City Council revises North Las Vegas’ core values
North Las Vegas city workers don't know the city's seven core values.
So City Council voted Wednesday night to reduce the city's core values down to three: accountability, communication and teamwork. The goal being that three values — with the acronym ACT — will be easier for employees to remember. The idea came from an 11-person staff committee tasked with boosting morale and redefining the city's workplace culture. The group found in a survey of more than 600 employees, 32 percent said they didn't know all seven core values. The city is trying to change its image from one of a town on the brink of financial ruin after years of looming state takeovers and layoffs.
City Manager Qiong Liu notified employees of the potential change in May, at which point some workers expressed dismay at the loss of "integrity" and "respect."
"I myself like our old CORE VALUES better, what happened to "Respect" & Integrity?" Backflow Technician Roy Fabila said in a reply-all response to the city manager's email.
Fabila wasn't alone.
"I agree with Roy. Teamwork and Communication skills are built on Respect and Integrity! I intend to keep them in my personal "Core Values", whether the City Council approves the change or not," Office Assistant Rita Davies emailed in response.
Still, integrity and respect got the cut. But they aren't exactly gone. The old values are folded into definitions provided for each of the three values. For example, accountability is defined as "We take ownership in what we do and serve our customers through strong leadership with integrity and respect."
Councilwoman Anita Wood said she was pleased concerns over dumping integrity and the other values had been addressed.
"I think you've added (the old values) in a nice way that still reminds everyone that is still part of what North Las Vegas is about even if it isn't a headline," said Councilwoman Anita Wood.
Contact Bethany Barnes at bbarnes@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861. Find her on Twitter: @betsbarnes
