Formula to solve Clark County's revenue problem.

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These are tough times for government. Not nearly as tough as they are for the governed, but tough times, nonetheless.

So, how do we get the local budget under control? How do we get those leading us understand that tax increases are not the way?

I've long advocated that those government employees that have budgetary input should be allowed to personally keep 10% of any monies they save.

Unfortunately, bureaucrats are not promoted or awarded bonuses for walking into their boss's office and telling them, "Boss, you know what? My budget is too big, and I've got too many people."

What's the incentive for them to reduce the size of their empire?

You want budget cuts? Then have the people using the equipment, offices, cars and so forth make the recommendations.

We're not getting the recommendations now because there's precisely zero incentive to provide them. So make an incentive. And make it substantial.

Each recommendation has to be reviewed for viability, of course, otherwise the budget would resemble a collapsing star, it would shrink so fast.

An additional step will be to cut the pay and benefits of all county employees.

Those cuts might get less drastic if some of the county's 11 labor bargaining units, eight of which are now negotiating with the county, agree to wage freezes or benefit cuts next year.

There's really noting TO negotiate, except for the size of the pay CUTS.

Yes, that sucks for them. But does unemployment suck even more? Is a reduced pay check with county benefits preferable to NO paycheck with ZERO benefits?

It would be to me. And like it or hate it, this is hardly a worker's market, with Clark County having the highest unemployment in the state.

Here's a clue: we're in a horrific recession. Things are bad enough for the people paying the bills; there can be no way for this county to make it worse. And to Commissioner Stuart, already indebted to David Barnett for buying him his office, you're coming up for reelection in 2010. As a new-bridge/loot rail maniac and a corrupt commissioner elected entirely because of the check your boss sent in for you, you're going to have it tough enough as it is. Don't make your re-election impossible by jacking up our taxes in the midst of a recession.

In short, a little of that American ingenuity and sacrifice that our president is calling for; sacrifice on EVERYONE'S part, including those in government, is called for.

So, allow the budget writers to cut and keep some of their cuts as an incentive while cutting the pay and benefits of everyone still employed by the county... or laying off enough employees to make up the shortfall.

This situation is NOT an "emergency." It is, instead, a reflection of the economy that surrounds us all. And if Commissioner Boldt "has to do what we say," then don't ignore us by raising our taxes without asking.

You can't have it both ways, Mr. Boldt.
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