Keller not criticizing city officials over study

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 2:02 a.m.

Sheriff Jerry Keller has refused to criticize Las Vegas' elected officials in his first comments on a city study that suggested Las Vegas could save $4 million on its share of Metro's police budget.

Keller, speaking hours after Metro released its response to the study Wednesday, instead stressed the need for more communication with city officials, noting that the city's Nov. 2 report relied on "erroneous data."

"What I see is a closer cooperation," Keller said.

The Metro response stated that many of the city's cost-saving ideas were based on incorrect information or assumptions. Keller said none of the cost-saving ideas were valid.

But he refused to chastise city officials for their study, instead letting his data stand.

"There's not one single snide comment in here," he said holding the 2-inch-think response to the city's 150-page report. "We're not sniping at them."

The dueling reports started in September when word the city was conducting an audit of Metro Police led to speculation that the city wanted to pull out of the combined police force. Mayor Oscar Goodman ended that speculation last month when he announced deconsolidation would not be considered.

But the city's report stated there needs to be better communication with Metro, one of the few points Keller agreed with.

"I'm not sure how we will improve communication, but I meet with the city and county manager every month," he said. "I work two floors down from the mayor and City Council and on the same floor as the city manager. We welcome the opportunity."

Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said sometimes the various agencies just aren't in the habit of sitting down and talking.

"The major part of the problem is that there are talks between the city and Metro and the city and the county and the county and Metro. All three need to sit around the table," she said.

The city will name someone as a liaison to Metro to open more communication, Deputy City Manager Steve Houchens said.