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By Dave Toplikar (contact) 
Published Tuesday, May 18, 2010 | 4:37 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, May 18, 2010 | 9:25 p.m.
Sun Coverage
- Las Vegas City Council to deal with $80 million in cuts Tuesday (5-17-2010)
- Largest Las Vegas city employees union returns to table (5-14-2010)
- Mayor: 60 more to lose jobs, firefighters won’t be cut (5-13-2010)
- Mayor: Firefighters, city staff reach ‘agreement in principle’ (5-6-2010)
- Analyst: Don’t cut Las Vegas city jobs (5-5-2010)
- Mayor: City job losses could double earlier estimates (4-22-2010)
- Mayor: More mergers needed between Las Vegas, Clark County (4-29-2010)
- Mayor: City to move forward on employee job cuts (4-21-2010)
- Mayor: Time short for 141 Las Vegas city jobs to be saved (4-15-2010)
- Mayor: Some Las Vegas city jobs might have to be privatized (4-7-2010)
After an emotional public hearing that lasted nearly two hours, the Las Vegas City Council on Tuesday approved a final budget for next year that cuts the jobs of 200 city employees.
The council, faced with a deficit than had grown from $70 million to $80 million since it approved a tentative budget in March, lopped another 60 jobs to help make up the shortfall.
However, after the 7-0 vote, Mayor Oscar Goodman sent another message to the city's four unions saying they could still offer concessions to help save jobs.
"Our door isn't closed," Goodman said just before adjourning the meeting.
Goodman and the council have asked the four unions for several months to agree to reopen their contracts and give up any automatic pay increases this year in cost of living, merit pay, longevity pay or step increases, plus take an 8 percent cut in salaries and benefits.
The unions have come to the table with various offers, but none have been willing to give the city the amount of concessions it needs.
As he was leaving the City Council chambers at city hall after the meeting, Goodman told reporters that the unions could still make concessions.
"Their fate is in their own hands, basically," he said. "They have to come with a financial offer to us that makes sense, where we can have a balanced budget and survive next year as well as this year. It's that simple."
Goodman said the city council could still go back in and amend its budget for the 2011 fiscal year, which starts on July 1.
"We could amend it if they come to us with the 8 percent we asked for," Goodman said. "I'll tell you this: If I had it in my pocket, I would have given it."
Some of the cuts made today will reduce the amount of city marshals available to patrol city parks and trails by a dozen in January. And the cuts will also reduce by three units a day the number of fire units available to answer calls.
The council decided not to cut one of the city jail units, as was earlier recommended, which would have reduced the number of beds available from 1,050 to 800.
"Everything that we heard today indicates that public safety is not going to be affected," Goodman said. "The fire chief said it's not going to be affected. The chief of the marshals said it's not going to be affected and the sheriff said it's not going to be affected."
Goodman didn't want to respond to comments made by the union representatives, who said more crimes will be committed at city parks because marshals won't be there and that "browning out" three fire units a day will have an impact on response times.
"I'm not getting into name-calling," Goodman said. "I hear enough of that stuff. My position is we can save these jobs. We can save these services. But we don't print money like the federal government. The one thing that I'm happy about and proud of my council for, is at least they made a decision today. They didn't duck it."
A "new city"
At the beginning of the hearing, Goodman said he was hopeful that the action the council was about to take "would be a wakeup call" and that the city employees would decide they don't want to see their co-workers lose their jobs.
"As a result of what is going to take place today, we're going to have a new city," Goodman said. "And it's not going to be as good as the old city.
"We're going to have a new city that won't be able to provide the services that our constituents have come to enjoy. They won't be able to have the kinds of comforts the city has been able to provide in the past," Goodman said. "But once again, we don't have a choice because we have to balance the budget."
'Traumatic and serious'
City Manager Betsy Fretwell told the council that a year ago, she thought the deficit was going to be $31 million for the Fiscal Year 2011. But then, over the course of the year, the city lost another $21 million in revenue, bring the deficit to $52 million.
"Our five-year shortfall more than doubled in a span of about six months, all because our revenues continued to significantly underperform," she said.
Fretwell said the cuts in the FY 2011 budget will have "tragic consequences. We will be saying goodbye to over 200 of our valued employees."
"This is traumatic and it's serious," she said.
The $477 million general fund budget is balanced, draws down the city's reserves but has "significant community and organizational impacts," she said.
She said that the earlier budget that was approved March 10 had a total reduction of 190 positions, which included not filling public safety job vacancies and reductions in city marshals and corrections officers.
The also reduced neighborhood services, closed eight community schools, and preserved "Safekey" and summer camps by adding fees. They also merged two cultural divisions and are implementing a partial closure of the Reed Whipple Cultural Center.
They also have reductions in the building and safety department, she said.
She said among the four labor groups, the City Employees Association, the largest group; the Police Officers Association, the Police Protection Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters, two have presented proposals and three have been in active discussions with the city.
"The fruits of those efforts haven't borne out completely yet," she said.
She said the budget didn't assume any concession, with the exception of the firefighters, which are in active negotiations with the city.
"There will still be opportunity for continued dialogue," she said. "We're going to need it. Looking at Fiscal Year '12 we still have a $47 million shortfall. So think about how hard this year has been. Next year's a repeat."
Some departments hit harder
Mark Vincent, the city's chief financial officer, said that in November, the city's fiscal oversight committee has realized that the deficit had ballooned to $60 million. The discussions began about making half of those cuts in programs and half in reserves.
The fiscal oversight committee met again in May and revised its budget forecast, finding the deficit would be $6.1 million more in the current 2010 budget year and $15.2 million in the 2011 fiscal year, or $21.3 million, Vincent said.
He said the cuts added Tuesday would make budget cuts of 17.3 percent for percent for all departments, but some departments would get hit harder. For example, there was a 37.7 percent cut in the Planning Department, a 36.7 percent cut in Information Technology and a 36.2 percent cut in Human Resources.
Vincent said public safety is a high priority, but it hasn't been exempt from cuts. Public safety budget items were cut 8.9 percent, general government was cut 29.5 percent cultural and recreation was cut 29.2 percent, judicial was cut 22.6 percent, public works 27.3 percent and economic assistance 33.7 percent.
It is time for the unions to get a reality check.
For the people in the private sector lucky enough to have steady jobs, there is no such things as gauanteed raises, longevity pay, etc. I personally have taken a paycut as did everyone in my company to preserve the jobs of others. The unions should be willing to do the same if they care about their "union brothers"
The city complains of no money and has to cut jobs that are needed. It will affect safety.But as for money,here is an idea that maybe the city should think of.When you register your car,if it was brought from outside Nevada,you should pay an extra one time fee of $300. $100 for schools,$100 for roads,$100 for city coffers.With as many new registrations in a month,they would have the funds needed for the shortfall.Other states already charge extra for out of state vehicles.Common sense city council,don't think like a politician, but more like a businessman...
180k for a grunt--let the contracts expire and put ads for new people at 75% less pay--i guarantee the line will be a mile long of people looking for work! we've all suffered big time this last couple years while they continue to get pay raises--and we are paying the bills--enough is enough.
While nodding off through watching this on t.v. there were some pretty interesting things said/done at the end:
1. The city is paying for a new city hall and the mob museum with taxpayer money, while they plead poor and send people into unemployment, increasing foreclosure rates for sure
2. Tarkanian had to hear the same thing 4 times, of each item (practically)
3. The city changed their proposal...overnight?
4. The fire department stated that the amount they had offered up in concessions was greater than the amount the city used to "brownout" the units. And they were still willing to offer up that money along with the brownouts.
5. An allegation was made that the city hid $53 million dollars, and when it was found out previously they agreed to use that money towards the deficit and they didn't. Interestingly, the city made no comment about that matter.
6. The mayor ended the conference abruptly while there were still citizens that wanted to speak. The council balked, but the mayor said "No, it's over". This happened an hour before it was scheduled to end. Guess he needed that gin martini really bad.
7. A quick history lesson was given by a college professor on the countless errors the city has done to waste money, including things this decade that possibly could have avoided this deficit.
8. After the mayor stormed off, the spineless council members did what they always do...whatever the mayor wants.
Everyone always blogs on how our federal government is deceitful, the unions are terrible, and the public employees are leaches. After seeing today, maybe the unions are on to something?
The Mayor pulled the plug on the meeting because the fire department union president was in line to speak again. Obviously, there is no love lost there. I agree that some interesting facts were presented during the meeting. Hidden money? Budgets changing overnight? When will someone shine the light on the City Council circus?
I would remind everyone to remember where Uncle Oscar came from. If you think he is true blue, I have some fine land in Louisiana to sell you. Where else can you have a state park named after a convicted felon and a mob associate as the Mayor? That's right......right here in Vegas. But the public safety professionals are the liars and cheats, right?
Step one..FREEZE all positions IMMEDIATELY!! without notice.This will cut out fire/police throwing their people into higher paying (and unnecessary)positions.FREEZE ALL pay raises,perks,bonus' whatever.Freeze all hiring.Positions not already doubled up on,put under review.Doing more than one job is called multi-tasking and everyone in the world is doing it and in some cases actually doing 3 jobs.The bottom line here is people need to stop thinking they are NOT REPLACEABLE...'cause they are and it can be done in a heart beat.
You are my hero Oscar! Don't be intimadated by the union thugs and go on balancing the budget for all of us.
Thank you 1-true-taxpayer!
Yes, so much is misrepresented! The amount of money wasted is unbelievable! Especially in hiring consultants. In which now they have to do again so they can run "The New City Hall" with a smaller workforce because now they do not know where to begin. And they are managers making over $200K! Something wrong with that picture!
mrlucky - the people that make the $180 are not union workers (except fireman). At city hall it is mangement that makes that amount of money. and I know for a fact that they did not take a direct 8% paycut! Yes, they gave up paid days off and raises and some retirement matches. The Union offered much more and was immediately turned down! No Discussion either. What the Mayor proposes or lose your job. But, even if his proposal was accepted, people were still going to be layed off. It is a no win situation.
And yes some union members are greedy people, but most of us are realistic and extremely greatful for our jobs. The so called lazy government worker is a thing of the past for most, at least in the departments I come in contact with, but i can't speak for all. If you knew all the facts, most of you would change your opinion.
I did a bit of research, and there is no firefighter for the city that makes 180k for a base pay, not even close. In fact, other than the fire chief, i didn't see a firefighter in the top 100 of base pay. There were some that made around there on overtime, but based on their base pay they had to work a ton. The city management works a 40 hour week. Firefighters work 56. So with that overtime, and I'm guesstimating, they would have to work like 90 hours a week to make what the management made. That's crazy hours, and they can keep that money. I'll enjoy my night with my family, and my days off too!
I didn't see the union president of the firefighters in line to speak again, but if he was and that's why the mayor called the meeting over, that is alarming. I think he was the one pointing out the 50 million. I guess the mayor didn't want anything other shadiness pointed out. It's looking like a guilty verdict for the city based on the mayor running away.
Greedy Union people, more of your kind will go down if you refuse to cooperate with a pay cut. People in the private sector have gotten pay cuts because of the current economic situation. I've lost my job and now currently working doing the same for nearly 50% in pay cut.
Bravo Mayor Goodman, fire as many as you can to balance the budget and while you're at it don't forget to take a pay cut as well. We are watching you and everyone else.
"I'll tell you this: If I had it in my pocket, I would have given it." But Oscar, you do have it. It's the $300 million city hall that we don't need. Unfortunately, when it comes to concessions, your ego trumps people's livelihoods.
We'll have to see if public safety is affected when the cuts go into effect. I say it will.
How much is the new consultant going to be paid? Aren't they usually pricey? You know the one the city is hiring to take the place of the vast amount of people they are wanting to lay off?
People continue to miss the problem. First, the union contracts never expire. They simply roll-over on a year-to-year basis if not re-negotiated. Second, you simply can't fire all the union workers and replace them. State law NRS-288 REQUIRES collective bargaining be recognized for local government employees (but exempts the State from that burden). So even if you fire them all, the new employees would immediately vote for a new union. (And think what would happen if Card-check is passed.)
Nothing can be done about the unions until they rewrite NRS-288. Read it for yourselves, it's easy to find the official site with a Google search.
I am one of the 205 people laid off. Now before you all go and say Ah....poor thing, welcome to the real world, I understand your frustration. Believe me, I am frustrated beyond belief. If one firefighter was let go, it would have paid my salary for 4 years! That's mind boggling. I have begged our union to give concessions to no avail. I was fighting a losing battle. If the unions don't get their heads out of the sand, believe me, this is only the beginning. The sad part is that all that will be left is upper management as no managers, supervisors were let go. They will have no one left to supervise once this is over. And you are right, how can the budget change and monies can be found all of a sudden. I will see you all in the unemployment line!
I think for the most part the fire depts are full of hero's. But if they're making/raping the city/county for SO MUCH overtime that they make make more than most doctors and lawyers, there is something wrong with that picture.
hmm....
subtract one unneeded and high budget new city hall building
add 200 jobs...
seems simple to me. cancel the building
or
add one building
subtract 200 jobs
replace the mayor.
Las Vegas Sun
Please show and explain the $80 million dollar deficit number for 2011. Nothing I saw yesterday on TV showed that. If it came out of the Mayor's mouth, then you had better do some serious research. And the Mayor said. And the Mayor said.
Less Marshals no problem. Less firefighters on duty, no impact?
LV Sun you owe the taxpayers better reporting than to just listen to him and the numbers guy that is never right.
Once again, more gin please.
me3, HI!! I was a supervisor laid off too!! Let's do lunch!! It might have to be at McDonald's and the dollar menu but it's lunch!!!
me3, you can thank your union contracts for only supervisors being left.
Actually, a majority of the supervisors were cut.