City OKs proposal offering to take over state services on regional basis

Carson City will join three nearby counties in offering the state a plan for assuming various services, the board of supervisors decided Thursday.

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 - could devastate local governments already struggling with their own budget crises.

According to information the city's lobbyist Mary Walker received from the state, the shifts amount to nearly $7 million per year to the four counties, and while Walker's proposal calls for assuming only half of that amount, she said she believes it will be well-received.

Walker, who also is government affairs consultant for the Legislative Coalition made up of Carson City, and Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties, has put together with the coalition a phased-in approach which would better serve local governments than one imposed by the state.

"We don't believe paying the state a sum of money is in the best interest of the counties," she said, because (counties) would have no control over the costs, level or quality of the services. "Regionally, we'll see more continuity and a higher level of services" under this proposal.

She also told supervisors that being proactive would be the best approach.

"We feel that by stepping forward with this offer in good faith, the good faith will be returned," she said. "We've been told that if you don't come to us with a plan, we'll do it ourselves," she said, adding that the coalition's proposal so far "has been very well-received."

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

• Carson City, $2.8 million

• Douglas County, $2 million

• Lyon County, $1.9 million

• Storey County, $300,000

The coalition's proposal calls for the four counties to assume certain responsibilities on a regional basis, and that certain services would be phased in over the next 18 months.

The services would include emergency medical services, medical care related to tuberculosis, medical care related to sexually transmitted disease, consumer/environmental health and community health.

The proposal also says that the four counties will continue to pay the 2.5-cent Indigent Accident Fund/Supplemental Fund to the state and will 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 said in a report to the board.

"Economics and politics are in play here, but we're in the boat together with the state," said Mayor Bob Crowell. "We don't want to put anybody under the bus. It's tricky."

Supervisor Karen Abowd agreed.

"If we don't reach across the aisle, we could be penalized," she sad.

Storey County has already voted it would support the offer to the state, while Douglas and Lyon counties were expected to weigh in Thursday.