Drop in Metro expense expected

Erin Neff

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000 | 10:04 a.m.

The funding controversy that erupted last fall and led to the rumored break-up of Metro Police was long gone Wednesday when the Las Vegas City Council unanimously approved the city's funding percentage of the department.

The board approved an apportionment plan that could reduce the city's expense for police services by $1 million if ultimately included in Metro's fiscal year 2000-2001 budget.

"If the cost distribution remains as it is now, we will save $1 million," said Mark Vincent, the city's finance director.

The city's weighted average share of Metro's expenses will drop about 6 percent, translating into a 1.4 percent decrease in the overall amount the city spends on Metro.

Metro's apportionment formula takes into account population statistics, calls for service, felony crimes and school crossing guard hours.

The city's reduction is due mostly to a decrease in felony crimes within the city's limits, Vincent said.

The Clark County Commission on Tuesday approved the apportionment plan. Clark County will actually spend more in the 2000-2001 fiscal year.

The county will pay 54.8 percent of the cost for uniform services, 58.9 percent for investigative services and 47.7 percent for community services. The city will pay the difference in each category.

Now that both the County Commission and City Council have approved the preliminary apportionment plan, Metro will form its budget. That budget will then come before the Fiscal Affairs Committee, the county and the city for final approval.