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Economic Downturn Strains County Budget
The continuing economic downturn in our local economy comes as no news to many of the families feeling the strain of layoffs, higher gas prices, and market instability. These conditions have caused families, businesses, and governments to significantly tighten their belts in order to survive.
The state government's most recent report on consolidated tax – a tax that comprises almost 40 percent of the county’s budget and has sales tax as a main component – shows a steep decline of more than 10 percent compared to the same month a year earlier. These results represent a continuing downward trend that prompted Clark County to implement strict cost containment measures in May 2008. These measures include holding more than 350 open positions vacant, restricting overtime to critical needs, and severely restricting travel and training for employees. At the same time that Clark County is experiencing a decline in revenue, county departments that serve the needy have seen a steep increase in caseloads. The Department of Social Service, for example, has experienced a 35 percent increase in caseloads over just a year ago.
Still, some legislators and other local governments are left scratching their heads about why Clark County seems to have been able to weather the fiscal storm more successfully than the state and other local governments. The answer lies partly in the structure of Clark County and partly in its philosophy.
First, the structure of Clark County is such that the County Commission is scheduled to meet at least twice a month, compared with the state’s legislature that meets for 120 days every two years. This allows the board to react quickly to economic changes, making adjustments on an ongoing basis.
The second structural difference is that Clark County budgets on an annual basis using an average of the last five years of actual revenues. This long-range view provides a more stable prediction of revenues that is not as vulnerable to the ups and downs of the economy. The state, on the other hand, attempts to predict revenues for the next two years and develops a two-year budget based on what they predict will happen with the economy. When revenues fall short of the predictions, the state must cut appropriations to make up the difference.
The third difference is philosophical in nature and stems from the board's commitment to the "Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TBOR)," first adopted in 1993 and re-adopted most recently in 2003. Among the commitments contained in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights is a commitment to keep the countywide and unincorporated town tax rates at or below the rates existing when the Bill of Rights was passed. Other commitments include the commitment not to spend into a deficit, keep at least 8.3 percent to 10 percent of funds in reserve, and to restrict growth in the operating budget to a function of growth and the consumer price index.
In part because of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights philosophy held by the board, Clark County has the leanest staff in Southern Nevada. Clark County has experienced a steady decline of the ratio of staff per resident. Currently, Clark County has a staff of 2.5 employees per 1,000 residents, compared to 6.7 staff per 1,000 residents in North Las Vegas, 4.8 staff per 1,000 residents in Las Vegas, and 6.8 staff per 1,000 residents in Henderson. So far, this lean staffing ratio coupled with conservative budgeting has allowed Clark County to weather the financial storm effectively.
Despite the careful management and conservative budgeting, the same fiscal downturn that has affected the state and other local governments has also affected Clark County. In addition, cuts in state services like health care and services to those in need have a tremendous impact on Clark County. Earlier this month, the state of Nevada cut Medicaid reimbursement rates, which will mean millions of dollars lost to University Medical Center in worthwhile areas like care for infants with serious ailments.
The County Commission remains committed to weathering this economic storm with the same prudence and careful management that has served Clark County well in the past. We look forward to finding new ways to provide needed services to our citizens while ensuring good fiscal management.
County Participates in Quake Recovery Training Course
A delegation of 70 representatives from Clark County and local organizations participated in September in an intensive emergency management course at the National Emergency Training Center's Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Md.
The training, which was paid for by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency focused on recovery efforts from the aftermath of a fictional earthquake striking the valley, and included scenarios tailored to the community's infrastructure. Participants included staff from county departments and management, in addition to the American Red Cross and United Way, area cities, and several local agencies.
A video from Emmitsburg and short interviews with county officials are posted on the county's Web site.
The primary hazards Clark County faces are communicable disease, wildfires, flash floods, earthquakes, drought and river flooding. In the event of a significant emergency, the county activates its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate a multi–agency response.
Emergency Preparedness Begins At Home
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, but experts say emergency preparedness is a year–round concern that begins at home.
"There are three basic steps everyone should take to be prepared for an emergency," said Jim O'Brien, manager of Clark County 's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. "The first step is to build an emergency supply kit to meet your family's basic needs for three to five days. You also need to create a plan so you and your family know how you connect with one another in the event of an emergency. It's also important to educate yourself about the types of emergencies we're prone to in Southern Nevada, and to be sure to tune into radio or TV in the event of an emergency for information."
The Office of Emergency Management has lots of information about disaster preparedness posted on its Web site, including a calendar that provides step–by–step instructions for building an emergency supply kit over several months.
In addition to wildfires and flash floods, earthquakes are a possibility in Southern Nevada, as evidenced by the 5.4 earthquake near Los Angeles in July that shook parts of urban Clark County . Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the nation after California and Alaska . Officials say residents should secure items in their homes that might come loose as a result of shaking from a quake.
"Most injuries that occur from earthquakes are a result of falling objects," said Ron Lynn, director of the county's Development Services Department and chairman of the Nevada Earthquake Safety Council. "It's important to properly secure items in your home that could fall, including bookcases, large pictures and any items that hang above your head."
Wetlands Neighborhood Park to Open Soon
Construction is almost complete on the small neighborhood park scheduled to open in November within the 2,900-acre Wetlands Park .
The new Wetlands Neighborhood Park is located within the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve Expansion Phase II project area. The entrance is located off Wetlands Park Lane near East Tropicana and Hollywood .
Features include two picnic tables with shade shelters, turf, children’s play area with wetlands-themed climbing animals and climbing walls, restrooms, and a parking area. The neighborhood park will be open the same hours as the Wetlands Park – dawn to dusk.
The Nature Preserve Expansion Phase II expands the amenities in the already developed Nature Preserve. By the end of 2008, three miles of trails will be added and three miles will be rebuilt. Other additions include three ponds, connected by streams, and a maintenance building and yard.
Outside of the Nature Preserve at the Duck Creek Trailhead off of Broadbent, the Duck Creek, Quail Run and Coyote trails are being enhanced. In some spots, workers are applying a resin coating to harden the trails, while in other areas they are building bridges and boardwalks.
Meanwhile, the Nature Preserve is being expanded with construction on the Nature Center scheduled to start in 2009. The Nature Center, which will take about 18 to 24 months to finish, will feature an interpretive gallery, an auditorium, two classrooms, a research laboratory, a cafe and a 14-foot-high observation deck with a view of the wetlands and surrounding mountain range. The auditorium will showcase the park's vegetation, wildlife, the Las Vegas Wash and evidence of inhabitants dating back as long as 10,000 years ago.
Most of the master-plan funding to Wetlands Park comes from federal land sales made in Southern Nevada . The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has funded about $87 million in development costs. An eight-year-old state bond approved for park construction will fund $10 million in improvements, including $7 million to build the 30,000-square-foot Nature Center.
Paradise Park to Host Free Jazz Concert Sept. 25
A free jazz concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, at Paradise Park & Recreation Center , located at 4775 S. McLeod Drive .
The Shapiro Project, a local jazz quartet, will perform for the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department event. The band is scheduled to perform until 8:30 p.m.
The public is invited to bring a picnic, blankets, and low chairs to enjoy the show.
Nevada Senior Olympics Set for Sept. 23–Oct. 19
Area seniors will put their athletic mettle to the test at the 2008 Nevada Senior Olympic Games.
The games will be held Sept. 23 through Oct. 19 at venues throughout Clark County .
The annual games feature more than 80 events in 25 athletic categories, including archery, track and field, badminton, swimming, roller skating and power lifting. A complete schedule is posted here.
Participants in Nevada ’s games may qualify to compete in the 2009 National Senior Games that will be held at Stamford University near San Francisco .
The closing ceremony, which will incorporate a celebration of life theme, be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. The cost is $35 per person. The keynote speaker is Dr. Charles Bernick, medical director of the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute. A flyer about the ceremony is posted here. You also can may reservations by calling (702) 242-1590.
Paradise Area Utility Boxes Get `Zapped' With New Art
A variety of new artwork is on display on utility boxes in the Paradise neighborhood of District G as part of the latest phase of a community art project called “ZAP 2.”
Using utility boxes as canvases, local artists are displaying their talents as part of the ZAP art project. Residents can meet the ZAP 2 artists at a reception on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. in the Paradise Community Center at 4775 S. McLeod Drive .
The first phase of the ZAP project was unveiled in 2005 with paintings on 12 utility boxes in Paradise . The latest phase of the project added nine utility boxes featuring several different styles of art.
The new utility boxes are located on portions of McLeod Drive , Tropicana Avenue , Harrison Drive and Topaz Street . A map posted here shows the locations of ZAP 2 Art in the district with artist names.
Maps Showing Safe Routes to Schools Available Online 
Clark County ’s Department of Public Works offers information on its Web site so you can map out a safe route to local elementary and middle schools.
Clark County partners with the School District and other local jurisdictions on a community-wide Safe Route to School Program. Clark County Public Works conducts an annual inventory of school-related control devices within a two-mile walking radius of schools, so parents or guardians can designate a route for their children. Families also can print maps from the Web site showing walking routes to specific schools.
A handout containing additional information about school zones also is available from Public Works. School speed zones are in effect from 30 minutes prior to school starting to 30 minutes after school ends when children are present or when the flasher is operating on school days. Along the frontage of schools, the speed limit is 15 miles per hour during the reduced times where signs indicated the reduction is in effect or the flashers are operating.
At the designated locations where school–aged pedestrians are crossing roadways away from the school property, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour during the reduced times where signs indicate the reduction is in effect or the flashers are operating. Also, it's important to note that some schools operate on a 12–month calendar and these locations are marked accordingly with signs. |