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Dear Residents,

I hope the new year finds you and your loved ones happy and healthy. I know many families are struggling during these uncertain economic times. Clark County has been working hard for many months to reduce expenses as declining tax revenues demand, while still maintaining responsible levels of service to the community. I unveiled a plan on Jan. 4 to make sweeping changes to the way the county does business, including developing a process to transition University Medical Center into becoming a non-profit hospital, teaching hospital or another financially viable model. More details about my plan are offered in an article below. In addition, I invite you to attend a District G town hall meeting on budget priorities on Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. My commission colleagues and I have some difficult fiscal decisions to make in upcoming months, and I welcome your thoughts and ideas. I am pleased to report that the county is continuing to fight for federal funding through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act in collaboration with local cities. To date we have received $35 million in stimulus funding for foreclosure recovery, infrastructure repair, energy efficiency, educational opportunities and other programs aimed at protecting those with the greatest need. This funding is critical to our community’s efforts to create jobs and invest in our future. Despite the downturn, we are a strong and resourceful community. I have faith we will see a brighter tomorrow and I hope you do as well. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

                                                                                                                     Sincerely,

District G Residents Invited to Jan. 13 Town Hall, 7:00 p.m.  

Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid will host a District G Town Hall meeting to discuss budget priorities on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 7:00 p.m. at Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive, just north of Desert Inn Road.

Commission Chairman Reid and other commissioners are holding town halls in their districts to seek community input on budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The town halls are part of a larger outreach effort that included the formation of the Committee on Community Priorities.

Commissioners organized the 15-member committee to engage residents in a community-wide discussion about budget priorities. Committee meetings began in August to reach out to citizens to gather new ideas to address budget challenges, control spending and shape budget priorities. These efforts include employee focus groups, surveys and town hall meetings within each commission district.

“I invite residents of District G to attend the upcoming town hall meeting because your input is important as we set our budget priorities for the fiscal year,” Commissioner Reid said. “Clark County is facing unprecedented budget challenges and is tasked with providing services to the community that no other government does, including courts, social services not provided by the state or federal government, and University Medical Center, our only public hospital in Southern Nevada. We don’t know when our revenue picture will turn around so it’s critical that we come together as a community and carefully consider what our priorities should be in these difficult economic times.”

The Committee on Community Priorities is scheduled to make recommendations to the full County Commission in January as the county begins formulating its budget priorities for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Committee meetings have focused on specific aspects of the county general fund budget, including mandated and non-mandated programs and services and expenses and any revenues related to those programs and services.

Commissioner Reid Unveils Plan to Overhaul County Government, UMC  

County Commission Chairman Rory Reid unveiled his plan Jan. 4 to balance the county’s budget and ensure fiscal stability while maintaining a high level of service to the public.

“Clark County has been confronting our budget shortfall for months, but we must do more to tighten our belt in these tough economic times,” Commission Chairman Rory Reid said. “Families across the region are being forced to live with less and government should be expected to do the same. My plan demands fiscal responsibility, promotes economic confidence and will create long-term sustainability in Clark County.”

The county had made cuts totaling $112.5 million since May 2008, when the first signs of the weakening economy appeared. Budget-cutting efforts have included freezing more than 500 positions, enacting a voluntary furlough program, separating hundreds of part-time employees. Despite these actions, major revenue sources such as property taxes and sales taxes continue to significantly decline. The county is facing a shortfall of about $70.3 million in the current fiscal year, ending July 2010, and a projected deficit of $126.2 million for fiscal year 2011.

Commissioner Reid proposes the following measures as a comprehensive approach to solving the county’s fiscal problem:

Changing Our Public Hospital:

§         Develop a process to manage the transition of University Medical Center to a nonprofit, a teaching hospital or another financially viable model. UMC received $143 million in county subsidies this year. Over the years, it has become the safety net for the entire region’s uninsured and indigent with little or no state support.

§         Conduct a comprehensive audit of the hospital’s quality of care to ensure a high level of service to all patients.

§         Plan for the hospital’s transition immediately after considering input from all stakeholders and establish definitive milestones to complete that transition.

Address Long-Term Labor Costs:

§         Ask employee organizations to immediately enter contract negotiations with open minds, understanding the difficult financial environment we all face. Existing labor costs, which account for more than 65 percent of the county budget, are not sustainable.

§         Cut county commission salaries at commensurate levels with employee rollbacks.

§         Work together with labor unions to structure sustainable agreements while limiting layoffs.

Create a Climate of Economic Confidence and Growth:

§         Partner with the private sector to create new jobs to bolster the local economy. These new jobs will promote long-term economic stability.

§         Prioritize budgeted items with respect to projects that can create jobs in the next year. These projects should be put out to bid immediately.

§         Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships that will further create jobs in Southern Nevada. County efforts should be aimed at creating a budget that helps private industry succeed and provides the community with essential infrastructure.

Identify Opportunities to Restructure and Reorganize:

§         Eliminate, centralize or consolidate certain management functions. Many county departments have their own human resource, information technology and finance managers. These managers could work across departments.

§         Determine opportunities to consolidate departments or services. The parks, facilities and detention departments all have maintenance divisions that may be more efficient when combined.

§         Examine other opportunities to reorganize service delivery within county departments.

Adopt Cost-Saving Recommendations from the Committee on Community Priorities:

§         Consider recommendations from the group of citizens appointed by the County Commission to find cost-saving measures.

§         Direct the county manager to assess final recommendations for potential savings.

§         Implement key efficiency recommendations in conjunction with action steps outlined here.

County Continues to Fight for Federal Stimulus Funds                

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), agencies throughout Clark County have applied for $436 million in stimulus funding from the legislation.

The grants are intended to help communities with foreclosure recovery, infrastructure repair, energy efficiency, educational opportunities and other programs aimed at protecting those with the greatest need. To date, Clark County has been awarded $44 million in stimulus money, including $16.3 million for new public works projects.

“It’s important that we fight hard for our share of federal stimulus money,” Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid said. “This money will help create jobs and reinvest in our community for the future.”

A $7.7 million grant the county received will help fund energy conservation projects, including the following: 

·  Conversion of 5,500 mercury vapor streetlights to induction light fixtures.

·  Installation of two, 30-kilowatt (KW) solar generation systems to reduce county electricity bills. The units will be installed on covered parking structures at the Government Center in downtown Las Vegas and the Department of Development Services building on Russell Road.

·  Comprehensive energy audits on 25 of the county’s largest buildings.

·  Building retrofit projects as identified by comprehensive energy audits at each county building. Work is expected to start in summer 2010.

The county is continuing to seek stimulus funding opportunities through the Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The county is competing with other states for the remainder of the money, so there is no guarantee that the projects will be funded and if so, how much will be funded. The public can track the status and spending of these grants on the county's ARRA Web site intended to increase transparency.

New Fire Station Opens at CityCenter to Serve Strip Area

CityCenter Fire Station will service CityCenter and surrounding areas on the Las Vegas Strip.

Clark County recently opened a new fire station at CityCenter.

CityCenter Fire Station 32 is expected to be one of the busiest in the county. Staff from there will respond to emergency medical and fire calls in CityCenter and the surrounding area along Las Vegas Boulevard.

This is the county’s first fire station built on a resort property. MGM MIRAGE paid the construction and equipment costs of the 5,700-square-foot station that houses a fire engine as well as a paramedic rescue unit.

"CityCenter is a great addition to our community and this station is a critical piece of the project,” said Commission Chairman Rory Reid, whose District G includes CityCenter. “This new fire station puts our emergency responders right next to the thousands and thousands of workers and visitors who will be coming here every day for many years to come.”

MGM MIRAGE also paid for a second paramedic rescue unit that is housed at a nearby fire station. In all, MGM MIRAGE is providing an estimated $28 million in public improvements under the CityCenter development agreement.     

The honor guard stands at the ready outside the new CityCenter Fire Station No. 32 duing dedication ceremonies on Dec. 10.

2010 Census Count means Jobs, Legislation and Help for Nevadans

It's important for all Clark County residents to fill out their U.S. Census forms when they arrive in mailboxes starting in March.

Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau must count all U.S. residents, both citizens and non-citizens.

This process is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and participation is required by law. However, the real story is that Census 2010 is more than just a head count of all residents. For Southern Nevadans it’s about jobs, power and money. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau plans to hire more than 4,800 workers in Nevada alone!

A complete count of all Nevada residents in 2010 will also help ensure that we receive an additional voice in the U.S. House of Representatives to fight on our behalf.

During these difficult economic times, it’s important to realize that Nevada will lose out on federal funds that should rightfully flow back to our state if you don’t participate in the census. It’s estimated that Nevada will lose $917 per person per year during the next 10 years for each person not counted during the census. That’s a lot of money when you consider that approximately 1.8 million people live in Southern Nevada alone.

These federal funds go to support programs that help Nevada children, seniors and families struggling to make ends meet.

If you have any questions about Census 2010, including how to apply for a job with the U.S. Census, please call (702) 853-1313 or write to info@SNVcounts2010.com.

Health District Expands H1N1 Vaccine Availability

The Southern Nevada Health District has expanded H1N1 vaccine availability to anyone in the community who wants a vaccination.

The Health District will continue to hold ongoing clinics to offer free H1N1 vaccines to the public. Information about clinics, including clinic schedules, is posted online at the Health District’s Web site. You also may contact the Nevada Helpline, (702) 759-4636 (INFO), for information.

The public also is urged to practice good health habits to prevent the spread of influenza. Recommendations include:  

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Free Christmas Tree Recycling Offered Until Jan. 15 

Residents are invited to drop off their trees during daily business hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recycled tress are chipped into mulch and used for environmentally-friendly landscaping projects at the Springs Preserve and throughout the valley.

Be sure to remove your tree stand and all your decorations.

The Springs Preserve is located at 333 Valley View Blvd., near U.S. 95 at Valley View across from the Meadows Mall. For more information about the preseve and events at the facility, call (702) 822-7705.      

 Emergency preparedness items are good gifts year-round.

Your holiday shopping may be over, but emergency preparedness items make good gifts  for family members and friends anytime of year.

“Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere,” said Clark County Emergency Manager Jim O’Brien.

Emergency managers recommend taking a few minutes during a family gathering to discuss with loved ones what they would do in case of an emergency or disaster and how you would get in touch with one another if separated. It’s best to choose a primary and secondary meeting place in case an emergency affects your home or neighborhood. You also should designate an out-of-state contact for family members to call in the event they are separated. In an emergency, it's often easier to call out-of-state than within an affected area.

In addition to creating a family communications plan, it’s important to be informed of hazards your area faces and to tune into local TV and radio during emergencies.  The hazards Clark County is most vulnerable to include: communicable disease, wildfire, flooding, earthquake and extreme heat. Emergency managers recommend you build a disaster supply kit before an emergency strikes. Several recommended items make good gifts anytime of year:

• Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first-aid kits, food, water, prescription medications, extra clothing, blankets and flashlights)

• NOAA weather radios with extra batteries

• Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class

• Smoke detectors

• Pet disaster kits (food, water, leashes, dishes, and carrying case or crate)

• Fire extinguishers (for kitchen, garage, car etc.)

• Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags)

Clark County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has more information about preparedness on its Web site. Additional Internet resources include the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Southern Nevada Health District.  

Cold Weather Can Catch Us By Surprise - Even in the Desert!

Even in sunny Clark County, cold weather can descend upon us during winter months.

In southern regions of the United States like ours, near-freezing temperatures (around 32 degrees) are considered severe cold. Severe cold damages vegetation and can freeze pipes causing them to burst.

Unusually cold temperatures are especially dangerous in areas not accustomed to them because residents are generally unprepared and may not realize the dangers severe cold present, including frostbite and hypothermia. The following tips will help you be prepared for cold temperatures and possible winter weather:  

• Stay tuned to local TV or radio stations or NOAA Weather Radio for information about weather conditions. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system for the National Weather Service. More information about the radios is available via www.nws.noaa.gov. 

• Use extreme caution while driving in winter storms. Most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow.
• Drive slowly and allow for greater braking distances.
• Accelerate and brake gradually.
• If coming from remote areas, drive with a full tank of gas and a cell phone. Also carry blankets, water and sustainable food.
• If you are stuck in a vehicle, stay in your vehicle and wait for help. Make the vehicle visible to rescuers. Tie brightly-colored cloth (preferably red) on your antenna or door. Raise the hood after the snow stops fallings, and turn on the dome light when running the engine for heat so you can be seen.
• Run the engine occasionally to keep warm, about 10 minutes each hour. Carbon monoxide can build up inside a standing vehicle while the engine is running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation.

• When outside in cold temperatures, dress to stay dry and to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia. Wear warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers. Outer garments should be tightly-woven, water repellent and have a hood.

• Protect pipes from freezing by:
• Wrapping pipes in insulation or layers of newspaper and then covering them with plastic to keep out moisture.
• Letting faucets drip a little.

• Operate space heaters according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

• Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.

• Never use a portable generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, including inside your home, garage, basement, or crawl space – even in areas with ventilation.

• Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in your home that meets safety standards. Battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup also are available.

Centennial Celebration Ends With Time Capsule Burial