West L.A. Neighborhood Council News/Events 5/25/09

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CURRENT & NOTEWORTHY

MEMORIAL DAY 2009
The day to mark lives lost and crippled by war --
to remember and honor those sacrificed
to the greater goal to bring peace --
the time without war.

FROM CITYWATCH: ROSENDAHL'S REPORT ON CITY BUDGET

On Monday the City Council approved a $7 billion balanced budget that sets the priorities of our City for the coming year: to protect public safety while continuing to provide basic public services and sound financial management.
The City Council put aside the rhetoric on whether or not to fund the police hiring plan with uncertain monies, and we got to work
to find a creative and fiscally prudent solution. By realizing $22 million in unanticipated property tax receipts that came in higher than our projections and scraping together $4 million in law enforcement grant funds from the federal government, the Council's budget puts public safety first by providing funding
to maintain LAPD's current sworn staffing levels for the coming year. The decision to maintain LAPD's current size does not come without sacrifice. Unless our City leaders and labor unions can reach an agreement on cost cutting options such as an early retirement incentive, the Council's budget may require 26
furlough days for each civilian employee and 1200 civilian
layoffs. Departmental budgets have also been reduced, resulting
in a reduction in City services like park hours and maintenance, street and sidewalk repairs, and transportation improvements.
Our municipal finances are shrouded in uncertainty and will require our close attention in the months ahead. Depending on the outcome of the statewide special election, the State of California may reach into our City treasury to balance its own budget mess. Ongoing negotiations between City employee unions and your elected leaders may also produce changes to the budget, hopefully in a way that will minimize employee layoffs and protect jobs. Additionally, the City's finances ultimately depend on the shaky and unpredictable condition of the general economy.
As your elected representative at City Hall and a member of the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee, I am committed to weathering this economic storm and keeping the lights on in Los Angeles. This year's budget process was incredibly difficult, but I am heartened to know that we have charted a responsible course for the coming year.
(Bill Rosendahl OUR 11th District LA City Councilman.)
CityWatch, Vol 7 Issue 41 Pub: May 22, 2009

TAX PENALTY AMNESTY PROGRAM
May 1, 2009 - July 31, 2009
Businesses with unpaid taxes or under reported gross receipts
or those who have not registered with the Office of Finance
can pay delinquent City taxes and avoid up to forty percent
in penalties. The following City taxes qualify for amnesty:
Business Tax, Telephone, Electricity & Gas Users Taxes,
Commercial Tenant's Occupancy Tax, Transient Occupancy Tax,
and Parking Occupancy Tax. For more information: (213) 978-1555 www.lacity.org/finance/amnesty

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