Consolidation of Community Development and Neighborhood Empowerment Departments to Reduce Costs and Enhance Community Participation

Strategic Insights -

The City of Los Angeles is streamlining its government by consolidating the Community Development Department and the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, with the goal of eliminating 27 positions, saving approximately $2 million annually, and reducing the total number of City departments and general managers. The consolidation is aimed at creating a more efficient entity that can better address the needs of the City's 90 Neighborhood Councils, while minimizing general fund costs. This consolidation effort will also provide volunteer opportunities and foster participation in the neighborhoods.

Key Takeaways:

  • The consolidation of the Community Development Department and the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment will eliminate 27 positions and save approximately $2 million annually.
  • The newly consolidated department, Department of Community Development/Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, will reduce the total number of City departments and general managers.
  • The consolidation is expected to provide a more efficient entity that can better address the needs of the City's 90 Neighborhood Councils.
  • The Mayor has nominated current Community Development Department General Manager, Richard Benbow, to head the new Department of Community Development and Neighborhood Empowerment.
  • Current General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, BongHwan Kim, will step down.
  • The consolidation is part of a larger effort to reduce City costs, with the goal of eliminating 3,000 positions in response to the City's credit rating being downgraded.
  • The Mayor's proposed Fiscal Year 2010-11 budget will serve as the comprehensive report detailing the position eliminations requested by the City Council.

Statistics:

  • 27 positions will be eliminated as a result of the consolidation.
  • The consolidation is expected to save approximately $2 million annually.
  • The City has eliminated close to 200 General Fund positions and transferred personnel to Special Fund vacancies as part of an expedited effort starting on February 4, 2010.
  • The City Council moved to approve the elimination of an additional 3,000 positions in response to the City's credit rating being downgraded.

Sources:

  • Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles. (Date unavailable). Press Release: Consolidation of Community Development and Neighborhood Empowerment Departments.