Shrinking police budgets expose flaw in ‘More Cops’ sales tax
CARSON CITY — Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie and a host of police lobbyists asked the Legislature on Tuesday to approve a bill to clean up an unforeseen problem with the More Cops sales tax.
Under the state law passed in 2005, police agencies in Clark County must maintain or increase their budgets each year to continue using the More Cops money.
But police agencies have been trimming their budgets in recent years because of falling tax revenues during the recession, a possibility that was not considered by lawmakers.
For example, Gillespie’s Metropolitan Police Department budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 will be $501 million, down from $549 million three years earlier.
A recent attorney general’s opinion found police departments would be violating the intent of voters if they cut police spending while paying for new officers with the More Cops funds.
"We have to pass this bill," said Assembly Taxation Committee Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas. "They all are in violation."
Assembly Bill 572 would allow police departments to use the More Cops sales tax even if their general fund police spending drops by at least 2 percent.
Gillespie told lawmakers the 560 new officers his agency hired under the quarter percent sales tax have helped reduce crime in Clark County.
"We have done a very good job with the revenue," the sheriff said. "It is very important that the law be modified so we can continue to use all resources."
No vote was taken on the bill, but Kirkpatrick expected a vote Thursday. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn June 6.
During the hearing, Henderson lobbyists said they hired 72 new officers with the sales tax revenue. North Las Vegas hired 68.
No one testified against the bill, although interim state Taxation Director Chris Nielsen said he would have to hire an additional employee or pay more overtime to ensure the tax revenue is spent properly.
Leonard Cardinale, a lobbyist with the North Las Vegas Police Protective Association, said his city employs 109 police officers, down from 146 in 2005.
Cardinale added that North Las Vegas uses More Cops revenue to pay salaries of existing and new police officers. He said the city has not used general fund revenue to hire any new officers in more than 10 years.
"In our opinion, the city has mishandled the More Cops money," Cardinale said.
Both Kirkpatrick and Cardinale said it has been difficult to get information from North Las Vegas financial officers on its police spending.
Kirkpatrick charged it took four hours for North Las Vegas police to show up at the home of a resident who had called to report a break-in, even though the police substation can be seen from her home.
When she sought information on police expenditures, Kirkpatrick said the city manager told her she didn’t need the information.
"People are frustrated," she said. "The voters voted to have more officers in their neighborhoods. We owe them that."
Al Noyola, acting North Las Vegas finance director, said it costs $9.1 million a year to pay the salaries and expenses of officers hired through More Cops, while the city receives only $7.8 million a year in sales tax revenue from the voter-approved question.
Cardinale contended North Las Vegas intends to lay off 19 more officers in coming weeks.
"This just sounds like a mess," said Assemblywoman Dina Neal, D-North Las Vegas, after hearing testimony from North Las Vegas police and city officials.
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.
