Board examines proposal to shift state services to city

A proposal by local governments to phase in services expected to be turned over from the state will be heard Thursday by the Carson City Board of Supervisors.

Local government experts have warned for months that the shift in certain services proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval - intended to help solve the state's budget shortfall - would force cities and counties to lay off more workers and cut more services.

Mary Walker, government affairs consultant for the Legislative Coalition made up Carson City, and Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties, will discuss a potential offer to the state regarding the assumption of those services.

"According to information I received from the state, these shifts amount to nearly $7 million per year to our four counties, or nearly $14 million over the biennium," Walker wrote in a March 24 report to officials of all four counties.

The known annual impact of state budget shifts proposed in the governor's budget are:

• Carson City, $2.8 million

• Douglas County, $2 million

• Lyon County, $1.9 million

• Storey County, $300,000

"The coalition is recommending the boards of the four counties consider offering to assume certain services from the state of Nevada by providing the services on a regional basis," said Walker, formerly finance director for Carson City.

"The primary reason (for the proposal) is we do not believe paying the state a sum of money for services without any control over the costs of the service, level of service or quality of service is in the best interests of the counties or its citizens," she said.

The proposal includes a phase-in over the next 18 months of taking over the state services on a regional basis through the Carson City Health Department through an interlocal agreement between the four counties, she said.

The services would include:

• Emergency medical services

• Medical care related to tuberculosis

• Medical care related to sexually transmitted disease

• Consumer/environmental health

• Community health

In addition, Walker's report recommends that the four counties continue to pay the 2.5-cent Indigent Accident Fund/Supplemental Fund to the state and to increase their long-term care 50/50 match payments to the state up to the current 8-cent property tax cap.

"The 8-cent cap will ensure the long-term care costs are paid from the designated indigent tax fund and not the general fund," Walker states.

Complete details of the proposal will be presented during the meeting and can be downloaded with the city's agenda and backup material from their website.

During the meeting, Walker also will update the board on current and upcoming legislative issues.

The Carson City 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.car

son.org to download an agenda and a complete information packet.