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Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 | 5:42 p.m.
Sun Archives
The Las Vegas City Council approved Wednesday an 8 percent cut to the salaries and benefits of its so-called executive and appointive employees — those who are not represented by a union.
The cuts, which will take effect July 1, appear to hold an implicit message to the city's unions — take a similar cut or layoffs are on the way.
City Manager Betsy Fretwell told the council that she has asked all unions representing Las Vegas employees to consider an identical 8 percent cut. The request is an effort to "stave off massive layoffs," the city said in a news release.
The cuts to executive and appointive employees will save $3 million, according to the city.
Because of falling tax revenue, the city expects a shortfall of more than $400 million over the next five years.
Oscar Goodman
“These employees are trying to set an example for the entire city, and their efforts should be applauded,” Mayor Oscar Goodman said. “The bottom line is the only alternative to resolving this by agreement is by reducing our employee workforce and we certainly don’t want to do that and we’re doing everything in our power to secure the positions of those who have been so loyal to us over the years."
The cuts to salaries will be carried out through furloughs and wage roll-backs.
The employees will also forego the city’s match to their 401a employee retirement program, contribution to the Public Employees Retirement System and nine administrative and merit days off.
Las Vegas isn't alone in its struggles to balance its budget. With the recession holding down tax revenue, Nevada government officials are confronting grim options -- cut services or cut payroll. The Clark County Commission on Tuesday discussed possible pay cuts for some of its union employees.
Las Vegas has 115 executive employees, who oversee its 17 departments, and 83 appointive employees, who serve as professional and support staff.
so the $400,000.00 a year fire fighter must now get by on $368,000.00 Tough times.
such bull crap, heck we didn't get a choice when we got laid off. This is nothing
that's not too bad of a cut, especially since furloughs are days off without pay and you can enjoy the time off
Why wait until July 1? Why wait at all? You know you are in trouble, but let's delay so everyone can qualify for a new house/car? Just do it!
"doing everything in our power to secure the positions of those who have been so loyal to us"
I find this statement illustrative of the central problem facing many local governments. By "loyal to us" does the Mayor mean all of us? Or just those who have some percieved "power". Our founding fathers meant for us to have a government for the people and by the people. Is this the statement of a self percieved king who feels the city employees work for him and his cronies and not the people of Las Vegas. Has the notion of a humble hard working public servant been abrogated by the notion of "leadership" and a false sense of monarchy? "Executives" who are not "employees"??? One only needs to see the process of local agencies providing "leadership" via purchase order of leadership academies etc. all at taxpayer expense to see how far gone the notion of a public servant has become. I note that Websters online dictionary defines a Public Servant as: A government employee or official. As an American I would prefer to pay taxes not to support miniature fifedoms but to reward humble and hard working public servants.
Boy there some dorks blogging today. These are management cuts. Whether you believe it or not they probably work 50+ hours a week cleaning up after the us...the taxpayers. Coordinating the repair of roads, lights, sewer...infrastructure. I am not sticking up for them, but next time a turd comes up instead of goes down your toilet don't bitch...ya get what you pay for. I am glad they took they 8% cut. I would not want them laid off...don't want turds in my toilet bowl. Worse I don't want to have the stop light break and me end up in the trauma center on the east side of town because the real one is closed. By the way Oscar, are you going to run for governor or are you scared of the big issues? We'll see if you read the blogs. Doggone there's some knuckleheads on this blog today.
poor reality_check, are you getting an 8% reduction?
The article mentions there are 115 "executive employees" overseeing 17 departments. The ratio of 115/17 should, in my humble opinion, be 17/17 or one person overseeing one department. I do not believe that going to meetings and reading emails and reports constitutes work no matter how many hours per week are spent on it. Micromanagement is expensive, unnecessary, and serves only the ego of those who thrive on it. It provides no service to the public in any meaningful way. It will not exist in the future of government because, in a Darwinian sense, it provides no practical benefits...only detraments to the well being of society and those in the workforce. We do not need to pay for it any more.
Why are the citizens so eager to bring other citizens, both whom have the right to work in this country, down to their knees??? I think people like to see people fail in this country! This isn't about combating terrorism, it's about people supporting their families!
Lets just hope Goodman means July of this year.
Maybe the mayor & council should take reductions in pay since they've voted themselves substantial pay raises over the last few years & maybe think about goin back to a part-time basis & even possibly reducing the council back to just 4 seats instead of the six they have now. Tax revenues have taken a dump after all & there r fewer residents per ward nowadays! Let's start there!!