Sisolak hopes to end longevity gold mine for justices of the peace

Local elected leaders continue to look at ways to save taxpayers money by eliminating some public employee perks in these tough economic times.

County Commissioner Steve Sisolak has an idea that’s already attracting attention at courthouses in the valley and elsewhere in public employee circles.

Sisolak wants to eliminate longevity pay for new justices of the peace and constables who will be sworn into office in January.

He has put items on Tuesday’s County Commission agenda asking his colleagues to support him in this endeavor, which he hopes will be the start of a new long-term cost-cutting trend.

"My feeling is that we can’t continue the longevity system the way it exists," Sisolak says. "It’s simply unaffordable."

According to county budget figures crunched for Sisolak, the 28 justices of the peace in the Las Vegas valley together account for more than $374,411 a year in longevity pay.

After five years on the bench, a justice of the peace is eligible to receive an additional 10 percent of his base salary, Sisolak says. That increases 2 percent a year, up to 20 percent after 10 years.

Collecting 20 percent in longevity pay is a lucrative perk, indeed, adding up to more than $30,000 a year for those lucky enough to be re-elected. Las Vegas justices of the peace have a base salary of $154,039.

Four long-time Las Vegas justices of the peace, Deborah Lippis, Tony Abbatangelo, Bill Jansen and Nancy Oesterle, are at the top of the longevity list, all receiving an extra $30,808 a year in taxpayer dollars.

Sisolak’s proposal won’t take that money away, but it will prevent future justices of the peace from cashing in on the longevity gold mine.