increase over the previous year's funding, but costs have spiraled much higher. Supervisors were forced to approve about $17 million in job and service reductions.
Supervisor Linda Parks, the board's newest member seated in January, made the sole dissenting vote. Parks asked the board to consider work furloughs or pay freezes to free up more money for public safety.
The sheriff, district attorney, public defender and probation chief will each receive at least 3.75 percent budget increases in the coming year.
The supervisors warned, however, that additional reductions may be necessary once the cash-strapped state passes its own budget.
“Stay tuned,” board Chairwoman Judy Mikels said. “The sequel could be worse.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 18, 2003. Read the original PDF.