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County Workers Vote to Cut Pay Raises as Deficit Grows
Clark County workers approved an agreement in early April to reduce annual pay raises, a decision that will save taxpayers millions of dollars a year through mid-2011. The workers are members of Service Employees International Union Local 1107, the largest of three unions representing county workers.
"Our employees were under no obligation to change the terms of their existing contract, but we asked for their help and they responded with an extraordinary display of support for the county during this difficult time," Commission Chairman Rory Reid said. "I am grateful for their willingness to work with us and be our partner in addressing our budget problems."
Commissioner Reid initiated meetings with union representatives in November seeking help to address budget issues. Workers approved a 2 percent reduction in cost-of-living raises, and a 1 percent reduction to the top range of merit raises for Clark County and UMC employees, effective July 1.
"If there's a silver lining in all this economic turmoil, it's that we have the opportunity to make the county more efficient and we have an opportunity to work with our employees in ways that we haven't in the past," Commissioner Reid said.
The county started implementing budget reduction measures in May 2008 due to tax revenue loses from the downturn in the local economy. Revenue from property taxes, sales taxes and other sources continues to decline, and the county is now facing a growing budget deficit.
The county has taken several steps to address the budget shortfall, including keeping more than 400 positions vacant. In January, the county manager eliminated salary increases for the county and UMC management employees. Departments have presented a series of cost-containment reports to the County Commission since the beginning of the year. In March the County Commission approved the Voluntary Separation Program, which enables the county to downsize and restructure positions by allowing employees to voluntarily resign or retire.
More budget discussions will continue at upcoming public meetings. The Commission's Board Advance meeting is set for Friday, May 1, at 9:15 a.m. to discuss strategic priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The public hearing to finalize the budget is set for Monday, May 18, at 9:15.
"We still have a lot of tough decisions ahead, given the state of our local economy and the potential for the Legislature to make decisions that could make the county's budget deficit grow even wider," Commissioner Reid said.
State reductions in Medicaid funding already have lead to cuts in several programs at UMC, including high-risk obstetrics, outpatient oncology, mammography, and outpatient dialysis. Last year UMC provided more than $160 million in charity care to the uninsured or underinsured in our community.
Foster Families Needed in Six Key Zip Code Areas
If you live in one of six zip codes in our community, Clark County wants you to consider becoming a foster parent.
Clark County has more than 2,000 children in its foster care system. The top six zip codes from which the foster care children originate are 89101, 89115, 89030, 89108, 89121 and 89110. While more foster families are needed throughout the valley, the county is stepping up its foster care recruitment efforts in these zip codes to ease transitions for children.
"A child's world in many cases is as small as a few square miles," said Vickie Wilson, who recruits foster families for Clark County's Family Services Department. "Within that world are the familiar touchstones of life such as school, playgrounds, neighbors, and friends. Keeping foster children in their neighborhoods makes it easier for the foster family to work with the biological family for the good of the child."
Foster care professionals consider several factors when identifying foster care placements, including proximity to parents and siblings, the child's school, activities, and social network. Considerations also include the child's academic performance, existing friendships, and the chances of reunification with the natural parents for a safe return home.
Clark County hopes to increase the number of foster parents through new initiatives that target specific communities and demographic groups. This will include offering orientations and trainings, as well as targeted outreach in areas of high need.
"Participation from the public is essential to the success of this initiative and the success of the affected young people," said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid. "With assistance from the community, we can improve the lives of countless children and families."
For information about the Clark County Foster and Adoption Program, please contact us at 702-455-0181 or e-mail us at fosterclarkcounty@co.clark.nv.us.
Applications for Neighborhood Grants Program Due May 1
The May 1st deadline to apply for Neighborhood Grants is quickly approaching. Several thousand dollars are available for neighborhoods to apply for to help accomplish grassroots community efforts.
The Neighborhood Grants Program supports partnerships between Clark County and neighborhood organizations to produce neighborhood-initiated improvement projects, community organizing initiatives and community-building programs.
Through a competitive process, qualifying community and neighborhood organizations are awarded funds for specific projects to benefit neighborhoods in Clark County. Please call Blanca Vazquez at 455-8531 for more information.
Donation Drive Raises $250,000 for Cancer Institute
Clark County Commission Chairman attends Nevada Cancer Institute benefit on March 27.
Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid joined Commission Vice-Chair Susan Brager and Congresswoman Dina Titus to present a $250,000 check to Nevada Cancer Institute, the official cancer institute for Nevada.
The Vons Foundation raised the funding through employee and customer donations during the grocery chain's annual checkstand campaign in October 2008. More than 20 Vons stores in Southern Nevada participated in the effort.
The Nevada Cancer Institute will use the funding for breast cancer research and public awareness initiatives.
Mower Program Starts April 25 While Supplies Last
$200,000 donation from Nevada Energy doubles the number of mowers available this year from 1,000 to 2,000.
Back by popular demand, the 2009 Lawn Mower Exchange program will kick off on Saturday, April 25, at the Clark County Earth Day Rendezvous from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Star Nursery Practice Field at the Sam Boyd Stadium, 6800 Russell Road.
While supplies last, you can obtain an application to turn in your gas-powered motor in exchange for a voucher to receive an electric mower for $99. The eco-friendly mowers retail for about $400 each. This year’s program is funded by grants received from the Emissions Control Division of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and a $200,000 donation from NV Energy. The donation doubles the number of zero-emission mowers available this year from 1,000 to 2,000.
At Saturday’s kick-off event, a limited number of applications will be available at the event on a first come, first served basis. From the applications received, two electric lawn mowers will be raffled off. After Saturday, applications will be available at Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management Offices at the Clark County Government Center in downtown Las Vegas and Henderson City Hall. In 2008, the county’s full inventory of mowers was exchanged in about two weeks.
As part of the exchange program, gas-powered lawn mowers are turned in to a recycler. The mowers are destroyed and recycled for their scrap metal value. Only one lawn mower may be exchanged per household.
To participate in the mower exchange program, you must be a resident of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City or unincorporated Clark County within the Las Vegas Valley.
The three-step application process is as follows:
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Obtain and complete an application/voucher at DAQEM located in the Clark County Government Center or Henderson City Hall Community Development Department.
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Deliver the application/voucher and your gas-powered lawn mower to the recycler (AAEQ).
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Call the lawn mower manufacturer’s (NEUTON) toll-free number 1-800-982-4358 to schedule delivery of your mower and to pay the $99 co-payment.
More information about the mower exchange program is available on the Department of Air Quality & Environmental Management’s Web site or contact the agency at (702) 455-2949.
Allergy Sufferers Beware: Pollen Season in Bloom
If you find yourself sneezing more than usual this spring, it's no surprise. Pollen season is in full bloom, and the Air Quality forecasts predict even more pollen than usual this year due to the amount of rainfall we have received.
From March through mid-April, Mulberry trees produce the first wave of pollen pollution in the valley. Pollen from ash, cedar and pine trees also is released during the same time. The second wave comes in May with the burst of pollen from olive trees, according to Monte Symmonds, Sr. Monitoring Technician for the Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management (DAQEM).
"Olive trees usher in the second phase of the season along with assistance from oak, privet, mesquite, and palm trees," Symmonds said. Other pollen producers in May include ragweed, salt bush and pig weed. The following tips can help you minimize your exposure to pollen.
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Keep windows in your home and car closed as much as possible.
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Wear a mask while gardening or mowing the lawn.
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After being outside, you should change your clothes and remove your shoes.
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Take a shower and wash your hair to remove pollen.
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Select indoor and outdoor plants least likely to cause allergies.
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Visit your physician to receive the proper care for pollen allergies as needed.
The Air Quality Department collects pollen samples throughout the year, but from March through May they increase their samplings retrieved from eight monitoring stations in the valley. The data is analyzed to produce pollen reports. These reports are posted on the county's website at www.accessclarkcounty.com.
You also can sign up to receive free, daily air quality e-mail alerts through the department’s EnviroFlash service, www.enviroflash.org. Click on “Registered Subscribers.”
Famous Sign Clears Step For National Register Placement
 The "Welcome to Las Vegas Sign" has been a fixture on South Las Vegas Boulevard since 1959.
The iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign is one step closer to being placed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The state Board for Museums and History voted unanimously in March to forward to the National Park Service Clark County's nomination of the sign for placement in the National Register of Historic Places. The Park Service could act on that recommendation as soon as this May. The Register is the official means used by the Park Service to recognize historic resources.
"This sign has become a very important symbol for our community," said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid, whose district includes the sign. "Untold thousands have had their photos taken in front of the sign. Placing the sign in the National Register makes eminent sense, especially now during the county's centennial year."
The county, in its application for placement in the Register, argues that the sign meets National Park Service criteria for being historically significant in these ways:
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Its association with the post-World War II entertainment, tourism and advertising industries. The 1950s saw an explosion of casino construction on the Las Vegas Strip, and the development of national advertising into a fine art, which made Las Vegas one of the world's most desired tourist destinations.
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Designer Betty Whitehead Willis was a Las Vegas native and daughter of a pioneer Southern Nevada family. She attended art school in Los Angeles and had a career as a graphic designer before becoming a sign designer in the early '50s. Willis also designed, among others, the locally treasured Blue Angel Motel sign, and the 1955 Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino sign.
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The sign serves as an excellent example of Exaggerated Modern/Googie architecture (1940s-1960s), and has become a cultural icon.
The Welcome to Las Vegas sign was created in 1959 and is located on the Las Vegas Strip just south of Russell Road in unincorporated Clark County. It reads, "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" on the front and "Drive Carefully" and "Come Back Soon" on the back. The county recently improved access to the sign, a popular photo op, with the addition of a new parking lot in January.
May 'Centennial' Series Highlights Neon, Architecture
Clark County's celebration of its 100th birthday continues on Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m. with a roundtable discussion about the neon lights and architecture of the Las Vegas Strip that has made our community famous.
As part of the "Centennial Stories: Examining Our Past" series, Clark County hosts round-table discussions on the first Friday of each month about different local history topics.
The discussions feature local pioneers and history experts, and are held at the Clark County Government Center Commission Chambers from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each discussion is open to the public and is aired live on Clark County Television (CCTV) cable Channel 4 and video streamed on the county's Web site. The programs also are rebroadcast on Channel 4.
Prior topics include segregation in Las Vegas and the women of Clark County. The May 1 discussion about neon and architecture will feature the following participants:
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Brian "Buzz" Leming, YESCO sign designer
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Eric Strain, Architect, former board member, Neon Museum
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Helga Watkins, Associate Professor, UNLV Art Dept.
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Dr. David Schwartz, Director, UNLV Library Center for Gaming Research
Other Centennial Stories discussions scheduled for upcoming first Fridays in 2009 are as follows:
June 5: The History of the Strip: The Early Years
July 1: The History of the Strip: Howard Hughes & Beyond
August 7: The Mob and Las Vegas
Sept. 4: Hispanics in Clark County
Oct. 2: Entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip
Nov. 6: Military History in Clark County
Dec. 4: Marketing Las Vegas
Additional information about the centennial is available at www.AccessClarkCounty.com/100. Clark County was formed on July 1, 1909, out of what had been Lincoln County. The city of Las Vegas, which includes downtown and the area north of the Las Vegas Strip, would be formed two years later in 1911.
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