Mayor says solar projects having positive impact in Boulder City

Leila Navidi / Las Vegas Sun

Mayor Roger Tobler delivers the annual State of the City Address in the pavilion at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City Thursday, January 28, 2010.

By Tiffany Gibson

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 | 9:46 p.m.

Boulder City's 2010 State of the City

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Boulder City hasn’t been immune to the financial issues facing Southern Nevada, but Mayor Roger Tobler said during his State of the City Address on Thursday that the city’s focus on solar energy projects is expected to have a positive effect financially in 2010.

With revenues from consolidated and property taxes, royalties and fees declining, Tobler said, the only revenue source for the city that hasn’t been affected by the economy is solar energy leases.

“While other municipalities in the Southwest talk about alternative energy and debate its merits or feasibility, Boulder City has quietly moved forward to make it happen,” Tobler said. “The leases and revenues from this portion of our city have a tremendous positive impact on our budget.”

Focusing on the city’s alternative energy projects in the Eldorado Valley was a big part of the mayor’s address, but Tobler also touched on 2010 debt problems and construction changes.

Tobler began his address by recognizing City Council members and representatives for Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. John Ensign and Rep. Dina Titus. Tobler also recognized state Assemblyman Joe Hardy and former Mayor Bob Ferraro.

“It is my honor and privilege to stand before you tonight to present to you the state of our great city,” Tobler said. “It is my hope that in the next few minutes, I will be able to share with you my vision for Boulder City.”

Residents concerned with the city’s financial state gathered in the Boulder Creek Golf Course Pavilion about 6 p.m. Thursday and listened carefully to the mayor’s vision for the future.

Some also found themselves laughing throughout the presentation at humorous photos. Tobler showed a picture of a small motorcycle trying to jump over five cars and crashing in the middle.

He said the picture described 2009, because everyone was wondering whether or not the city would make it.

He said the city’s problems weren’t as severe as those faced by Las Vegas and Henderson, but the city’s issues should be dealt with intelligently.

One of the issues the city is facing is whether to close the Boulder Creek Golf Course.

“Boulder Creek Golf course should remain open but, obviously, not at all costs,” Tobler said.

He said the city has been trimming expenses but the golf course still isn’t profitable enough.

The city staff, however, has been successful at cutting expenses in other areas.

Last year, the city reduced expenses by $1.3 million, and in 2010 an additional $1.15 million has been cut from the operating budget, he said.

Another obstacle he hopes to tackle this year is alleviating the city from some of its debt. He said the sale of property will help retire some of the debt and maintain a vibrant community.

At the Jan. 26 Boulder City Council meeting, Tobler said, council members approved two ballot questions for the 2010 general election for residents to vote on whether to sell residential and commercial property between the Boulder Creek Golf Course and the airport.

Tobler said the land sales would help pay off some of the city’s debt. He said 10 percent of the proceeds would be used for safety capital needs and the remainder would go toward paying general revenue bonds on the golf course.

Any remaining proceeds will go to pay other capital debt obligations of the city, he said.

Tobler noted the scheduled opening later this year of the Mike O’Callaghan—Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Displaying a picture of a traffic-jammed, six-lane highway, Tobler said he hopes the bridge doesn’t bring more challenges than benefits.

“No one knows for certain exactly what impacts this will have on our community,” he said. “For this reason, all the officers assigned to the Traffic Safety Bureau have been trained and certified in truck inspections so they are prepared for the increase in truck traffic we will experience.”

Following Tobler’s address, some residents said they felt relieved by the mayor’s report. Others said they were apprehensive about the city’s future.

Sara Denton, 85, said she’s lived in Boulder City since 1959 and is worried that the new bridge will bring unwanted traffic.

“We need a bypass road to accommodate the bridge,” Denton said. “I’m afraid the traffic will have a huge impact on our way of life.”

Tobler said that although times are difficult, “my hope and vision for our great city is to extend well beyond the current struggles. I know the men and women who serve in our city share that vision.”