NLV council denies jail will be privatized

In a lengthy discussion about the future operation of the financially struggling North Las Vegas Detention Center, the City Council and jail personnel tip-toed around a word that evoked much emotion -- privatization.

"We're not planning on doing what you think we're planning on doing," Councilwoman Stephanie Smith told the group of concerned and angry employees.

"That word is a bad word and a bad idea altogether," Paul Herrera, secretary and treasurer of the North Las Vegas Police Officers Association, said.

Mayor Mike Montandon tried to stop the talk about privatization before it began Wednesday evening, saying it was a rumor that started when discussions about the jail's financial state swept City Hall.

The City Council became deeply concerned about the detention center when it learned of its shortfalls during recent budget hearings. The facility's budget for next fiscal year is about $16 million, yet projected revenues from housing federal and state inmates equals only $7.5 million.

Council members ultimately recommended that North Las Vegas hire a consultant to find out how the jail can raise its revenues. A request for proposals will be issued next month.

"When we're talking about money this large, there is no shaving or twisting," Montandon said. "We need real answers. What's wrong or is anything wrong at all?"

Councilman William Robinson offered his own theory about why the jail is struggling. He said the county is only paying North Las Vegas $39 per inmate per day, while the federal government pays $65 per inmate per day.

Robinson made the vote unanimous by opting to hire a consultant, but he did it with some hesitation.

"To spend money on the analysis is still taking from the budget," he said. "This time I'll go along with it, but I don't plan on spending $50,000 or $100,000 for a consultant to come in and tell us what I already figured out myself."

While Montandon tried to quell the privatization rumor, some residents weren't convinced the idea was simply hearsay.

"Rumors don't spring out of nowhere," Tamara Crown told the council. "Someone must have mentioned privatization somewhere along the line."

Privatization of jails and prisons has become a trend nationwide. Cities and states turn to private companies to operate the facilities as cost-saving measures. Some, however, feel private employees are not as well trained as government law enforcement officers.

If the city was to privatize the detention center, its 200 employees likely would be laid off. Smith tried to comfort jail personnel by telling them the council not only isn't considering privatization, but it hasn't even discussed down-sizing.

"No one is talking about reducing wages or eliminating your jobs," she said. "We're just trying to do our job."

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