CITY PANEL URGES L.A. TO PAY ITS SHARE OF SECESSION STUDY.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Despite continuing reservations, a city panel recommended on Wednesday that Los Angeles come up with its $225,000 share to cover the costs of a $2 million study on breaking up the city.

The City Council's Budget and Finance Committee urged the full council to provide the funds to the Local Agency Formation Commission for studies on creating separate cities in the San Fernando Valley and harbor area.

Councilman Mike Feuer, repeating his opposition to secession, said he would support the funding as a way to analyze the data because it will help the city regardless of whether there is a break-away movement.

``I am very strongly opposed to secession,'' Feuer said. ``I think we ought to focus our collective energy on the problems we all see. We all want an increase in services and greater efficiencies. I am just very skeptical that secession is a way to achieve those goals.''

Councilwoman Rita Walters agreed with Feuer, saying she felt the money would be better spent elsewhere.

``It occurs to me the money the state is putting in, the money the county is putting in, the money we are putting in would go more positively toward some of the needs the Valley has, that the rest of the city has,'' Walters said.

The city's share is 10 percent of the total cost of the study, with the County of Los Angeles putting up a similar amount and the state financing the remaining $1.8 million.

Jeff Brain, president of Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment, said the study will benefit all of the city.

``All the questions people have about services will be in the study,'' Brain said. ``After it is done, the people of Los Angeles will be able to make an informed decision.''

Even without secession, he said, the LAFCO review would be able to pinpoint what services the city does provide and at what cost.

``This is information you as council members can use to make your decisions,'' Brain said.