North Las Vegas declares a fiscal emergency

Fox News/Associated Press, 6/22/12/  "Financially-strapped Nevada city declared disaster"

Warm weather most of the year, especially in summer

North Las Vegas population roughly doubled from 2000 to 2010 (city size 223,394).  The economy declined, along with property values-- while planned city infrastructure spending increased.   ....  "the city doubled its staff, built a new park each year and, in 2009, started construction on a sparkling $130 million City Hall."  2011-13, two year City employee cutback 279, roughly 28%."  

....  "No matter that the statute, which allows municipalities to suspend union contracts and avoid paying scheduled salary increases, doesn't actually include fiscal emergencies among the list of potential disasters.  There are many cities across the nation grappling with declining property values and growing expenses like North Las Vegas, but few, if any, have declared financial emergency.

....  Without the emergency declaration, the city claims it would have to lay off 217 public safety workers to afford the salary increases required under its police and fire union contracts. Libraries would close and recreation centers would no longer offer swimming and Spanish classes.

.... ".... residents have urged City Hall to keep its libraries and recreation centers and sacrifice public safety, which accounts for 66 percent of the city's budget. In all, the city expects to go from 1,000 public safety employees in 2011 to 721 in 2013. The City Council voted Wednesday night to turn its jail services over to the city of Las Vegas in a move expected to save $16 million annually."   Read Article.

Not the end of the world, just a sand trap

Related - article,  Las Vegas Sun/Brian Nordi, 6/28/12. "North Las Vegas mayor confident bold actions were needed."   And from Area Vibes Demographics.

Related -  The fiscal impact.  "Auditor-Controller: Marcia Salter. ... Resolution authorizing and directing the Treasurer of the County of Nevada to temporarily  transfer funds in the amount of $678,000 to the City of Nevada City to meet the obligations incurred for operation and maintenance of the City through April 26, 2012. The 2012/13 property tax remittance to the City for December 2012 and April 2013 allocations will be reduced by the Auditor-Controller in an amount equal to fifty percent of the authorized temporary borrow amount. Such repayment shall be with an interest charge at the Treasurer’s pooled interest rate plus 0.5% for an administrative charge."  Is it 2012 in Navada County Yet" conservative  Blog.

Submitted by Jim Alex

Posted by Kathy Meeh