NORTH LAS VEGAS -- On the same day the North Las Vegas Firefighters Union announced the imminent closure of two fire stations because of low staffing, the city found an extra $48 million.
The city, however, said it can't use the funds to prevent cuts to public safety.
North Las Vegas City Manager Tim Hacker said the city is only now taking a full accounting of grants and bond money it hadn't previously included in the budget.
He said that because the $48 million is tied up in other projects and funds, it can't be used to fund police and firefighters.
Just weeks ago, North Las Vegas city leaders declare a financial emergency.
Hacker said it's not that the city just all of a sudden found $48 million.
He said the city's finance team was busy trying to figure out how to close next year's budget gap. The team is only now figuring out what last year's budget actually was, he said.
From park projects to street lights, the city of North Las Vegas is increasing the budget on a wide variety of items. He said.
"The bulk of these dollars are capital projects, so construction projects, either funded by regional transportation, or regional flood, (state transportation department), a variety of other sources, or grants," Hacker said. "Grants that are (issued) for a specific timeframe."
Earlier today, the firefighters union announced deep cuts in the fire department's ability to respond to emergencies.
Firefighter union president Jeff Hurley said two fire stations will be "browned out" or temporarily closed July 1.
Because several firefighters are leaving North Las Vegas every month, there are too many vacancies to fill the fire trucks, he said.
Hurley said the number of fire engines ready to respond to calls will drop to seven – down from a daily average of 19.
Hacker said he will ask the firefighters union to allow fewer firefighters to work on each engine to keep them running.
But Hurley said engines are staffed at current levels for safety reasons.
The North Las Vegas City Council is expected to discuss the extra $48 million Wednesday night during its regular meeting.
