Issues

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Appoints Mark Saladino as County Counsel

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has appointed current Los Angeles County Treasurer, Tax Collector and Public Administrator Mark Saladino as County Counsel.

In his most recent role, Saladino was responsible for the oversight of over 450 employees and for the management of the County’s finances, including the receiving, investing and disbursing of County funds, as well as billing and collecting property taxes, business regulatory fees and a variety of debts owed to the County. Saladino is an ex-officio trustee of LACERA’s Board of Retirement and Board of Investments, an extension of his role as the Treasurer and Tax Collector of Los Angeles County. He has a legal background and extensive experience in management, finance, investments, and treasury-related issues.

“As the Treasurer and Tax Collector of the largest and most populous municipality in the country, Mark Saladino’s management of a complex operation was paramount in Los Angeles County receiving its highest short-term and long-term credit ratings ever, which have allowed for more investment back into the communities,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe. “Mark’s previous experience working in the Office of County Counsel, as well as his emphasis on accountability and transparency, make him the right person for the job.”

Saladino’s notable accomplishments include:
• Principal Deputy County Counsel, specializing in the areas of finance and investments.
• Successful private practice at Hawkins, Delafield & Wood in New York City and at Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue in Los Angeles.
• Public speaker on topics related to public finance and investments for the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors, the University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles; the National Association of Bond Lawyers; the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission; and the California State Association of Counties.
• Drafted California legislation regulating certain sales of local government securities.
• Testified on securities issues to the California Legislature and the United States Congress.
• BS, with high honors, University of Illinois.
• JD, New York University.
• Admitted to practice law in New York, California, and the District of Columbia.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Now Available at County Facilities for Public Use

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe announced the installation and launch of electric vehicle charging stations at various County facilities for public use. Electric vehicle owners headed to certain County destinations will be able to charge their vehicles for up to four hours, free of charge, during the initial year of the program.

“From hospitals, to Sheriff’s stations to the Registrar-Recorder’s, we have facilities across the county that our 10 million residents visit or drive near-by,” said Knabe.  “We hope this program will encourage people to consider an electric vehicle by making charging options more accessible and convenient.”

Currently, there are over 20 electric vehicle charging stations at facilities across the County, with additional stations planned for installation in the coming months. Parking rates and restrictions may apply at certain facilities.

For an interactive Google Map of all current EV charging stations in LA County, please visit: bit.ly/evchargers.

Knabe Seeks to Create Concierge to Assist Small Businesses

Los Angeles County will create a one-stop-shop Small Business Concierge to assist small business owners navigate the County’s permitting and contracting processes, thanks to a motion put forth by Chairman Supervisor Don Knabe.

“Small businesses are a vital sector of the Los Angeles County economy, and we need to continue to look at innovative ways to offer support and guidance towards their development and success,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Starting a small business, as well as keeping one in business, can be an incredibly challenging endeavor and with the help of this Small Business Concierge, we can help them thrive right here in our community.”

Under the proposal, the Office of Small Business will be consolidated within the Department of Consumer Affairs, which will expand the Office’s ability to help owners get their business up-and-running. A report back by the Chief Executive Officer is expected in 90 days to determine the feasibility and fiscal impact of this migration.

“Small businesses have created over 60% of the new jobs in this country,” said Supervisor Knabe. “We need to be sure we are doing whatever we can do to make it easy for them to get started.”

Knabe Calls for Reforms to Ensure Long-Term Fiscal Stability for L.A. County

To help ensure the County’s unparalleled standard of fiscal prudence remains long-term, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved amending its “Budget Policies and Priorities,” due to a motion made by Chairman Don Knabe. The revisions will help position the County financially to meet future economic challenges, while protecting public services and programs.

Over the past decades, Los Angeles County has established itself as a national model of fiscal responsibility. The Board has enacted numerous reforms to curtail growing pension costs and retiree healthcare spending, and created a sizable “rainy day” fund to help the County weather the Great Recession. In turn, the County’s conservative budgetary practices have been rewarded with significant credit and bond rating increases, allowing for more investment back into the communities.

“As the Board of Supervisors prepares to undergo its biggest changes in decades, we have an obligation to ensure that the County can continue providing the safety net services our 10 million residents depend on,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Los Angeles County saved in the good times to prepare for the bad times, leaving us in better shape than other municipalities that can no longer fix their streets and sidewalks. More reforms are still necessary to keep the Board’s policies and priorities relevant in the current and future economic environment.”

The revisions to the Board of Supervisors’ “Budget Policies and Priorities include:

  • Setting aside funds to buy down retiree health care costs, address deferred maintenance on County property, fund low income housing and other critical capital projects, and to pay debt service requirements on future infrastructure projects.
  • Requiring a four/fifths requirement by the Board of Supervisor on any revisions to the “Budget and Fiscal Policies,” as well as labor agreements that impact salaries and employee benefit cost increases.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ “Budget Policies and Priorities” can be found here: http://countypolicy.co.la.ca.us/BOSPolicyFrame.htm

Following today’s approval, the proposed policies will be reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer, Auditor-Controller, Treasurer-Tax Collector and County Counsel and a report will be issued on September 30 with necessary recommendations.

Knabe Calls for Aggressive Water Conservation Measures

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a measure by Chairman Don Knabe to adopt the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) emergency regulations for water conservation.

The motion calls for the implementation of the State’s regulations by August 1, 2014.

On July 15, 2014, the SWRCB adopted a resolution of emergency regulations, including:

  • Prohibiting certain water uses, including washing down driveways and sidewalks, using a hose to wash a car unless it is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, and using potable water in a fountain, unless the water is recirculated
  • Limiting outdoor watering to two days a week
  • Requiring suppliers to report per capita usage

Further information about the SWRCB’s regulations is available here:  http://goo.gl/No83bm

“Eighty percent of California is suffering from extreme drought conditions with no relief in sight,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As the largest employer in Los Angeles County, we maintain and operate over 5,000 buildings and facilities.  We need to ensure our house is in order and not only do our part in our unincorporated areas, but also set an example for the 88 cities in the County.”

The Department of Public Works will report back in 30 days on the status of implementation and any changes that need to be made to the County’s Water Wasting Ordinance to ensure compliance with the SWRCB regulations.

Fifteen Fourth District Arts Organizations Awarded Grants

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission has announced $4,518,000 in two-year grants to 180 nonprofit arts organizations through its Organizational Grant Program (OGP). For the second year in a row, the current allocation represents a $200,000 increase in funding from the previous grant cycle and provides support to ensure arts organizations continue to provide cultural services to the diverse population that comprises Los Angeles County.

Grant amounts range from $3,600 to $233,300. Grantee organizations are spread throughout LA County with offices located in over 39 of the County’s 88 municipalities. 11% of the organizations funded are receiving County arts grants for the first time and 50% have applied for funding to pay for salaries or job creation. Over 80 knowledgeable panelists from the arts community, including artists, nonprofit arts administrators and members of the academic community, reviewed and scored the applications.

“Although the economic climate is shifting, we know that organizations continue to struggle with staffing concerns,” said Los Angeles County Arts Commission President Araceli Ruano. “We are pleased to offer funding to pay for salaries and job creation. The residents of Los Angeles County will be impacted through increased job opportunities and continued access to a diverse range of cultural services.”

Fourth District Grantees:

  • Arts & Services for Disabled
  • Beach Cities Symphony
  • Camerata Singers of Long Beach
  • Coeurage Theatre Company
  • Dream A World Education, Inc
  • Grand Vision Foundation
  • Jazz Angel, Inc.
  • Kenneth Walker Dance Project
  • Museum of Latin American Art
  • Norris Center for the Performing Arts
  • Palos Verdes Art Center
  • Peninsula Symphony Association
  • Rio Hondo Symphony Association
  • South Coast Chorale Inc.
  • The Concert Singers

Second Newborn Baby Safely Surrendered This Week

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the second time this week with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on July 9th, 2014 at a fire station in Pico Rivera. A newborn baby girl was safely surrendered on July 6 at a hospital in Lynwood.

As is standard practice, the newborn is in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“It’s incredible that we have had two Safe Surrenders in one week,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “As word continues to spread about the program, mothers in a desperate situation learn that they have a better option.  Because of their courageous decisions, these babies have a chance at a new life with a loving family.”

This is the ninth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2014, and the 122nd since the program began nearly 13 years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit BabySafeLA.org.

Baby Girl Safely Surrendered Over Fourth of July Weekend

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the eighth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on July 6, 2014 at a hospital in Lynwood.

As is standard practice, the newborn is in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to give up a child, but this mother bravely made the better choice for her baby girl—No shame. No blame. No names,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this little girl has been blessed with the gift of life and now has the opportunity to grow up as part of a loving family. Though we’ve been able to save the lives of 121 babies so far, we need to continue spreading the word that there is a safe, secure and anonymous way for mothers, who find themselves in a desperate situation, to get their baby into safe hands—at any fire station or hospital, any time—and protect them from abandonment. ”

This is the eighth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2014, and the 121st since the program began nearly 13 years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit BabySafeLA.org.

Baby Girl Safely Surrendered at Hospital in Pomona

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the sixth time this year, and second time this month, with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on June 16, 2014 at a hospital in Pomona. A baby girl was also safely surrendered on June 2 at a hospital in Tarzana.

As is standard practice, the newborn is in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“In the last few weeks, two mothers have made the difficult, but brave, choice to safely surrender their babies,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Now these two baby girls have the chance to grow-up and be part of a loving family. The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands—No shame, No blame, No names. When we consider the alternative to what could have happened to these girls, we are thankful these mothers, who found themselves in a desperate situation, made the right decision for their babies.”

This is the sixth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2014, and the 119th since the program began nearly 13 years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit BabySafeLA.org.

Board of Supervisors Approves Sweeping Reforms to County’s Retiree Healthcare Obligations

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe released the following statement upon the ratification of reforms to the County’s retiree healthcare obligations, which could save up to $840 million over the next 30 years:

“Today’s vote marks the final step in a months-long approval process, with reforms agreed to by labor leaders, County management, and the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association Board of Retirement and Board of Investments.

The County was on-the-hook paying for healthcare for people who had never even worked here. We had a responsibility to reduce spiraling obligations for future employees, while still providing a level of retiree healthcare that is both sustainable and fiscally responsible. Over the last several years, our labor partners were essential to helping the County weather the recession by sacrificing raises and cost of living increases. I’m grateful that labor has stepped-up once again, agreeing to reforms that could save us up to $840 million in the decades ahead.”