Abstract
Purpose. The intent of this study is to examine the finding priorities and expenditure patterns of City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils, which were established in response to ballot measures that proposed to split the city. This study compares expenditures in the 89 Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils (NC) and their seven NC Regions (NCRs), thereby, establishing best practices and benchmarks for the NC's current and past efficiencies in providing stakeholder value. Theoretical framework. The theories used in this study, are Structural-Functionalism Theory, Public Choice Theory and Urban Regime Theory. Methodology. This dissertation is a descriptive social research study, utilizing municipal City of Los Angeles data that are public records. The study compares secondary data from the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and the Neighborhood Council Review Board survey data, conducted by California State University, Fullerton's Social Science Research Center. Findings. There is a wide variation in expenditures within the NCs and NCRs. The NC's $50,000 annual appropriations are not fully utilized, nor do they always correspond to the NC's funding priorities. Conclusions and recommendations. Remaining annual funds should go back into the NC's next fiscal year appropriations, and annual increases consistent with the city's budget increases. NC's should have a 3 to 5 year vision and plan for their financial goals and projects to assist in matching their individual funding priorities to expenditures. The overall establishment of best practices, guidelines, and standardizing methods and procedures would lead to improved decision making and more successful NC programs.