North Las Vegas officials, union agree to save police jobs
North Las Vegas city officials and the police union finalized an agreement Wednesday afternoon on contract concessions that will save the jobs of 11 police officers.
The City Council must still approve the agreement, which includes the suspension of cost-of-living raises for fiscal 2011-12. The 4.25 percent raise will not be deferred or made up in future years.
The city will save an estimated $3.65 million over the next 18 months. The city has promised not to privatize the detention center through June 30, 2014, or conduct any research regarding privatization.
Police officers also will give back 12 days of sick leave and 13 days of vacation sell-back pay, saving the city nearly $2.2 million for the 450 members, according to a news release.
According to a committee formed this year to study the city's budget, North Las Vegas police officers average $156,000 annually in salaries and benefits.
The North Las Vegas Police Officers Association represents 360 police officers, corrections officers and marshals.
It is the second of the city's unions to come to an agreement to save money and avoid layoffs as the financially-strapped city struggles to fill a $35 million budget shortfall through fiscal 2011. In November, city officials approved contract concessions with Teamsters Local 14, the city's largest union, which saved 144 jobs.
The North Las Vegas firefighters union is still in concession talks with the city. If an agreement is not reached, 33 firefighters could lose their jobs next year.
The council's next meeting is at 6 p.m. Jan. 5 at City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive. For more information, visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com.
Contact Downtown and North Las Vegas View reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@viewnews.com or 383-0492.
