Six Questions :

Henderson’s toughest challenges: Mark Calhoun, City Manager

Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Henderson City Manager Mark Calhoun moved to Henderson from Michigan in 1983 to take a job as city engineer.

That’s a key part of his persona, he says: As an engineer, he’s conservative by temperament.

His fiscal conservatism could help as Henderson faces its worst budget crisis in recent memory. Calhoun replaced Mary Kay Peck in May. The City Council fired her the previous month, in part for creating a “culture of fear” in the office. Peck disputed the allegations and filed a wrongful termination suit, which was thrown out by a federal judge last month.

How have you adjusted to the job?

Since I became city manager, the economic situation has obviously gotten worse. Consolidated tax revenues have dropped. There have been a number of things the city has been doing to try to mitigate some of the loss of revenue.

Apart from the economic situation, what are the toughest challenges the city is facing?

They’re growth-related. Permits are down, new business activity is way down. The city’s population has stopped growing. So there’s not a lot of new housing, either residential or commercial, being built. Business is down, and that means our activity is down.

What is the scope of Henderson’s economic problems?

Our revenues are down more than 30 percent from where we were two years ago. From receiving $7 million to $9 million per month in consolidated tax revenue at that time, we’re now receiving about $5 million per month.

What have been the consequences at Henderson City Hall?

There are 200 hundred fewer people in our government than there were, from about 2,000 to 1,800 workers. That was done through a combination of general attrition, cutbacks, buyouts and early retirements.

How else is the government adjusting?

We’re tightening our belts. We’re trimming things back, such as travel. And I’m sure that if you talk to some of our employees, they’re really working much harder today. But there may be further personnel cuts. We’re hoping to save $12 million to $15 million annually.

How will Henderson residents be affected?

We have not yet made cuts to services, so we’re still performing as we did before, just with fewer people. We’re now discussing possible service cuts — but the timing and exact nature of these cuts will depend on what the City Council wants to do.

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By nednougat

Nov. 16, 2009

8:12 a.m.

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Funny how the problem is always addressed by the city hacks as "no growth". Why do we have to have continuing "growth"? Many cities and towns around the country have little or no growth. They even have small zoning and planning commissions to control growth. So they don't need huge government bureaucracies-inspectors, plan reviewers, redevelopment authorities, etc. They just sub out needed work to architects, etc. Think of it-no inflated salaries, no Union hacks, no bloated pensions and benefits.

Nah, too simple. I've been laid off many times, and I just went out and got another job. Henderson lives in fear of the "L" word. Why? Do you have an exclusive club catering to City employees?

Gee, I can't imagine controlling growth. Oh, that's right. Boulder City does. And it's right next door. It's not loaded up with empty office buildings, foreclosed homes and land torn apart and abandoned. Maybe the Henderson pols could take a drive to BC, and see what they could learn. It's only a couple of miles away-Right?

Nah, let's just raise taxes. "Damn Clark County-if we can change the laws up in Carson City, we can tax to our hearts delight". Right, Andy, our Mayor and lifetime pol?
By 2zero

Nov. 16, 2009

8:27 a.m.

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nednogot; I could not agree with you more!

And I know it is rare for me to say anything good about southern nevada, but, Mark Calhoun is a good man, a leader and a great manager.

Henderson should be grateful.
By hendersonite

Nov. 16, 2009

5:50 p.m.

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Good man? Just wait till the truth about him comes out. He's as crooked as can be.
By jsdspif

Jan. 19, 2010

8:42 a.m.

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to hendersonite ... you're nuts . I live in Michigan and stumbled across this looking for Marks email address . I have known Mark and his wife for about 40 years . I also worked for them for about 10 years when they owned Oshtemo Rollatorium . These people are honest to a
FAULT ! The truth about him has been in Henderson as long as he has . He's a hard working honest individual who has to make difficult decisions and unfortunately not everyone can be pleased . I just wish that all politicians could have the same integrity and honesty as Mark . The United States would be a lot better off .