County allocates $30 million for parks

Stephen Curran

Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | 11:09 a.m.

The Clark County Parks & Recreation Department was made $30 million richer on Tuesday after commissioners approved a plan to preserve natural habitats in the rapidly growing Las Vegas Valley.

The allocation, made as part of the county's Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Plan, comprised more than 40 percent of the $70 million in general fund revenues set aside for capital improvements to county facilities.

The plan, presented by county Chief Financial Officer George Stevens, was approved 6-0 but had been criticized by Commissioners Lynette Boggs McDonald and Bruce Woodbury, who said a separate process should be created to keep the parks money from eating up such a large chunk of the general fund. Both officials stopped short of publicly suggesting a permanent fix for the existing process.

"We just need to find a separate process to address these critical needs," Woodbury said.

The board last month adopted the parks improvement plan, which sets aside $20 million to supplement park funding and another $10 million from the capital projects tax for new projects meant to preserve open space.

The $70 million capital projects fund also includes more than $3 million for long-term additions to the delayed Regional Justice Center project, including planned expansions to allow for more courtroom space.

The $185 million justice center was initially expected to open in 2002 but has been plagued with building glitches county officials say were brought on by shoddy work by contractor AF Construction. Commissioners in April voted to remove the contractor from the project and the county has been in ongoing litigation. Some offices are now expected to move into the 17-story complex in October.

Tuesday's vote to earmark more money was part of a planned addition to empty space on the complex's 10th floor meant for two future courtrooms to be built by 2007, county spokesman Erik Pappa said. It was not related to the ongoing construction delays, he said.

In a related action, the commission approved the county's final budget, which has been on hold while officials weighed the impact of a legislative cap on property taxes statewide. Officials contend the $50 million dip in general funds would have little impact on the $1.3 billion budget.

The Legislature in April passed Assembly Bill 489, which imposed annual tax caps of 3 percent for homeowners and 8 percent for businesses. Taxes for all other properties will be capped based on a 10-year growth average.

The approved budget must now be sent to the state Department of Taxation. It was approved 6-0.

Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates was absent for both votes.