RIORDAN SAYS CITY IS READY FOR DNC MAYOR TELLS PANEL FUNDING AVAILABLE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

With doubts over the final Los Angeles Police Department security costs for the Democratic National Convention, Mayor Richard Riordan on Wednesday offered assurances the city is both ``operationally and fiscally'' prepared for the event.

In a letter to members of a joint city panel that is to meet today on the city's costs, Riordan said he had budgeted enough money in the unappropriated balance and reserve fund in this year's $4.1 billion budget to cover those costs of the convention.

There has been recent speculation the LAPD costs could go to $12 million - a figure Police Chief Bernard C. Parks said would be reached only if there is extensive violence from protesters.

``It is impossible to predict emergency situations that may require additional overtime appropriations. It was always our intent that these funds, if needed, come from the reserve fund,'' Riordan said.

Also, he said, the city's economy continues to improve and will be getting extra revenue this year that will go into the reserve fund.

In a related development, Councilman Alex Padilla said he will seek a full accounting of the use of city money once the convention is over.

``It's inappropriate and irresponsible to pull public safety budget numbers out of thin air based on speculation alone,'' said Padilla, who chairs the council's special committee on the convention. ``Our primary public safety responsibility is to be prepared.''

The city was committed to providing some $7 million in services for the convention until last month, when the Host Committee asked for an additional $4 million in cash, which the City Council narrowly approved.

Padilla's proposal, if approved, would require the city to provide a complete audit of city expenses.