The Los Angeles City Council took action on Controller Ron Galperin’s recommendations from his March 2018 report on idle funds, effectively reactivating $3.6 million to benefit city taxpayers.

Idle funds are special funds earmarked for a specific city use that haven’t been touched for three or more years. Over the past year, the controller has worked with the city administrative officer, City Council and other departments to determine how the city can repurpose and use these funds to cut traffic, enhance public safety and build affordable housing.

“Today’s vote frees up $3.6 million to reduce traffic congestion, repay outstanding loans and fund city programs for seniors,” Galperin said. “Now that a plan is in place for these funds, the city can work toward finding solutions for the more than $20 million that remain idle and can be used for neighborhood needs.”

Less than a year after his idle funds report, Galperin released a comprehensive report on the city’s 700-plus special funds. Galperin pointed out that the city lacks standard rules on how to create or use special funds, resulting in tens of millions of dollars that could pay for vital city services going unspent.

The controller’s 2019 special funds report is currently pending in the Los Angeles City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.

Galperin also created a web page on special funds featuring easy-to-read charts and graphs that detail the function of each fund, which department controls them and the fund balances. Users can browse special funds and review the controller’s recommendations on what to do with each remaining idle fund.

For information, visit lacontroller.org/audits-and-reports/special-funds.