County Cites Dire Effects of Budget Plan to Governor : Finances: Officials outline a ‘disastrous’ scenario under Pete Wilson’s proposal that spares cities from cuts.

In a last-ditch lobbying effort to avoid steep funding cuts, Ventura County officials on Thursday informed Gov. Pete Wilson that his budget plan would force the county to lay off at least 290 employees, release more than 400 jail inmates and close the East County Courthouse.

Officials outlined the “disastrous” scenario in a letter faxed to the governor’s office, urging Wilson to abandon his budget plan that would spare cities from cuts in property tax revenue at the expense of county governments.

“The governor’s proposal has sent shivers down the spines of county officials,” said Penny Bohannon, the county’s Sacramento lobbyist.

“We were the good guys, originally saying we would take our fair share of the cuts. But let’s make it fair. Wilson has got to make the cities part of the equation.”

At stake is $2.8 billion in property tax money now spent by counties, cities and special districts. The money represents the share of the property tax that the state shifted to local governments in 1979 to help them survive the property tax reduction enacted by Proposition 13.

Now Democratic and Republican leaders have agreed that the state no longer can afford the bailout and that the flow of dollars should be reversed. State leaders are divided, however, over how to make the switch.

Wilson proposed extracting $932 million this year from counties and special districts but sparing the cities. Assembly Democrats want to take $1.4 billion equally from counties, cities and special districts.

The governor and four top legislative leaders met again Thursday in an attempt to end the budget stalemate. But Wilson and the legislative leaders said they could not agree on the property tax issue. They are scheduled to continue their discussions Saturday.

Under Wilson’s plan, Ventura County stands to lose another $8 million in funding, on top of the $12 million that it already expects to lose in state funding.

Even without the new cuts, budget analysts have said the county stands to lose 159 positions, about half of which would be actual layoffs.

Until the state budget is settled, county officials say they plan to keep the pressure on the governor’s office. Another letter asking for a shift in cuts will be sent to Wilson on Tuesday, after it is signed by members of the county Board of Supervisors.

“The only fair thing is for everyone to share in the pain,” said Richard Wittenberg, county chief administrative officer.

If Wilson’s plan is approved, there will be “some very harsh, sharp” cuts in county services.

According to the county’s worst-case scenario, the areas that would be hit hardest include law enforcement and social and medical services.

Bohannon said county officials would have to reduce the number of sheriff’s deputies from 600 to 449, forcing cuts in patrols of unincorporated areas of the county. In some areas, she said, emergency response time would increase to as long as 30 minutes.

Colleen (Toy) White, the county’s chief assistant district attorney, said the district attorney’s office would have to eliminate two-thirds of its Victim Services Division and almost all of its Misdemeanor Prosecutions Division, resulting in about 20,000 minor criminal cases not being prosecuted. In addition, she said, the office would refuse to take on new child support cases.

“It would be devastating,” White said.

Duane Dammeyer, an assistant public defender, said his office would have to lay off eight attorneys, for a savings of $575,000.

“The problem is we are already maxed out on the number of cases we can handle,” he said. “If we experience those kinds of cuts, we would have to refuse cases.”

Medical officials say they would have to cut the number of beds available at Ventura County Medical Center by 30, limiting indigent care. Some outpatient clinics would also be closed or scaled back.

County parks in unincorporated areas would be closed during the weekdays and local park improvements would be discontinued. County library branches in Meiners Oaks and Piru would be shut down and the Adult Literacy Program would be eliminated.

Meanwhile, the Corrections Services Agency would close the Frank A. Colston Youth Center in Ventura and the juvenile restitution program--which serve 320 felony juvenile offenders.

“Some of them would have to be released back into the community,” said Frank Woodson, acting director of the Corrections Services Agency.

Although city officials say they understand the county’s concerns, they support Wilson’s proposal.

“The governor recognizes, as do the cities, that the economic recovery is going to occur in the cities through the attraction of new business,” said Jim Faulconer, community services director for Oxnard. “If that is to occur, the cities are going to need adequate protection.”

John S. Baker, city manager of Ventura, added: “Although I appreciate the county’s position of saying ‘let’s spread it around,’ it’s not the right approach to take. It’s shortsighted.

“From a city perspective, we probably provide more of the services that are used by everyone than any other jurisdiction of government.”

Possible Budget Cuts Ventura County’s $12-million general fund cut would grow to $20 million if Gov. Pete Wilson spares California cities by shifting all property tax revenue cuts to counties, county officials said. Officials said they would be forced to make the following reductions: Sheriff’s Department: The current force of 600 sworn personnel would be reduced by 151 positions. More than 400 jail inmates would be released and reductions in patrol in unincorporated areas of the county would increase emergency response time to up to 30 minutes.

District Attorney: The proposed cuts could eliminate two-thirds of the Victim Services Division and virtually all of the Misdemeanor Prosecutions Division, resulting in about 20,000 cases not being prosecuted.

Courts: The new East County Courthouse, located in Simi Valley, would be closed. About 20 court employees would have to be transferred or laid off.

Public Defender: Eight attorneys would be laid off, at a savings of $575,000. The court would then be forced to appoint private attorneys to handle fewer cases.

Corrections Services Agency: Because many of the probation functions are non-mandated by law, non-dated services would suffer serious reductions. Two juvenile programs, the Colston Youth Center and the juvenile restitution program, would be shut down.

Social Services: The Veterans Services Program, which provides assistance to war veterans and their families, would be eliminated. Fewer food stamp recipients would be allowed to enroll in a special employment training program. The clothing allowance for foster children would be cut.

Mental Health: Housing assistance to mentally ill adults, the children’s residential home treatment program and emergency house calls would be cut. Fewer patients would be placed at Camarillo State Hospital and in long-term nursing homes.

Public Health: Clinics in Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Ventura and Oxnard would either be closed or scaled back. The clinics provide HIV testing and general medical services.

Libraries: The Adult Literacy Program and the libraries in Meiners Oaks and Piru would be closed. All libraries would be closed on Sundays.

General Services Agency: Forty-seven positions would be eliminated and maintenance of county buildings would be deferred. Local parks in the unincorporated areas would be closed during weekdays and park improvements would be discontinued.

BUDGET IMPASSE: The governor and lawmakers meet but reach no agreement. A3