In a significant move aimed at improving representation for East L.A. residents, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors has approved a campaign to explore alternative governance structures for the unincorporated area.
The unanimous decision, driven by Supervisor Hilda Solis from County District 1, authorizes the County Chief Executive Office to engage a consultant to facilitate community outreach. The initiative seeks to gather resident feedback and recommendations regarding the formation of a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) or a Town Council.
This effort comes in light of a recent fiscal report by the County CEO, which evaluated the feasibility of cityhood for East L.A. The report, the first of its kind in over a decade, identified a significant financial deficit of $27.8 million, indicating that cityhood is currently not a viable option.
Solis addressed the financial limitations, stating, “The data reaffirms the findings from the previous report: cityhood isn’t financially viable for East L.A. at this time.” She emphasized that the new campaign will empower residents by providing intentional opportunities for them to engage with her office on key issues.
During the Board of Supervisors meeting, County CEO Fesia Davenport elaborated on the dangers of incorporating East L.A. as a city, noting that such a move would lead to a financial crisis from the outset. “At this level of deficit, the new city would have insufficient funding for necessary municipal services, staff, facility costs, etc. It would not be able to build any reserves… It would be in a financial crisis on day one,” Davenport explained.
Having served East L.A. for over 30 years in various capacities, Solis acknowledged the community’s struggles. “It’s unfortunate because the community, I do believe, has been left behind… establishing cityhood at this time is difficult, but representation is critical, albeit in an advisory capacity,” Solis said.
East L.A. currently relies on L.A. County for essential services such as police, fire, solid waste management, water, and libraries, with the cost of county services exceeding the local tax revenue. Given these financial challenges, the recent analysis recommends creating a MAC or Town Council to elevate resident voices regarding local concerns.
Davenport depicted MACs as a necessary “listening ear” for the community, enabling a direct line of communication between residents and the Board of Supervisors.
In contrast, Town Councils are formed by volunteers, while MAC members are appointed or elected by the Board of Supervisors, raising concerns among some local residents. Genesis Coronado, an East L.A. resident, voiced her discontent, insisting that the community should only accept an elected body of representatives. “Our community doesn’t want an appointed body of residents, we want an elected body of residents and will not accept anything less than that,” Coronado asserted during public comment.
Another resident, Shirley Rivera, expressed her appreciation for county investments but also emphasized a desire to keep cityhood discussions open. “Although cityhood for East LA would be an eventual hope… I want to support the Town Council or MAC,” she stated.
The forthcoming outreach process will engage East L.A. stakeholders from various neighborhoods including Belvedere/Obregon Park, City Terrace, Eastmont, Garfield, Maravilla, Saybrook, Union Pacific, and Winter Gardens, alongside local businesses and nonprofit organizations.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment in the quest for enhanced governance and community involvement in East L.A., as residents seek more say in the matters that directly affect their lives.
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