Panel OKs Riordan Budget, Adds Funds for Charter Reform

A Los Angeles City Council committee approved Mayor Richard Riordan’s $4-billion budget Friday with little controversy and relatively minor spending revisions that totaled $5 million.

Among the most significant changes was an addition of $1.1 million to fund a council-appointed commission to revise the City Charter.

Last month, voters approved a proposition creating a second, elected charter commission with the understanding that it would be privately funded.

The committee, led by City Councilman Richard Alatorre, also appropriated $1.5 million to pay for expected, increased contracting costs attributable to the Living Wage ordinance, which the mayor opposed.

The committee also voted to increase Riordan’s proposed expansion of library hours by appropriating an additional $1.1 million and to provide $850,000 to pay maintenance workers to care for 23 new or expanded recreational facilities. Riordan had not budgeted for those workers.

To help finance the additional appropriations, the committee reduced funding from $1 million to $500,000 for a Riordan pet program known as the New L.A. Marketing Partnership, which conducts advertising campaigns on the city’s behalf.