Clark County to spend $29.5 million in capital projects this year
Clark County will spend $29.5 million worth of capital projects this year — covering everything from a fire engine at a rural station to new vehicles to upgraded computer technology.
The $29.5 million approved by county commissioners Tuesday is up from fiscal year 2010 and 2011, when the county held off on capital funding entirely at the height of the recession. But at the same time, it’s less than half what the county was spending on capital projects before the recession.
Between fiscal year 2006 and fiscal year 2009, spending ranged from $63.3 million to $108.9 million.
“Most of what you see on the list is pretty much deferred maintenance,” George Stevens, the county’s chief financial officer, told commissioners.
The list is varied. It includes $2.8 million for vehicle replacement of light- and heavy-duty vehicles past their prime and a $350,000 fire engine for a rural station. Nearly $8 million is set aside for information technology needs, including replacing a transformer, new equipment and better security of confidential data.
It isn’t all for computer nerds, though. About $2.1 million is set aside for parks improvements at six locations: Desert Breeze Park, Horseman’s Park, Laurelwood Park, Mountain Crest Park, SIlver Bowl Park and Shadow Rock Park.
About $10 million is set aside for facilities improvements, which range from water damage at Child Haven ($45,966) to a $1.1 million surveillance system upgrade at the Juvenile Detention Center, Spring Mountain Residential Center and Spring Mountain Youth Camp. There’s also $6 million for equipment at University Medical Center.
Contact reporter Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-405-9781. Follow him on Twitter @BenBotkin1.
