Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

NLV’s budget cuts haven’t been enough

City must trim another $1.2 million this year, faces big shortfall in 2010

Beyond the Sun

The economic struggles facing municipalities were hammered home when the North Las Vegas City Council recently shaved $15 million off the current year’s budget.

The move came as no surprise. North Las Vegas — like all local municipalities — has made no secret of its financial struggle caused by the recession.

“Our financial world has been turned upside down,” said Phil Stoeckinger, finance director. “I don’t think we’ve seen the bottom yet.”

In a presentation to the council, Stoeckinger outlined the turmoil, headlined by an 8 percent drop over the past year, from $50.2 million to about $44.6 million, in consolidated tax revenue, which comes mainly from sales tax.

Additionally, the city is facing a drop in growth-related revenue over the past year, including fees paid by builders, of roughly 11 percent, from $70 million to $62 million.

The city has countered by continuing a hiring freeze for most positions, eliminating new vehicle purchases and cutting all department budgets by 3 percent.

It will also likely cut department budgets again next year as it faces an estimated $23 million shortfall in 2010.

North Las Vegas officials also said several projects, including a new police substation and a new fire station, have been delayed.

Even with the cuts, the city is looking to save another $1.2 million in 2009.

Stoeckinger said the city will consider renegotiating union contracts and eliminating services.

Also being considered: layoffs.

“That would be a worst-case scenario,” City Manager Gregory Rose said.

•••

North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon has said he plans to run for governor.

In the meantime, he’s trying to keep North Las Vegas’ financial standing in order as he winds down his time in office. Term limits will force Montandon to leave office in July.

But he has found time to start a blog.

No, he doesn’t discuss the possibility of life in Carson City at his site, blogs.mikemontandon.com. Nor does he support anyone in the five-candidate race to become the next mayor.

But it does offer peeks into his gardening hobby, running 5K races and the Boy Scout troop he leads.

•••

Municipal election season is in full swing with mayoral races in North Las Vegas and Henderson.

But the most contentious race may be in Boulder City, where 10 candidates are running for two City Council seats.

Councilman Mike Pacini will vacate his seat because of term limits and Councilwoman Andrea Anderson has decided not to run for reelection.

The Boulder City Council has been split on many issues over the past 18 months since council members Travis Chandler and Linda Strickland took office.

The pair have often questioned the city’s finances and leadership. They were also the subject of a recall effort last year.

Adding a third vote could help them make changes in city government, including possibly closing the city-owned Boulder Creek Golf Course.

They will have at least one friend running. Joe Roche, who owns a Las Vegas recycling center, campaigned against the recall last year.

Also, Bill Smith, a former council member and mayoral candidate who has been critical of city management, is running for a seat. Another City Hall critic in the race is Matt Di Teresa, a longtime resident who has been critical of city leaders on his blog.

Of course, there are other options for voters in the city of 15,000.

Former Library Director Duncan McCoy has criticized Chandler and Strickland on his campaign Web site.

Other candidates include: Tim Clifford, a business consultant and member of a flood control advisory board; Chris Gatlin, a local businessman; John Schleppegrell, a Planning Commission member, and Jim Reed and Anthony Pakula, both retired police officers.

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