COMPTON (2UG) – Compton City Attorney Eric Perrodin has threatened to go to court to get a writ of mandate against the City Council for failure to perform duties under the Compton City Charter during a budget hearing held June 6.
“I’ve been very patient but now I’m not patient anymore,” said Perrodin. “I came back to the City for one reason. I left a job with the District Attorney’s office where I was a supervisor and I took about a $45,000 pay cut because I love my city and want it to be better.”
“I’ve been patient for a year and a half and my patience has run thin. I’m going to do everything in my power, for however long I’m here, to make Compton that city on the hill. Matthew 29:2.”
Perrodin made his comments during the city’s budget hearing regarding the lack of filling positions in the City.
The focus then turned to the contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department which takes up over 50% of the annual budget.
“One of the biggest challenges we have is we have yet to receive the budget from the Sheriff’s budget which has the biggest impact on the organization,” said Thomas Thomas, City Manager.
Perrodin then asked what the proposed budget is for the next fiscal year, without the Sheriff’s budget.
“I’m asking for an approximate figure because the Sheriff’s department is dictating our budget,” said Perrodin.
The projected budget for the Sheriff’s Department last year was $24 million.
“If our revenue is around $56 million and if the Sheriff’s budget is expected to be $28 million this year that’s over half our budget and that’s why the residents are screwed,” said Perrodin.
Compton’s population is over 100,000 residents and is expected to function on $28 million per year.
What is the plan to increase revenue?
“This is a budget workshop and we should have numbers so we [the council] and the public can know what’s going on in the next fiscal year,” said Perrodin. “The law says code enforcement, parking, and security is under the authority of the City Attorney’s office…if that’s the case and if it’s going to be that way, I should know that as a department head.”
Perrodin argued that those departments should be moved under him due to the City Charter labeling the City Attorney the “Chief Law Enforcement Officer” which he interprets as his responsibility.
“I don’t mind going to court to get a writ from the judge ordering you to do it,” said Perrodin. “I know my powers under the city charter and I will utilize everything that the charter tells me I can do. Everything.”
