County to increase funding for Metro

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005 | 8:34 a.m.

Clark County may increase its funding of the Metro Police budget by $2.5 million beginning July 1 because of the county's increasing demand for police services, officials said Monday.

Metro's financial oversight committee, comprised of Las Vegas City Council members and county commissioners, approved the new funding formula Monday.

The formula is based on year-to-year changes in city and county populations, felonies and calls for service in each area.

Las Vegas' overall percentage share of the budget is expected to decrease based on the funding formula.

The County Commission and City Council are expected to decide whether to approve the formula in February. Metro's budget for the 2005 fiscal year should be finalized within the next several months.

Metro's total budget for the current fiscal year is $383 million.

The funding formula shifts every fiscal year. The county upped its contribution by $4 million in 2004. The year before, Las Vegas increased its funding while the county decreased its funding their funding of the department while county decreased its funding.