Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Supes May Unfreeze $83M Of Sheriff's Budget For Coronavirus, Other Issues

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors may free up nearly $83 million of Sheriff's Department funds it froze seven months ago in response to overspending. The money would help fund a variety of activities, including efforts to keep the jails clean in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The supervisors will take up the motion at their meeting next Tuesday.
The money is part of $143 million the board froze last fall. It would include $7.6 million for coronavirus-related expenses, including face shields, gloves, N95 masks, paper jumpsuits, booties, thermometers and cleaning supplies.
The board has been withholding the funds in an attempt to force Sheriff Alex Villanueva to rein in his deficit spending.
Despite a joint effort to cut costs, the red ink continues to flow at the department. But Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who co-authored the motion with Supervisor Hilda Solis, said the sheriff needs the money for "essential supplies and equipment," adding, "this will totally cover everything he said he needed."
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
The motion is unlikely to satisfy Villanueva, who publicly called on the board this week to release the entire $143 million. He made a similar request in a March 20 letter and in a subsequent letter.
Villanueva said he needs the money to, among other things, buy supplies and equipment to continue processing DNA from rape scenes, install communications equipment in new patrol cars and maintain search-and-rescue helicopters.
"These choppers are going to be grounded, and that's going to impact public safety," the sheriff said at a Monday news conference.
The sheriff's annual budget is $3.3 billion; the department employs nearly 18,000 people.
A GROWING DEFICIT
Villanueva ran a $63 million deficit during his first year in office, according to the county CEO, who says even with savings in overtime and other expenses, the gap is projected to grow to $88.8 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
Kuehl urged the sheriff to sharply cut back the training of new recruits, which she said would save $61 million over two years. Villanueva has pursued an aggressive hiring strategy to address a deputy shortage.
Reducing deficits is more important than ever for the sheriff. The county faces a dramatic reduction in revenues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The county CEO has projected a $1 billion drop in sale tax revenue for this fiscal year.
Villanueva has said he's working with the CEO to reduce costs. Kuehl's motion calls on him to continue to do that - and to adhere to the County's COVID-19 hiring freeze (which does allow the Sheriff's Department to hire sworn officers).
"No county department can be permitted to rack up massive deficits year after year," said Kuehl. "It's fiscally irresponsible and unfair to taxpayers, since the money comes from the budgets of other essential departments."
"We are looking to save every penny we can because it's an all hands on deck moment," Villanueva said Monday.
The county has hired an outside firm to audit the Sheriff's Department's books.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.