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Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
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Beyond the Sun
Just one month after approving a round of budget cuts intended to carry the city through the recession, plummeting tax revenues are prompting the Henderson City Council to consider additional cuts.
Consolidated tax revenue – the money collected on sales and other taxes that is distributed amongst local jurisdictions – fell 21.73 percent from June 2008 to June 2009. The money accounts for one-third of Henderson’s General Fund revenue.
Henderson Finance Director Steve Hanson said the decline was far greater than the 15 percent drop the city had forecast and marked a disturbing trend in that it was the second straight year of double-digit declines.
Between June 2007 and June 2008, consolidated tax revenue fell 13.92 percent. June 2009 also marked the 10th straight month of double-digit decline when compared to the same month in the previous year, and the 28th consecutive month of overall decline.
“What we’re seeing now is two years of year-over-year, double-digit decreases, and you have to go back quite a way to find something like that,” Hanson said. “We’re still not seeing a lot of bottoming action in the numbers.”
In August, the Council unanimously approved the first tier in a three-tier system of budget cuts. The cuts permanently deleted a number of vacant positions and cut line items throughout the city budget, creating projected savings of almost $9 million per year.
However, with tax revenue coming in so much lower than expected, it essentially negated 80 percent of what the Category 1 cuts would have saved Henderson last month, Hanson said.
Hanson said he will be briefing council members on Category 2 cuts, which include cuts to municipal services, in the coming weeks should their adoption become necessary.
If approved, the Category 2 cuts will save the city another $10 million to $12 million annually, and balance the budget based on current projections, which have been updated based on consultations with local economists, Hanson said.
In the updated five-year budget projection that Hanson showed the City Council Tuesday night, every possible reserve fund in the city’s budget was exhausted to keep Henderson in the black.
“There is no more question about how much more money we can put on the table to keep a positive ending fund balance,” Hanson said. “All the available money is now on the table.”
The Category 2 cuts, if implemented, would allow the city to hold on to some of its reserve funds, Hanson said.
The Category 3 cuts, if implemented, would include layoffs of city employees.
A $700,000 payout for a cop who is now accused of " a relationship" with his then 15 yr old sister in law might have kept some city services running. Clean up law enforcement and you might be able to provide something else in the city.
"If approved, the Category 2 cuts will save the city another $10 million to $12 million annually, and balance the budget based on current projections, which have been updated based on consultations with local economists, Hanson said."
THERE'S a concept - a balanced budget !!
What are you all missing that you keep using figures from last year-expecting things to improve? Take a look around, just cause government thinks it can raise taxes, doesnt mean people can afford them and if they arent buying anything, where do you think your tax receipts will come from?? Sure they are off - no one is working!! And you all are surprised when the numbers come in lower than what you thought. It's not rocket science!!
No where does it say that Henderson plans to raise taxes. And if you are a Henderson resident then you'll know that they haven't raised property taxes in like 12 or 15 years.
Let me see if I've got this right; Henderson approved a round of budget cuts, and now Henderson is slipping into a "category 2" cuts, paid out 700,000 to the woman's husband that was wrongfully shot by Morrison, and are spending 2.1 million to build a new library when the old one is still perfectly functional. City Hall already does not work on Friday's.
What's wrong with this picture?
Banish the Henderson Redevelopment Authority. It's sucking money at a time when we need to stop spending for stupid ideas like the Air and Space Museum. How's that 33 Mil doing at Lake Las Vegas? Start the layoffs. If Luke "the fluke" Morrison is making 64 Grand at age 24, while laying around the house, then we need to start laying off cops immediately. We taxpayers will take our chances without the oversized bunch of loafers at the HPD. Do it now!
Always good to see the same "oh so enlightened" cynics posting on every article even if they really don't read them or find out any facts beyond a simple story. I'm certain that they will vehemently protest otherwise, but it will be the same old stale air.
You said it rejco100. Our elected officials will continue to fund non-essential pet projects that make them look good and get them re-elected during this recession. It's a joke. We should not be building anything right now and focus our resources on essential services that our residents need. I for one am sick of hearing about City and County budget wows and then find out about a multimillion dollar project being built. Enough is enough.
Too bad they can't just raise the water and sewer rates like North Las Vegas Does when they need money.
Hey Annie -
The Library District is paying for the new library - not the City.
Hey bdover, I am with you on the over staffed gang of thugs we so lovingly call HPD..Why is it that these goons are driving vehicles that You and I can only dream of driving...New Yukons and Tahoes..I have even seen a few new Pick Ups.. What happened to the old stand by "Cruiser" ??
Why when they pull over a car does it take 3 or 4 patrol vehicles to do the job of 1, are they that incompetent ? I have seen 3 units called in to talk with kids skate boarding... Overkill or what..Kind of like the rest of the government, cut it in half and make the ramaining slugs work for their pay..I'm tired of it..
Hey Gman let me ask you a question. Have you or anyone else ever asked WHY the HPD drive Tahoe's? No, you just sit there and complain because it's easier. HPD officers have alot of equipment; much more than normally fits inside of the trunk of a cruiser. Even that however is NOT why they have Tahoes.
The reason they have Tahoe's is cost. Yes, COST. Chevrolet charges police departments the same for Tahoes as Ford does for their Interceptor (or as you call it, a cruiser). At the end of 5 years when the cruiser is retired and sold, the City will get about $1500. When the Tahoe is retired at 5 years the City sells it for over $6000.
Simple economics. Same price at beginning, more money at end. What would you pick?
3 officers on a stop? Why don't you go on a ride along and find out why instead of just guesss what they are doing based on your obvious talent of observation. Use those powers of observation during a ride along - it's free. Get some experience, then you can talk the talk and people might just listen.
Hey Bea*ker, you know you're full of sh*t. The cops have nothing to do during their shift, so they all pull up to a traffic stop so they can claim in their logs that they were "busy" helping another officers. Then they're off to the donut shop. Henderson is a very quiet town, with few problems, but we have the military industrial backers from Nellis in charge. GD disgrace.
Hey DogsWorld - I did not know that. Thanks for the info.
Hey Beaker let me ask you a question....If it is simple economics then why are the majority of other cities and states , all over the country still using " The Interceptor" Ha Ha Ha..I gues the brilliant minds that be in Henderson are so far advanced that everyone else is still catching up...What a crock... I guess that in this violent, crooked metropolis the Coppers have to carry so much more fire power that is why they have the bigger vehicles..Unlike the quiet cities like Detroit "interceptor", or New York City "interceptor"..Another crock... and as far as 3 officers at a stop...I'll tell you what that is all about, these clowns go looking for trouble or to make trouble...I have seen it first hand many times..What happened to Serve and Protect...It's all about threats and imtimidation now days..They want a fight, they look for a fight and they cause problems...In my humble opinion the people behind the badge are the biggest and most ruthless gang in America today and you nor I can do anything about it....Go ahead and cross them....Ice Cream anyone !!!
I've never really questioned Henderson's use of Tahoes or Yukons since I've seen people using dirtbikes, and buggies out past Equestrian. Not all of Henderson is made up of cookie cutter developments with paved roads.
I once saw 5 patrol vehicles parked at a bus stop along Boulder Hwy for what looked like one homeless guy sitting on the grass in handcuffs. I've seen 3 patrol vehicles sitting around one car with one occupant inside. Saying that, the rate of homeless (many who have mental issues), drunk drivers, and drug abuse in this area of Nevada probably warrents the extra attention.
I agree with Beaker, "3 officers on a stop? Why don't you go on a ride along and find out why instead of just guesss what they are doing based on your obvious talent of observation. Use those powers of observation during a ride along - it's free. Get some experience, then you can talk the talk and people might just listen."
I'm grateful Henderson has the law enforcement coverage they do. Maybe when people stop acting like laws are options the city can afford to cut that part of the budget!
Cuts to help pay consultant fees to the former mayor perhaps?
Gman,
Why do the police use new vehicles you can't afford? Every try to chase a speeding bad guy in a 10 year old Hyundai? As for HPD using a Tahoe, there are few other choices out there. Ford Crown Victorias have issues such as exploding gas tanks in rear impacts. An SUV offers improved vision, the officer can see above/around other vehicles a little easier. An SUV can go places where cars have trouble, like dirt lots & the desert. Maybe, just maybe, HPD looked at their needs and chose a multipurpose vehicle. But they could always go buy some of those cash for clunkers to save a few bucks. How would you like 911 to call you back and say no one is coming because the 91 Escort broke down again?
Why are there 2 or 3 cops on each call? Superior force. If it were one on one the criminal might consider a fight and then may end up shot. If they have to fight 2 or 3 cops they would think twice about it. More force can also help keep a situation under control. Crowds can quickly turn ugly and get out of control. Extra officers around can keep onlookers out of a crime scene and allow the primary officer to focus on the criminal. The list of reasons go on and on. Those officers just standing around are a good thing, that means the situation is under control and safe.
You could attend a "Citizen's Acadamy" or go on a ride along and LEARN something. Or just go on and make uninformed accusations.
Yeah, right. Why use three patrol cars to do the job of one? HPD can let go a third of their police force and just use two patrol cars to do the job of one, how about that?