entity in the world, has changed dramatically,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “Because of the global economic crisis, Los Angeles has a smaller piece of the pie than usual. I’m talking to and listening to my constituents so that we can work well together, work harder and work smarter to accomplish what needs to be done.”
Councilmember LaBonge and Ray Ciranna, Interim City Administrative Officer, led the budget discussion, which was held at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens Auditorium. LaBonge presented results of an on-line survey his office conducted that analyzed residents’ budget priorities. The top priorities residents cited were public safety, preventing overdevelopment, and street repair and maintenance.
City officials presented information on how the budget process works, which areas may be trimmed and what departments could experience an infusion of funds from the federal stimulus plan. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa must release his budget proposal to the City Council by April 20th. The City Council will then hold a series of hearings over a three week period before voting on the budget.
Besides Councilmember LaBonge and Mr. Ciranna, other city officials in attendance were Bill Robertson, Director of the Bureau of Street Services; Lynne Ozawa, Office of the Chief Legislative Analyst and Debby Rolland of the Department of Recreation and Parks.