The Region - News from May 20, 1987

Public hearings on a proposed $7.2-billion budget for the coming fiscal year were ordered to begin June 5 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The proposed spending plan, submitted by Chief Administrative Officer Richard B. Dixon, would increase funding to alleviate jail overcrowding, help local AIDS preventive measures and build a new emergency operations center in the event of an earthquake. At the same time, Dixon’s proposal would eliminate about 1,800 positions in a variety of departments. Dixon said as many as half might be subject to layoff. However, he stressed that his proposal is a “worst case scenario” that will probably improve based on expected increases in the state surplus.