County, North Las Vegas close to deal on Sloan Channel algae, bug problem

By Joe Schoenmann

Sunday, April 8, 2012 | 2 a.m.

The Sloan Channel’s stench, algae and bug problem might be closer to a resolution.

What’s the problem again?

Last year, North Las Vegas completed its very own wastewater treatment plant, but the cash-strapped municipality didn’t receive anticipated funding for a pipeline to deliver its treated water to Lake Mead.

So, without first getting permission, it began discharging treated water into the Sloan Channel, which is the property of Clark County.

Immediately, residents near the channel, which is in the northeast valley, noticed a change. The warm water coming out of the plant and into the channel was the ideal environment for algae and egg-laying insects. Algae decays and smells bad; the bugs make it uncomfortable for those around the channel to be outdoors. Legal action between Clark County and North Las Vegas ensued.

Now the two sides, according to County Commissioner Tom Collins, are close to an agreement.

Didn’t North Las Vegas offer money that the county rejected?

The city wanted to give the county $50,000 a year to maintain the channel, using rotating brushes affixed to vehicles.

Why didn’t the county take the deal?

The county wanted assurances that North Las Vegas wouldn’t try to steal its $1 million water treatment contract with Nellis Air Force Base. Now the city will accept the Nellis condition while working out some annexation issues with the county. In turn, the city will keep pouring water down the channel.

And the smell and bugs?

Collins said it’s going to be expensive to clear the air of stench and bugs, adding that an increase in channel maintenance begun last year hasn’t seemed to help.

When all is said and done, Collins estimates the costs for North Las Vegas will “be about as expensive as it would have been if they had built that pipeline.”

•••

Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani referred Tuesday to the recent decision by state lawmakers to let residents of unincorporated Laughlin vote to decide if they want to incorporate as “the Laughlin travesty.”

Why is that a travesty?

The issue, said Commissioner Steve Sisolak, whose district includes that area at the southern tip of Clark County, is whether Laughlin can afford to become its own city. With that ownership, the city needs fire service, a police force and a host of other public services.

State law allows incorporation as long as it is fiscally feasible. But studies have shown the new city would fall between $2 million and $4 million short. Those favoring incorporation believe they will be able to cut expenses by employing firefighters and other public employees at much lower costs than current county rates.

What happens if they can’t do that?

That’s where the feared travesty lies. The county believes it would have to bear the cost to fix things.

•••

Over several years, a property tax to fund capital and operational expenses of the Fire Department has grown. Its current balance is about $70 million. Now, county budget gurus want to take about $15 million of that fund, reflecting interest earned, and put it in the Clark County general fund to pay operational expenses for the Fire Department.

What’s wrong with that?

Maybe nothing. But Sisolak said the $70 million grew from property tax devoted to capital expenses — fire trucks and fire stations. So, he wondered out loud Tuesday, shouldn’t the interest on that fund also be devoted to capital expenses?

Did someone have an answer?

Not really. This was during a preliminary budget discussion at the commission meeting. But Sisolak said afterward that if the county can use that interest “any way it wants to,” then Metro Police might be able to use the interest on its $100 million More Cops fund for some of its general budget needs.

Metro is asking for a 2.87 percent budget increase, and that could help them out without Clark County and Las Vegas getting hit for additional funding.

Sisolak asked county lawyers to look into it and come back with an answer.