Sheriff Budget Cut

Sheriff's Budget Cut
May 6, 2002
02-93

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is angry with the county budget process because he has been handed a heavy burden in the form of what he calls a $102 million budget cut. He is so upset with the budget plan that he's calling for an independent audit of county spending.

There is some disagreement as to the amount of costs the Sheriff's Department will have to absorb, but KNX says it's very clear the Sheriff needs some help.

The department is going to have to absorb costs of pay raises, increased worker's compensation, debt service, a strip search settlement and overspending. We feel those are areas where the county should offer significant help because the Sheriff has little control of these items. If the county's allocation covered those areas, we believe the Sheriff could come up with other efficiencies to keep operating increases in check.

No one dismisses the fact that public safety is top priority and that includes the Board of Supervisors. The budget cuts are too much. KNX believes the Supervisors should okay the independent audit.