Editorial: A tale of two cities

Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 | 8:47 a.m.

Results of a recent audit show that North Las Vegas' municipal government needs to develop a big-city outlook.

The Las Vegas Sun reported this week that a California-based consultant, which the city hired to audit its operations, made 97 recommendations for improving the city's leadership and management. They included adding staff and keeping the offices open five days a week, rather than four.

With 181,000 residents, North Las Vegas is the third-fastest growing city in the nation, and its population increases by about 1,200 residents a month. The audit predicts it eventually will have about 600,000 residents.

But the growth will hurt more than help if North Las Vegas officials don't "move toward a 'big-city' orientation," the audit says, starting with stabilizing the government. The city has had four city managers in five years and lacks communication and consistent policies among its departments.

In addition to addressing these issues, the report says, the city should create a centralized office to handle permits and other licensing for businesses and developers.

Probably the most contentious recommendation is the suggestion that the city government offices be open on Fridays. North Las Vegas employees have been working a four-day, 36-hour week since 1977. And a five-day work week has long been opposed by Teamsters Local 14, which covers many of the city's staff, maintenance and clerical workers.

Some city officials and council members took issue with the audit's findings. Mayor Mike Montandon said there is "no way" they could act on all of the recommendations. But North Las Vegas officials should look beyond what they think they can't do and make some changes.

At the very least, North Las Vegas should keep its offices open five days a week, as other large municipalities do, centralize the permitting process and improve departmental communication and policies. Managing growth is the hurdle of the day for every municipality in the Las Vegas Valley, and North Las Vegas isn't any different.