Los Angeles County Public Administrator Guardian

The dramatic reorganization that will grant Los Angeles County's appointed administrator sweeping new executive authority is expected to cost $1.7 million a year and create five executive positions, according to a report released Monday. The reorganization, which was approved by four of the five elected supervisors earlier this year, was designed to consolidate executive power to improve accountability and streamline government.

The Los Angeles County agency that serves as legal caretaker for some of the area's most vulnerable adults is so chronically short of funds that it takes months to act and turns away most of those sent to it for help, an audit released Wednesday said. The report also blamed a top-heavy structure and a "problematic management culture" for undermining the agency's efficiency and morale.