ANSWERS: CLARK COUNTY:

Likely cost of state mandate on marking sewer lines: $700,000

Two high-tech trucks that would find sewer laterals carry that price tag

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 | 2 a.m.

I hear another unfunded mandate from the state Legislature may force Clark County to buy two trucks for just under $700,000. It has to do with sewage, apparently. The old saying is that, uh, “stuff” rolls downhill, but can you explain the force behind this expense?

About 700,000 sewer “laterals” in Clark County are not marked. A lateral is the pipe that extends from the sewer main in the middle of the street to a home or business. Because those pipes aren’t marked, they could be accidentally cut into by cable, gas and electric companies digging trenches. This can be a dangerous mix because sewage creates the explosive gas methane. Homes in other states have exploded when those sewer laterals were accidentally breached and the gas was sparked.

So the 2009 Legislature passed a law: Those laterals have to be located and marked. It’s a process that will take 10 years or more. For the first 15 months, the cost to do the locating and marking will be borne by whatever utility or entity asks to have the sewer lateral located.

Who pays after 15 months?

Then local governments pay.

Whose idea was that?

Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, chairman of the Senate Government Affairs Committee, introduced the measure, which makes counties with more than 40,000 people and large sewer systems foot the bill. Lee is in the plumbing business, by the way. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

And how much is that marking expected to cost? And how will the county pay for it?

To start the work, the County Water Reclamation District, the agency responsible for the sewer system, this week will ask the county commission to approve the $683,586 purchase of two trucks from Advanced Infrastructure Technologies of Gardena, Calif. The recommendation includes the “option to procure additional trucks.”

Water Reclamation estimates that in the first 15 months, it would collect between $300,000 and $500,000 in sewer lateral-locating charges from utilities planning to dig but needing Water Rec’s help to locate sewer lines. Expenses during that period will range from $370,000 to $590,000. After that point, Water Rec’s goal is to absorb the expense into its operating budget, spokesman Marty Flynn said. The new state law, however, does allow rates to be increased to cover the costs.

At those prices, are these gold-plated monster trucks?

They are trucks with closed-circuit television equipment that remotely controls cameras that are wheeled into sewer mains to look for sewer laterals. The device sends out a signal readable to someone on the ground, who marks the lateral’s location.

•••

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and City Councilman Steve Ross sent a letter last week urging county commissioners to hurry up and award the long-delayed $100 million-plus contract to widen the Las Vegas Beltway from Tenaya Way to Decatur Boulevard.

What’s the latest?

The commission has the contract on its agenda for this week, but Commissioner Tom Collins said Friday it’s likely to be postponed. That’s because he has sued, questioning a judge’s order banning him and Commissioner Steve Sisolak from voting on the bids. Collins said a hearing to examine that decision by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones is set for Tuesday morning, the day that the commission is slated to vote.

Another hitch in the possible vote is likely to come in the form of new information from county staff that Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said will show that the need to widen that section of the Beltway isn’t as great anymore. “The volume of traffic isn’t there,” she said. “Now there are other parts of the Beltway that could use improving.”

•••

Though Clark County department heads came up with a collective budget reduction of only 2.8 percent instead of the 5 percent that County Manager Virginia Valentine requested, it looks as if county department managers may not be immune from the belt tightening after all.

Why, what’s new?

The Clark County Commission this week will consider a “separation program” that will allow for managers to participate. “But we’re also going to review our management structure across the county and see if there are areas where we can reorganize management and potentially eliminate management positions,” Don Burnette, the county’s chief administrative officer, said.

The county has about 180 employees in management positions, about 2.5 percent of its workforce. About 28 percent of the county’s management positions are vacant.

Discussion: 11 comments so far…

By davidcurtis

11/1/09 at 6:56 a.m.

Suggest removal

Nevada should pass a law saying the word "mandate" will be interpreted as "recommendation" by all interested parties.
By perry161492

11/1/09 at 8:31 a.m.

Suggest removal

another politician looking after for himself
By term25600

11/1/09 at 9:28 a.m.

Suggest removal

I cant believe that in the midst of a recession, that clark county actually is moaning and groaning about a 5% spending reduction. There is so much waste inherent in the programs it does have already its unbelievable.

Start with the idea that clark county projects must employ contractors who pay the MOST to their workers. That is insanity. How about trying to get the work done as cheaply as possible? The rest of us all have to do that, so why not the county.

Meanwhile they waste thousands on laws regulating ferel cats. Not to mention trying to shut down the club industry for less than 'family friendly' policies.

Its time to really cut into their budgets and bring em down to size. We just DONT NEED all this local government, and we certainly cant afford it.
By wizardofOz

11/1/09 at 12:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

"...About 700,000 sewer "laterals" in Clark County are not marked...."

WHAT THIS REALLY SAYS IS THE LOW-LIFE WORM POLITICAL TYPES WHO APPOINTED THEIR PALS ONTO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AND

THEN NEVER MANDATED "MARKING" OF SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AS THEY WERE BUILT, SO THEY COULD

LET THEIR "DONATING" CONSTRUCTION PALS BUILD 'EM NICE AND CHEAP (WITHOUT MARKING THEM), FOR A BIG FAT REAL ESTATE PROFIT

WHICH THEY KNEW YOU'D HAVE TO PICK UP THE TAB FOR, LATER.

I TOLD YOU THEIR WOULD BE "CLEAN UP" TAXES ON THIS REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPEMENT MESS.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

(No question, have your checkbook ready, you are going to get royally "s*rewed"...)
By wizardofOz

11/1/09 at 1:04 p.m.

Suggest removal

"...Though Clark County department heads came up with a collective budget reduction of only 2.8 percent instead of the 5 percent that County Manager Virginia Valentine requested, it looks as if county department managers may not be immune from the belt tightening after all...."

THESE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE LAME.

MOST OF THEM GOT THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEY KNEW SOMEBODY EITHER ON THE COMMISSION, OR IN SOME OTHER ELECTED OFFICE.

THEIR M.B.A's, Ph.D.'s, and every other "Degree" they have are one step above

USELESS.

They couldn't run a business if their world depended on it.

CLARK COUNTY DOESN'T HIRE ANYONE WITH EXPERIENCE, ONLY DEGREES AND CONNECTIONS.

I AM SURPRISED THEY ALL CAN FIND THEIR WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING.
By mar100

11/1/09 at 1:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

The big question is why weren't the lines marked and noted at the time of installation? It would also be interesting to see who made what political campaign contributions to Senator Lee, the plumber. Has the political corruption of Washington D.C. finally traveled to Carson City? I'll bet the vehicles the county will purchase have GM chassis, made by union workers and will be operated by union members.
By wizardofOz

11/1/09 at 2:27 p.m.

Suggest removal

"...That's because he has sued, questioning a judge's order banning him and Commissioner Steve Sisolak from voting on the bids...."

TOM:

I AM IN YOUR CORNER ON THIS ONE,

BUT

ONLY IF YOU SUBPOENA ALL THE OTHER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND OTHERS WHO DID THIS AND HAVE THEM TESTIFY UNDER SWORN OATH ABOUT WHAT THEY DID.

AND-ONLY-IF.

I fervently believe that you and Sisolak have the RIGHT to vote (and the unbending sacred legal responsibility for its ramifications) on ANY issue before the Commission, even if it's the most

STUPID, MORONIC, IDIOTIC, DISGUSTING, OR BRILLIANT VOTE EVER RECORDED, DOESN'T MATTER.

You were Constitutionally elected to Vote. And ANYONE who conspired, colluded, or denied your right as a Commissioner to vote SHOULD BE EXPOSED UNDER OATH AND PUNISHED UNDER LAW.
By VegasResident

11/4/09 at 8:04 a.m.

Suggest removal

"The Clark County Commission this week will consider a "separation program" that will allow for managers to participate. "But we're also going to review our management structure across the county and see if there are areas where we can reorganize management and potentially eliminate management positions," Don Burnette, the county's chief administrative officer, said.

The county has about 180 employees in management positions, about 2.5 percent of its workforce. About 28 percent of the county's management positions are vacant."
-------------------------------------
I read the paperwork on their website.

First to voluntary program is offered to both management and non management.

Second, it includes an INVOLUNTARY separation program for management (read: layoffs) which is good because I know departments where over 30% of the staff is management and you hear management saying..."oh the separation program still isnt sweet enough...I will wait till it gets better when the County is really hard up" At least now they will be tossed out.

Third, the program DOES NOT INCLUDE the fire department which is made up of the most overpaid employees in the County who gave up ZERO, BUPKIS, NADA f their raises, educational reimbursements, COLAs, etc.

And yet again, the fire department comes out on top
By VegasResident

11/4/09 at 8:07 a.m.

Suggest removal

"The county has about 180 employees in management positions"
______________________________

FOUL! there are more than that for sure. Only 180 managers in 12,000 employees? 1 out of 66 employees? I do not know who they include, but they should include the hundreds and hundreds of useless Supervisor positions that sit between Management and the actual workers and whom do nothing except collect over $100,000 a year.

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