Bell official says city's finances worse than thought

[The Northerner]

The interim city administrator says the projected deficit could more than double to over $4 million by the end of June. He cites one-time costs, including legal bills stemming from the salary scandal.

As the Bell City Council prepared to debate drastic budget cuts on Thursday night to stave off bankruptcy, the city's top administrator said its finances were even more desperate than suspected and were worsening because of extraordinary legal bills and other costs facing the scandal-scarred city.

"The city has reached a financial crossroad," wrote Pedro Carrillo, Bell's interim chief administrative officer. "While the recommendations set forth in this report require difficult decisions to be made, without these actions, the city will likely be forced into insolvency."

A county audit released earlier this month said the city would face a $2.16-million deficit at the end of the fiscal year in June. Carrillo's report, however, said the figure could more than double because of one-time costs, including legal bills stemming from the salary scandal that has enveloped the city.

Residents said they found it maddening that the tough financial choices might be left to council members who are facing felony misappropriation charges that essentially blame them for Bell's financial mess.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bell-20110128,0,5901365.story

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Along with maybe Vernon & Maywood, Bell is the shittiest place in Los Angeles.