Lawndale Tribune AND lAwNDAle News The Weekly Newspaper of Lawndale Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - May 25, 2017 LESD Student Services Staff Member Receives Top Honor The Lawndale Elementary School District (LESD) announced last week that Van Bui, Social Worker at William Anderson Elementary School, has received the Distinguished Field Instructor Award from the USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The award recognizes Bui’s dedication to guiding social work and counseling interns while attaining invaluable hands-on experience as they participate in the district’s Intern Program. This is the second consecutive year LESD has received a top honor from USC. Last year, LESD was the recipient of the Agency of the Year Award for their innovative Intern Program. In this photo: LESD Student Support Services Team, from left to right: Jorge Arroyo, Director; and School Social Workers: Evelyn Garcia; Sofia Lupian-Hernandez, Julia Maurer, Van Bui, Jalpa Patel, Kisalyn Michael, Vanessa Clark, and Maria Ruelas.’ (Photo Provided by LESD) Lawndale on Track to Adopt Balanced Budget By Haleemon Anderson reported on the Council’s operating budget, The Lawndale City Council met in special saying funding remains static for the Council, session Tuesday to preview the budget for fiscal City Attorney, City Manager, and administrative year 2017-’18. The summary presentation was staff. Felton proposed a transfer of $1,500 concise and to the point, as staff members to administrative services for employee unveiled a balanced budget that was repeatedly recognition and holiday events. described as “status quo.” Councilmember Pat Kearney pointed to City Manager Steve Mandoki noted the only an increase in travel and meeting expenses. significant funding increase is an adjustment He said the Council should consider limiting to the Sheriff’s Department budget. The extra attendance to only two of its members for $245,000 will cover a three percent labor cost annual conferences like Contract Cities and increase and liability costs. League of California Cities. Mayor Robert “A lot of work was done to balance this Pullen-Miles reminded the group of the many budget and keep the sheriffs whole and not benefits of these conferences. Mayor Pro look at reductions there,” said Mandoki. He Tem Daniel Reid recommended the use of noted the increase was not a salary adjustment. In fact, the proposed budget offers no salary adjustments in any departments for City employees. Finance Director Ken Louie said revenue from property and sales tax, utilities taxes and other income streams remain solid. “We are fiscally sound,” said Louie, who added that Lawndale has been continually rated by the California Policy Center as among the top five percent of cities for fiscal solvency. Another big increase, $275,000 in pension liability pay-down, is a “good thing,” said Louie. “We are paying down the long-term liability.” He said the City’s general fund will still hold 150 percent of the budget in reserves. Deborah Holland, Municipal Services Manager, reported the department will increase last year’s budget by $1,000 for additional animal services. The department will also purchase a replacement vehicle, using Air Quality Management District (AQMD) state funds. Raylette Felton, Human Resources Director, discretionary funds rather than keeping the dollars in a line item. Administrative services also requested a budget increase for city-wide staff development, membership dues and various contracts related to labor relations and personnel. Other bills paid from this fund include postage, and water and electricity for city facilities. Tom Strickfaden detailed the cable television budget and the purchase of a new server and software to keep up with industry trends. The Community Services budget remains status quo, according to Director Mike Estes. “There are See City Council page 8 Free Digital Delivery Herald Publications is now offering to send you a link to your favorite community newspaper every Thursday morning! The emails will also include a list of upcoming local events. Just email us at: web@heraldpublications.com and tell us which local community newspaper you’d like. Simple as that and free!!! Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................8 Classifieds............................3 Community Briefs...............2 Hawthorne Happenings....3 Legals............................4, 6-7 Pets........................................5 Sports....................................2 Weekend Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy 66˚/56 Saturday Sunny 64˚/55˚ Sunday Sunny 68˚/58˚
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