City’s spending increases by 9 percent in new budget

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 | 9:31 a.m.

The Henderson City Council on Tuesday adopted its 2005-2006 budget, which increases spending by 9 percent and adds 86 jobs.

The budget maintains existing programs and services but there are some additions, said Richard Derrick, the city's budget director. Henderson will add a third Municipal Court, five police officers for a traffic unit in eastern Henderson, eight dispatchers and an ambulance rescue unit.

The city will spend $183.6 million in its general fund, the budget that covers most services, up from the $168.4 million. By state law, the city was required to adopt its budget by Tuesday.

Overall, the city's spending will increase about 20 percent to $429 million. That figure includes the capital improvement program that can vary sharply from year to year. Henderson plans a special events plaza between City Hall and the Henderson Convention Center at a cost of $14 million.

Henderson has left its tax rate at 71.08 cents per $100 assessed valuation. That marks the 16th consecutive year at that level.

The state's approved tax caps will net the city $57.1 million in property tax revenue, down $500,000 from the $57.6 million initially budgeted. A tax cap approved by the Nevada Legislature limits the maximum increase homeowners pay to 3 percent.

Henderson plans to add 14 employees in the police department and five in the fire department. By June 2006, the city is budgeted to have 2,220 employees.