Counties

Sun lovers could soon purchase swimsuits or tanning lotion bearing the official seal of approval of Los Angeles County lifeguards. Gun fanciers could line up to buy weapons or bulletproof vests endorsed by Sheriff Sherman Block and his deputies. County officials envision earning as much as $4 million a year from firms using the Los Angeles County name in the advertising of products.

In a victory for California's counties, a judge ruled Monday that the state must repay them billions of property tax dollars that were shifted to public schools. The ruling in Sonoma County Superior Court marked the first major step forward in a frustrating series of both legislative and legal attempts by 55 counties to recoup money they claim was improperly taken from them beginning in 1991, when the state hit hard economic times.

Driving north or east from San Bernardino, you are soon in territory claimed by the "government in exile" of "Mojave County." Defeated at the polls last June in an attempt to break away from San Bernardino County and form a new political unit in these vast desert and mountain lands, Mojave County backers have announced plans to form a "government in exile" that will raise money, deal with federal and state agencies, perhaps even field its own police force.

State lawmakers in both parties reacted with cautious optimism Thursday to a proposal by Orange County Supervisor Marian Bergeson to cut the cost of county government by shifting most of its responsibilities to the cities or state. Bergeson's proposal, which she contends could save Orange County $140 million a year, mirrors a concept that has long been debated for all 58 of California's counties and currently is under review by a state constitutional revision committee.

Despite a budget crunch that has triggered government cutbacks and layoffs throughout the state, several Southern California counties voluntarily sweeten benefit packages for Superior Court judges with car allowances, "personal development" grants and other generous perks. On top of their state salary and benefits, Superior Court judges in San Bernardino County take home an assortment of county-funded benefits, including a $383.25 monthly car allowance and a $541.66 monthly education stipend.

Don Kendall, General manager, Calleguas Municipal Water District No. The reason he's calling for a special election now is that he doesn't want anything to appear on the ballot when he's running for reelection. Secondly, it's unfair to counties because it's disproportionate. Some counties are going to pass it and some won't. If you're a county, you're trying to attract business and local development. Those that pass it are penalizing themselves versus other counties that aren't.

After nearly 14 long and sometimes embarrassing years as the national torchbearer for municipal bankruptcy, Orange County may soon lose that distinction thanks to a financial disaster elsewhere that could dwarf its debacle. Jefferson County, Ala., was weighing its options this week in the wake of a looming bond crisis that recently forced it to skip a $53-million sewer bond payment -- sending the county's credit rating tumbling to the lowest junk status.

Jack O'Connell, State assemblyman There are about 75 proposals for solving the fiscal crisis floating around Sacramento. I will probably oppose the idea of a billion-dollar cut to cities, because it is excessive. But there is going to be a reduction in aid to local government, because we can't afford it as we have in the past. We are downsizing government at all levels, abolishing departments and eliminating a host of boards and commissions. While I hope the cities do not lose the amounts suggested by some, cuts must be made.

Los Angeles and other California cities and counties could see more than $2 billion in revenue stripped away by the state under a Schwarzenegger administration plan to trim a ballooning new budget deficit. Administration officials Tuesday released a draft of the plan, expected to siphon more than $300 million from the city and county of Los Angeles, just two weeks before a special election on several ballot measures the governor is pushing to help balance the state's books.

California cities and counties may owe their employees as much as $2 billion for unpaid overtime work, under a ruling the Supreme Court let stand Tuesday. Los Angeles County officials said the ruling affects 23,000 of its 78,000 full-time employees and could cost the county $170 million. The decision covers all public employees whov may have been considered exempt from overtime pay but whose wages can be docked if they miss a few hours of work.