MAYOR CALLS FOR BUDGET PRUDENCE RESIDENTS POLLED FOR SPENDING PRIORITIES.Byline: DANA BARTHOLOMEW Staff Writer Facing the potential loss of $250 million in revenue next year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. called on neighborhood council leaders Saturday to help cut costs while creating a world-class city. The specter of belt-tightening came as Villaraigosa said Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. could lose $220 million in utility user taxes and $30 million in Department of Water and Power transfer revenues. ``The loss of these revenues could provide the perfect storm -- a Katrina for the city of Los Angeles
``One of the hallmarks of this administration is fiscal accountability -- making the adjustments to living within our means,'' he said. The mayor also trumpeted city success in improving public safety, transportation, education and the environment, in line with previous neighborhood council community budget survey recommendations. But he also said the city would likely see another hit to its projected $6 billion budget. At risk is up to $220 million in utility user taxes for cell and telephone use now tied to a soon-to-be scrapped Federal Excise Tax Excise Tax 1. An indirect tax charged on the sale of a particular good. 2. A penalty tax applied to ineligible transactions in retirement accounts. This penalty is assessed by and paid to the IRS. Notes: 1. . Another $30 million in water transfer revenue is expected to be lost in connection with a state Supreme Court judgment. Despite the cuts, Villaraigosa said residents could recommend a budget that balances prudence with filling potholes, planting trees and safeguarding children on their way to school. ``We need to have more in the way of resources to combat crime, and we're going to do it,'' the mayor said. ``Los Angeles is a 21st century global city. ``We need to build a world-class transit system. We need to grow green ... and really push our Million Trees program.'' The community budget survey, titled ``Moving L.A. Forward,'' seeks input from neighborhood council members and stakeholders in setting priorities for the next year's budget. City officials, neighborhood council members and residents praised the new survey, which they said is more open to residents' opinions. The survey is available to all residents from their neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. , the Mayor's Office or at www.lacityneighborhoods.com. Submissions must be made by Nov. 15. ``The city is listening and acting upon the neighborhood councils,'' said Councilwoman Wendy Greuel Wendy Greuel is President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 2nd District. Greuel was elected in 2002 to fill the remainder of the term of Councilman Joel Wachs. She was elected in her own right in 2003 and reelected in 2007. , who attended the workshop. ``The budget input is critical.'' After the mayor's remarks, residents gathered in separate rooms according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. region to discuss the survey. Walt Sweeney Walter Francis Sweeney (born April 18, 1941 in Cohasset, Massachusetts) was an American football offensive lineman, who played college football at Syracuse University, where he made the school's all-century team. He also played in the North-South Game and the College All-Star Game. , chair of the Reseda Neighborhood Council, said the city must finally pave over ``failing streets'' pockmarked pock·mark n. 1. A pitlike scar left on the skin by smallpox or another eruptive disease. 2. A small pit on a surface: The gophers left the lawn covered with pockmarks. tr.v. with potholes. Barbara Monahan Burke, a stakeholder in the Studio City Neighborhood Council, said: ``The environment and the greening of Los Angeles are the most important issues -- to keep Studio City livable.'' dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3730 |
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