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By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
, Joe Schoenmann (contact)
Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 | 2 a.m.
It has been apparent for some time that the state would look to cities and counties to help bridge its multibillion-dollar budget gap.
Even before Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval won the election, budget staff had begun gathering data on cities and counties’ tax revenue. And Sandoval, who won promising to balance the budget without raising taxes, has since said he will look to local government for tax revenue.
The administration has not publicly detailed how it will go about taking the money, but sources have told the Sun the outlines are taking shape.
Specifically, sources say:
• Sandoval is considering taking a chunk — 5 cents per $100 of assessed value — of county property tax revenue. That would translate into about $70 million-$80 million less for Clark County and that much more for the state and come on top of the 4 cents the state took two years ago, costing the county $60 million.
• The governor-elect’s staff has informed county staff that it wants district courts in Washoe and Clark counties to assume most of the $11 million cost of pre-sentence investigations now done by the state Division of Parole and Probation. Clark County already handles all juvenile probation cases.
• Sandoval wants to give Clark County responsibility for “back-end” support of child welfare — foster care, counseling and institutions to house children — which the state would hand off with some funding to pay for it. The state spends
$91.5 million on back-end child welfare services. The county, at its expense, handles case investigations by Family Services and Metro Police intervention.
• The governor-elect might also take a bigger share of federal funding that pays medical expenses for the poor. Clark County contributes millions of dollars — $65 million in 2009 to the state’s Disproportionate Share Hospital fund — which the state uses to attract increased federal funding in the form of matching dollars. In return, University Medical Center two years ago got about $80 million. But the state also keeps millions for itself. In 2008, the state kept $19 million of about $107 million, or about 18 percent. Sources say the state wants to increase that share.
Sandoval’s senior adviser, Dale Erquiaga, acknowledged that Sandoval is carefully considering “all of the data,” while building a budget that does not include a tax increase. Erquiaga, however, said the Sandoval administration’s strategy likely won’t mimic the tactics of past administrations and legislatures, which looked simply to standing pots of money for a short-term fix for the state’s lack of revenue.
“We’re trying to end the process of ‘here’s a bunch of money and we’ll just take it,’” Erquiaga said. “We’re trying to look at the system as a whole, where
$20 billion in revenue is spent. We have a tendency to look only at the state general fund and see a shortfall. The governor-elect is looking at really the whole picture (of state and local governments). We have that much money to spend and, as a people, where should we spend it?”
Sandoval must prepare a budget by Jan. 24, when he will deliver his State of the State address and unveil his spending plan. The Legislature will spend the next four months debating, amending and voting on the budget.
John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas and the incoming Assembly speaker, said he had not seen or heard the governor’s budget proposals. But, he added, the upcoming legislative session will involve considering budget cuts and moving services between local and state governments.
At least in Northern Nevada, some governments are trying to obligate any money they had been saving for capital projects out of fear that the state may empty their accounts.
Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said last month that the Reno City Council has ordered the city’s road funds to be obligated quickly and he has advised the Truckee River Flood Project managers to do the same. Cashell is assuming the state will go after city dollars, as well as county dollars.
During the previous legislative session, only counties were targeted, a strategic move by lawmakers to limit opposition to their targeting of local dollars. By Clark County’s estimate, state lawmakers in 2009 cost it about $180 million over the next two budget years.
There appears to be no moves to tie up Clark County dollars before the state swoops in to take a cut.
Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said it is assumed the state will try to take some money. Unlike two years ago, however, he wants it to be fair — all Nevada governments, not just Washoe and Clark counties, should shoulder some of the burden.
“Henderson just opened a new aquatic center (this year) and we can’t even fix the pool at Sunset Park,” he said. The state “seems to ignore some of these cities have more money than the counties do. I understand we have to take a hit, but it can’t just be the two counties.”
At the same time, Sisolak said Clark County isn’t doing itself any favors by approving contracts with employees that include salary increases amid the state’s worst recession. He and his fellow commissioners are set to vote today on contracts with the public employee unions of the Las Vegas Valley Water District that would tie future raises to increases in the consumer price index. “I think it makes (legislators) think we have more money than we do,” he said.
Outgoing Commission Chairman Rory Reid, who ran unsuccessfully against Sandoval, said that “if the state is looking at the counties as if they are flush and can solve every problem, that perception is simply inaccurate.”
Reid said he tried to collaborate with the state, “but if the state continues to look at local government as nothing more than an account to access when they have problems, that’s going to make collaboration even less likely.”
Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, who served 16 years in the Legislature before being elected to the commission, said Carson City is so far from Las Vegas that representatives forget where they came from and who got them there. It’s up to voters to remind them, she said, “to get into it. If you have a relationship with your legislator, you can tell them what their cuts will do. That’s part of a constituent’s responsibility.”
She was more circumspect on the governor’s budget. The budget is a starting point and it rarely looks the same at the finish, she said.
Sandoval “has got to do what he has to get the ball rolling, it’s a place to start,” she said. “But this isn’t the time to rob Peter to pay Paul. This is a time to collaborate and look at efficiencies, redundancies, shared staffing and consolidations where appropriate.”
We're counting on the Great Triumvirate, the Immortal Trio of Sandoval, Heck and Heller to show Nevada how their "Conservative" Government philosophies create jobs, reduce the deficit, reduce taxes and improve education.
Maybe they can get Sarah Palin to fly in and make a speech for under $100,000 to provide charisma instead of reality.
Sneaky Sandoval has always been a double talker on taxes.
He has caused unemployment to rise because their is no tax "predictability" (remember that one?)
Another "brillant" politician. He's not solving the problem by taking money from counties and cities, he is just masking the problem! We need a person, man or woman in the Govenor's Office who is a regular person, on a regular income, with some common sense and a good heart to solve these problems, not pawn them off to others. If this means raising taxes some, then do it. If this means creating a state lottery to soley fund education, then do it. If this means auditing every department in the state, then do it! Why do we elect people like Sandoval or any politician for that matter...they have millions. Do you think he cares about you and your family? I don't think so!
Sisolak is pretty funny. He cries like a little girl about Hendeson opening a pool, yet about the same time the County opened up the world's biggest gun range.
So instead of raising revenue, he's going to raid the revenues. This is Peter stealing from Paul.
Ah, now I see how Sandoval is going to pay the bodyguard for his family. *Enter Whitney Huston's - "I will Always Love You"* LOL
Then Paul steals from Mary, Joe, Bill and Charlie. Good Honk.
Wealth Redistribution?
So of course since the GOP blinded folks in the south voted in a northerner, the south, US, will be robbed by this goon Sand Oval to carry the rest of the state. When will these TeaBagger and GOP in Clark County learn NOT to put a notherner into the Governors mansion?? It will always cost us in Las Vegas.
Let's say we take the Sandoval approach and rob Peter of every cent so that we can pay Paul. We owe Paul somewhere between 2 and 3 Billion. Peter has $200 million. Has Sandoval a plan for getting the other $1.8 to 2.8 Billion before Paul comes and cuts us off at the knees?
" Sandoval wants to give Clark County responsibility for "back-end" support of child welfare -- foster care, counseling and institutions to house children -- which the state would hand off with some funding to pay for it. The state spends $91.5 million on back-end child welfare services."
If there was ever an area of "services" most ripe for the budget ax, the family gestapo is it. I recall a case where children were removed from a mother mainly because she lacked a visible means of support. This in a country where one of the greatest forgotten promises is to leave the People alone!
Distribution of public funds is up to the legislature. Many services should be cut without any regard to the state workers who will lose their jobs -- they're not entitled to them any more than the rest of are.
It all boils down to government needs to get smaller so We the People can thrive.
"I heartily accept the motto, 'That government is best which governs least'; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically." -- Henry David Thoreau 1849 "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience"
Gibbons was incompetent, but Sandoval is scary and a liar. Education in Nevada will get worse if that is possible along with everything else. The writing was on the wall when he picked Jannison for his education wizzard.
"I heartily accept the motto, 'That government is best which governs least'; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically." -- Henry David Thoreau 1849 "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience"
This is why the State should stay away from the county and city coffers, because he will get his hands on it forcing the county and city to raise taxes thus he looks as if he didn't raise taxes.
We can balance the budget by cutting off Jim Gibbons from all his government benefits. Remember he is against government provided medical.
Gibbons was working a side job breaking a horse at a ranch owned by a contributor/lobbyist. The horse goes to private ownership from BLM ownership after a year. This is a worker's compensation claim, not something taxpayer provided insurance should cover.
I told you guys that voting for a northern Nevadan was a bad idea. They don't have the same problems we have in So. Nevada. Now the new Gov. is going to take our revenue and give it to Washoe and Nye.
Nice going voters.
"Clark County isn't doing itself any favors by approving contracts with employees that include salary increases amid the state's worst recession." Says it all. There should be NO increases for the next three years, maybe longer.
Good thing we have billion dollar wars and bailouts of foreign banks by the American taxpayer while we have all these problems. Way to go guys! Great job everyone...rah, rah America.
This people got what they voted for. Elections have consequences. Just voting without checking this mans past how he thinks. Just remember that Nevada has the lowest gaming tax (6%) in the WORLD. Have not seen the other casino's around country go broke only Las Vegas funny including Indian Casnio's. What do you think a 2% gaming tax increase would do. Nothing but listen to the repub say O THEY ARE GOING TO GO BROKE WE NEED JOBS NOT TAX INCREASES. Gee New Jersey has 12% and they have jobs. Live with it, I had to live with Gibbons and now another one.
There are many folk tales that basically say that you can dress up a snake as a pretty boy like Sandoval but he is still a snake and really not interested in the welfare of the state!
This will get even better.
In time he will transfer some services that the state currently provides over to the counties and cities but he won't move any funds to cover those services.
This is how you balance a budget without raising state taxes. Provide less and take funds from others.
Now you know why he would not provide a budget plan before being elected.
BIASED ARTICLE. Seems the reporter thinks the money belongs local. It IS TAX REVENUE for the good of the CITIZENS of the State of Nevada. Deport the anchor babies and STOP MAKING ILLEGAL MOTHERS CITIZENS BY CLAIMING RELATION TO CITIZEN RESIDING IN U.S. Then cut off social welfare programs for mothers AND children. UNTIL WE DO, MEXICO will continue to EXPORT THEIR PROBLEMS. How can Vegas and Clark County afford employee salaries that are 60% HIGHER than state salaries?
State workers in Clark county are in for a change. If the state lays them off some may recieve up to 99 weeks of unemployment provided by Federal money. Our state government can be smaller perhaps much smaller forever. What can a few, as the public says uneducated unskilled state employees do to stop it? It seems the taxpayer does not see value in state workers either does the politician. Why stop the planning, it could work out for the southern workers. Perhaps some may get interviews with the County for their old jobs? Those that get hired will get collective bargaining, local government representation,the tax base and a future.
God, I hope they don't stop the Air and Space Museum from being built in Henderson. Think of all the jobs it will create, from plan checkers and building inspectors to full time employees - all with nice benefits and perks. After the great job Henderson did with Downtown Tijuana and the Lake Las Vegas follies, you don't think they can screw this one up too? I imagine there will be a line every morning waiting to get into the museum.
Did I tell you I can fly by flapping my ears?
Bend over even more sheeple. Get hold of them ankles. Ain't no vasoline on the horizon for you.
Maybe all of the dumb people will leave your state and then people like Sandieval won't stand a chance in hell of getting elected no matter how much $ they have or who there friends are Vasieliodies, Whoresford etc..
It has long been the habit of governments to spend more than they can steal from others.
BTW: 60-minutes aired an episode last evening entitled "The Day of Reckoning" which depicts the up-coming financial disaster looming for State and local governments - predicted to take place within the next 12-months - the episode may be viewed at the link provided below.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7......
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Clark County ought to tell Sandy to get STUFFED.
Carson City & the northern counties should raise there OWN TAXES!
Brian Sandoval...
Of the Rich, For the Rich, By the Rich.
Which means 99% of us will suffer under the Sandoval Administration.
Can you say FIGUREHEAD???
Sure. I knew you could.
The real issue here is whether ordinary people, or businesses, are going to pay for what's needed in the state. Robbing the city and county coffers isn't about which governmental unit hurts most, its about where those governmental units get THEIR money.
City and County money comes from sales taxes (which disproportionately affect lower income households) and property taxes (the middle class). The state has the ability to tax corporations - like WalMart, or mining, or the developers - but Sandoval doesn't want these folks - who made their millions in this state - to pay for educating its citizens. And the legislature doesn't have the guts to make them.
So, if the city and county are picking up state bills, it means more taxes for the little people. Sandoval could make the big guys pay, but he won't. Will Americans ever rise up in protest? Maybe its time for free thinking Nevadans to show the rest of the US how this is done.
mred said "Gibbons was working a side job breaking a horse at a ranch owned by a contributor/lobbyist. "
Do you really believe some of the nonsense you post here or are you just lacking for attention?
Where are all the folks from Clark County that voted for this guy? Did you not know that just like Jim Gibber, he is a northern guy who will raid the southern coffers to pay the bills for the folks up north.
This is a bad idea. Sandoval should not have run on a "no new taxes" platform. It wasn't necessary to beat Rory Reed. Counties are already struggling with shortages of their own. Property tax revenue is down, schools are under funded.
Sandoval needs to get with the legislature in January and consider other means to raise money for a bare bones budget, including potentially new taxes for essentials, not to be including salary enhancements.
I don't know what you guys are whinning about.
Sandavol can't do anything unless the Assembly and the state Senate gives its blessing by voting to approve it.
Both are in the control of Democrats.
So if the Democrats vote to do this are you then going to whine about them too?
I wait for hell to freeze over first.