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Bell Mayor No-Show At City Council Meeting

BELL (AP) — The scandal-ridden city of Bell canceled a city council meeting Thursday night after two council members failed to appear, preventing the attendees from reaching quorum, according to the L.A. Times.

Mayor Oscar Hernandez and Councilwoman Teresa Jacobo were those missing from the gathering, the newspaper reported.

On the agenda -- how to stave off bankruptcy, including possibly disbanding the police department, and cutting salaries and benefits for city employees.

 

The Los Angeles Times reports Thursday that the plan is based on recent findings by the State Controller's Office and the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller's Office.

A county review of the city's finances showed that the city faces a deficit of $2.16 million unless steep cuts are made and that the deficit could reach $5 million by the end of June if the council does not take action.

One of the most contentious issues that was supposed to be discussed at the meeting was whether the city would disband its police department and contract with the county sheriff's department.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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