Carson City Board of Supervisors to consider cutting building department staff

Due to declining revenues of about 65 percent from those projected for Carson City's Building Enterprise Fund, the Board of Supervisors will be asked on Thursday to reduce the level of service the building department provides, including cutting staff by 50 percent.

Revenues for the Building Enterprise Fund were budgeted for about $676,000 for the current fiscal year, which started in July. Projections based on the first four months now suggest that only about $300,000 in revenues can be expected, according to Public Works Director Andy Burnham.

As a result, Burnham said, it is necessary to cut costs - including staff. Burnham's department is recommending that the current staff of six be cut to three, with the transfer of those positions to unfilled jobs available in other areas of Public Works such as the landfill, sewer and water divisions, so that no one will be laid off.

If approved, the action would result in fewer building inspections and plan checking, as well as longer waiting periods for permits, Burnham said.

Burnham also will request a $200,000 transfer from the general fund to offset some of the loss.

Supervisors also are expected Thursday to consider:

• Approving an employment contract for City Manager Larry Werner, with a salary of $140,000.

• Seeking proposals for the construction and operation of a resources recovery facility at the landfill. The city would like to set a waste diversion goal of a minimum of 70 percent, extending the life of the landfill to more than 100 years.

• Taking disciplinary action, as the liquor board, against Eagle Gas, 1360 S. Carson St., and San Marcos Grill, 260 Winnie Lane, for second offenses of selling alcohol to minors within six months of the previous offenses.

• Making several changes to the current municipal code governing liquor licenses, including a requirement for a liquor license holder to maintain an alcohol training program.

• Authorizing the expenditure of $1,500 from the Redevelopment Authority's Revolving Fund to cover the cost of renting the community center's Bob Boldrick Theater for Sierra Nevada Ballet's "Peanutcracker."

• Approving a $200,000 contract for a professional engineer to be paid from a water fund account and various water capital accounts. The consultant would provide technical help on projects such as designing pipelines and pumping stations.

The Board of Supervisors meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St. Go to www.carson-city.nv.us/ to download an agenda with backup materials.