County eyes more staffing for jail

Adding positions would cut costs, wear and tear of overtime

Clark County Detention Center probably will get money to hire 30 more corrections officers this year.

During a preliminary budget hearing on Wednesday, county commissioners appeared keen on the idea of allocating the jail an additional $4 million for staffing to cut down on overtime costs and relieve overworked employees.

“Folks are saying they can’t do the overtime anymore. They’re tired. They want to stay home,” Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick said. “That’s not good public safety.”

The money would be distributed as part of the county budget for fiscal year 2019, which starts July 1.

Preliminary budget projections show the county expects revenues of $1.38 billion for its general fund, a $65.1 million increase from the current year.

Property taxes are expected to bring in about $307 million, a 4.2 percent increase. That growth is slower than properties’ assessed values, which are projected to increase by 11 percent, because tax caps.

Like last year, the county is budgeting to spend more than it takes in. The proposed budget calls for spending $1.42 billion from the general fund.

Half of that money will be earmarked for public safety, including the Metropolitan Police Department and jail operations. Metro would receive $3.8 million more than its expected operation costs and would

BUDGET Folks are saying they can’t do the overtime anymore. They’re tired. They want to stay home. That’s not good public safety.

hands for a chance at prize money.

The custom Vegas Strong guns and other prizes, including signed UFC items and resort stays, were raffled at The Orleans after the event.

Capt. Rich Fletcher, who heads Metro’s honor guard, said the event raised money to send members of the guard to Carson City and Washington, D.C., in May to honor Hartfield. Saturday’s event raised about $23,000 before expenses, he said.

Fletcher said that when he ordered the rifle, he just wanted the serial number to say Vegas Strong, but hadn’t expected the handguard engraving. When he saw a photo of the rifle, he approved the order, he said.

A man who answered the phone for PT Gunworks, the California-based gun manufacturer that fulfilled the order, said the honor guard asked for both a custom serial number and custom handguard.

The man hung up before giving his name.

Fletcher said most people he talked to about the rifle supported the idea

of the customized firearm, but he said he understands how some people could find the engraved handguard insensitive.

“Please understand, that rifle was meant for all good intentions,” Fletcher said.

The honor guard raffles guns every year, he said, and the rifle with Vegas Strong engraved in the handguard was the highest draw at the raffle. “We just can’t let evil win,” he said. Contact Blake Apgar at bapgar@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5298. Follow @blakeapgar on Twitter.