Local lawmakers are set to vote on resolutions that could significantly impact the funding of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Scheduled special meetings by the Clark County Commission and the Las Vegas City Council will take place this Saturday and Monday.
The main agenda is Nevada Senate Bill 451, which proposes an extension of a property tax levy that currently contributes to the funding of around a quarter of the department’s commissioned officers.
Originally introduced in March, the bill aims to continue a tax of 20 cents on every $100 of assessed property value in the city and unincorporated areas of Clark County.
This tax levy is set to expire in the summer of 2027, and the approval of the bill would extend it until 2057.
In conjunction with an already established permanent tax of 8 cents per $100 of assessed value, which was approved by voters in 1988, this funding mechanism raises approximately $155 million annually.
This financial resource is crucial since it covers the salaries of more than 800 Metro officers, according to the proposed resolution by the city.
For homeowners, the Metro property tax translates to about $310 on a $3,100 tax bill based on a $500,000 home assessment, as reported by Senate staff.
The necessity for special meetings to vote on the measure remains unclear, but it follows a session where the Nevada Senate voted overwhelmingly, 17-4, to advance the bill to the Assembly.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the special meetings, local officials have reiterated their commitment to this funding structure.
According to the city’s resolution, “No resident or business will pay more in property tax than they currently do as a result of the extension of the property tax levy.”
Metro officials highlight that this funding has enabled the department to maintain a ratio of two officers for every 1,000 residents.
Without the funded positions, Metro warns of potential reductions in staffing levels and longer response times.
The department emphasized the importance of extending the tax levy now as it allows for effective budget planning in the future.
“It is imperative to pass the funding now because public budgets are set a year in advance,” the statement reads.
Failing to extend the levy before the 2027 budget would necessitate adjusting to the loss of this revenue, according to department officials.
The legislation requires the Legislature’s approval with a two-thirds majority vote, along with backing from Governor Joe Lombardo and the local governments.
While Lombardo’s office did not provide immediate comments on the bill, Senator Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, who introduced the bill, stressed the importance of maintaining this revenue stream.
Cannizzaro stated, “I believe that a failure to maintain this revenue stream is simply unacceptable, as it would result in a reduction in force leading to fewer officers on the street and decreased response times in the community.”
At a committee meeting earlier this month, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill voiced support for the bill, emphasizing how critical the tax is for sustaining a sufficient number of officers.
“This funding allows (Metro) to deliver the vital services our community has come to expect,” McMahill remarked following the Senate vote.
City leaders, including Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson, have also expressed their support for the legislation and its implications for public safety.
The upcoming meetings will be critical in determining the future funding of the Metropolitan Police Department and, by extension, public safety across the region.
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