LOS ANGELES — Under orders to cut costs, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has sent a letter to county supervisors assuring them that he is taking steps to avoid a projected $21.6-million budget deficit.
"Through their collective efforts, the department has been able to develop a plan to reallocate existing resources to resolve the projected . . . shortfall," Baca wrote.
Shortly after taking office last year, Baca sent dozens of deputies who received modified training under the previous Sherman Block administration back to the academy. However, that program is expected to cost an estimated $19 million, placing the department in danger of overspending its $1.3-billion budget.
County Chief Administrative Officer David Janssen warned Baca last month to take steps to avoid a deficit--or face a department-wide hiring freeze.
In his letter, Baca said he was prepared to "reallocate existing resources to continue the training programs on a revised schedule."
