Compton : Hard Budget Choices Faced

The City Council faces some hard choices today when it meets at 1 p.m. to approve a $17-million general fund budget in time for the July 1 start of the 1986-87 fiscal year. Because of cuts in a variety of federal programs that ordinarily boost Compton’s revenue, City Manager Laverta Montgomery has recommended that the municipal government lighten its payroll expenses by either curbing raises or laying off employees.

The proposed budget is from $1.3 million to $1.5 million less than the $18.8 million actually spent in the year about to end.

On Tuesday, the council discarded Montgomery’s suggestion that the city simply withdraw a pay raise agreement made earlier this year when city officials signed new contract agreements with union employees. Montgomery said the raises, including an immediate 7% increase, will “cost us well over $1 million.” But Councilman Maxcy D. Filer said the city would be open to a lawsuit if it unilaterally cancels the raises without union consent.

The council decided to delay a final budget decision until today so Montgomery would have more time to talk with union leaders about reaching some sort of compromise to avoid the need for layoffs.