The total number of cell phones issued to city employees, or the exact cost the city is paying for the use of the phones, are unknown numbers to the city’s bean counters. That fact has prompted Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel to conduct an audit of city cell phone usage, and Councilman Dennis P. Zine, 3rd District, has introduced a motion calling for reductions in cell phone usage.

“We must continue to search for ways to reduce our spending and make city government leaner,” said Zine, chair of the City Council’s Personnel Committee. “At a time when the city is struggling to fund basic city services, we must allocate our resources where they will provide the greatest benefit to the public. Therefore, we must…cut back on the use of city-issued cell phones.”

Ben Golombek, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles City Controller’s Office, said the audit on city-issued cell phones should be completed in one month. While the exact number of cell phones is not known, each city department tabulates the number of cell phones issued to its employees, and the Controller’s Office is working to put together those numbers. Golombek said it is estimated that the city spends $5 million a year on cell phones used by employees.

Zine’s motion calls for all city departments to implement a 10 percent reduction in number of cell phones by June 30. The motion also asks city departments to present a plan for an additional 30 percent reduction in city-issued cell phone usage for the upcoming 2011-12 fiscal year. Zine’s motion comes on the heels of Gov. Jerry Brown implementing a similar 50 percent reduction in state-issued cell phones last month. Public safety departments will be granted exemptions from the reduction.

“The City needs to tighten its belt in every area, whether that means reforming major expenditures like pensions or cutting back on smaller items such as cell phones,” Zine added. “No stone should be left unturned. The Controller’s Office is in the process of determining exactly how many city-issued cell phones there are currently in use,  as well as making sure we have the most competitive rates. As we define our budget priorities, we also have to examine what tools are necessary to perform those core services and determine if we can get by with less. I believe that we can.”

In addition, Zine also recently proposed a motion seeking to limit city travel expenses. The motion requests a final itemized analysis of travel expenditures and related expenses for fiscal year 2009-10, with a comparison to travel expenses already incurred for fiscal year 2010-11 to determine if travel continues to be limited as previously instructed. Additionally, the motion calls for a moratorium on all non-reimbursable city travel with the exceptions of travel to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to participate in city advocacy; travel by Los Angeles Police Department personnel for investigations, warrants and extraditions; and travel related to prevention of liabilities or fiscal degradation. The current city policy authorizes travel for these exceptions or with approval from the mayor’s office.