North Las Vegas, police supervisors union reach tentative agreement

By Aida Ahmed

Published Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 | 5:49 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 | 9:08 p.m.

After a daylong meeting, North Las Vegas officials have reached a tentative agreement with the city's Police Supervisors Association, Clark County Courts spokeswoman Mary Ann Price said.

The terms of the agreement will be released when it is approved by both sides.

Earlier this week, District Judge Susan Scann ordered the two parties to participate in a mandatory settlement conference to agree on concessions that would prevent further city layoffs.

Without a deal, layoffs could force city recreation centers and pools to shut down. The city can't lay off police officers to save money because of a restraining order issued in June by District Judge Nancy Alff.

Police union President Leonard Cardinale said the 57-member Police Supervisors Association gave up a 4 percent cost-of-living increase in 2009 and saved the city $1.5 million in 2010 when it raised insurance co-pays. The union and city disagreement stems from the contract that was written when the union was still a part of the Police Officers Association.

Mayor Shari Buck said she believed the police unions would work with the city. But in the past several weeks, dozens of North Las Vegas residents have expressed concerns that cost-of-living concessions weren't enough and urged the City Council to keep recreation centers open. Separate talks with the Police Officers Association are ongoing.

The city is counting on agreement with the unions to close a $4.9 million budget shortfall.

The City Council is holding a special meeting at 4 p.m. Monday to discuss the budget.