Budget debate turns on services, jobs

In the debate over pending layoffs and possible wage cuts at the city of Las Vegas, one employee group has raised an interesting fact: City marshals, who are facing the possible loss of 13 employees, provide security services to Mayor Oscar Goodman, including driving him to events.

Chris Collins of the Police Protective Association brought up the issue, noting that the service cost the city almost $40,000 in 2009 and more than $27,000 so far in the current budget year.

That's not much relative to the city's budget, far less than the cost of one full-time marshal. Cutting the program would save even less money, if the marshals who provide the service remain employed.

Still, the example illustrates the way the debate over the city's budget is being conducted.

City leaders talk about the need for cuts because of a lack of available money, while employees -- particularly the marshals and firefighters -- warn about reduced public safety services should workers and programs be cut.

The debate will continue Wednesday when the City Council meets to consider a preliminary budget.

Without employee concessions, that budget is expected to eliminate 215 positions, including 171 layoffs.

The Police Protective Association, which represents city marshals, offered to give up cost-of-living and longevity raises next year as well as a clothing allowance, provided that there were layoff protections and that those still eligible received merit raises due to them. City officials said that's not enough and wages must be reduced from current levels.

"I don't begrudge him the driver," Collins said of Goodman. "We made what we think is a fair offer to the city, and all (the mayor) has done since then is say it's not enough."

Canceling the detail wouldn't do much on its own, Collins acknowledged. There are overtime costs that could have been saved -- $9,709 in 2008 and $7,961 last year.

"It's not going to save a ton of money," he said. "If you don't spend the $40,000 driving the mayor around, you could be out patrolling the parks or doing what you were hired to do."

Deputy city marshals are paid salaries ranging from $51,600 to $79,192. The average salary is $70,500.

The security service is available to the other council members if they request it, if there's a special event, or if there is "intelligence information" about a council member's safety, said city spokeswoman Diana Paul. Goodman uses the service for practical reasons, but there also are "security concerns," she said.

"Reducing this service is not expected to save money, given the assignment is primarily accomplished with on-duty staff and as part of a regular assignment," Paul said.

For the past two years, Las Vegas officials have been scrambling to keep up with an ever-worsening budget picture. The economic downturn caused tax revenues to plummet, and so far the city has held positions vacant, delayed capital projects, offered early retirement incentives and implemented some layoffs.

In the next budget year, however, a $70 million budget shortfall is projected. Reserves can cover some of that, but officials have said all employees need to take an 8 percent pay cut in each of the next two fiscal years.

Most city employees are represented by one of four unions. The memberships of those unions would have to agree to change their labor contracts to accept any kind of wage cut. Firefighters, who were due for a new contract this year anyway, are negotiating with the city.

No elected officials on the Clark County Commission or the Henderson and North Las Vegas councils have security details, according to spokespeople for those entities. Gov. Jim Gibbons has one that is provided by the Nevada Highway Patrol.