Only two new jobs to be added to city operations

Only two new positions were added as part of Carson City's $116 million budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. And a few positions originally paid for with grant money were slated for provisional funding.

Mayor Marv Teixeira said he was worried the city's spending plan provides no wiggle room should an economic downturn occur. He cited such concerns as high gasoline prices and a recent decrease in auto-sales revenue.

February, for instance, ended with a decrease of 9.2 percent in auto-related revenue compared to February 2005. Auto sales comprise roughly one-third of the city's taxable sales, according to Tom Minton, finance director.

"I want to take a very conservative fiscal approach," Teixeira said. "We've got to be responsible."

District Attorney Noel Waters was dismayed at the domestic violence prosecutor position being categorized as provisional.

"It's an ongoing problem in our society," he told the board.

Waters said later he would take one-shot funding for this prosecutor over no funding at all.

Other positions slated for provisional funding include the citizens outreach coordinator, a job created in January to improve relations between the city and various ethnic groups; the community safety and education coordinator, an employee who focuses on educating the public about fire and other safety issues; and, the alternative sentencing officer, whose job is to supervise defendants awaiting court sentencing.

Total cost for these employees exceeds $286,000.

Being put on hold are additions of a public works radio technician, trades technician and building maintenance worker, totaling $154,000.

Each position will be re-evaluated, likely sometime in December.

Two deputies to work in the jail were funded without question because of safety concerns cited by the supervisors. These new positions will cost approximately $152,700.

Male and female jail populations have risen during the past couple of years. The number of males went up from 107 in 2003 to 130 in 2005. The number of females increased from 20 in 2003 to 26 in 2005, according to the sheriff's department.

A property tax increase for new construction projects also received approval by the supervisors. This decision will allow the city to charge an additional 29 cents per each $100 of assessed value.

The supervisors will revisit the tax increase in June. And the Nevada Tax Commission still needs to approve it. It is expected to raise $57,000 during its first year and should begin July 1, said City Manager Linda Ritter.

The Carson City Library will get its necessary book budget money as part of a funding compromise that uses supplemental funding to avoid personnel cuts or deep reductions in operations spending.

"We skated through this year," said Sally Edwards, library director.

The library will be subject to a performance audit on its operations and will include analysis of such things as efficiency, customer service and use of technology. The library also seeks federal money to finance a study focusing on needs during the next 30 years.

An array of cost-cutting measures also were suggested in putting together the city's overall budget. For example, a savings of $100,000 came from the city dropping its equipment maintenance insurance policies and insuring these items by putting money aside as a form of self-insurance. The jail also reduced expenses by $50,000, and refinanced redevelopment debt to save at least another $20,000.

The supervisors will vote on the final budget during a special meeting May 15.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.