North Las Vegas tentative budget calls for layoffs
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City leaders in North Las Vegas have passed a tentative budget that includes more than $33 million in cuts and 217 layoffs. Video by ktnv.com
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North Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- City leaders in North Las Vegas have passed a tentative budget that includes more than $33 million in cuts.
That will amount to approximately 217 people losing their jobs, unless last-minute union concessions are made.
"It is unfortunate we could not come to an accord with our unions, and are being forced to lay off employees to balance our budget," City Manager Tim Hacker said after Tuesday's budget meeting. "There is no question these are tough times and the last thing we want for anyone is a lost job or to reduce the current level of service and public safety for residents."
Here is the breakdown of layoffs:
- Police: 100
- Teamsters: 60
- Fire: 57
"There is not one city council member up here that wants to lay anybody off," said Mayor Shari Buck. "You lay off a person, you lay off a family and tell me where in this valley those families would go for work."
Late Tuesday, Teamsters Local 14 agreed to come to the table and bargain to help avoid layoffs.
The wild cards are the police and fire unions.
Both groups are set to get raises next year and, so far, refuse to give them up.
"There seems to be an entitlement that they put their lives on the line and therefore they should get and I understand that, but we have our military too that's out there and they're not getting pay raises," said Councilwoman Anita Wood.
The city is asking for a 2-year freeze on annual raises and changes to holiday pay and uniform policies to help save money.
Last-minute deals could help save some of the 217 jobs, but the unions will have to act fast.
A final budget is due to the state June 1.
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