County staff to apply for state grant to hire deputies as criminal-justice sales tax begins

Clark County staff told the council on March 25 that they will submit an application this month for a state criminal-justice grant intended to accompany a recently authorized 0.1% criminal-justice sales tax.

The grant application, staff said, would fund hiring costs and partial salaries for sworn positions the county plans to add as the sales-tax revenue is phased in. "We're planning to submit for hiring five new officers each of the three years," said Diane Rathbun, the county grants program coordinator. She said the grant would cover about "75% of their salary and benefits" and one-time costs associated with bringing new deputies on board.

Kathleen (county staff) told councilors that the county received verbal confirmation it meets program requirements and is awaiting written documentation from the state criminal justice training commission. "We did receive a verbal confirmation yesterday that we are in full compliance," Kathleen said, adding staff expected written confirmation within two weeks.

Staff described the program as competitive and said the state made $100 million available in the first round. "There's no hard limit per jurisdiction," Rathbun said, "but depending on the number of proposals they get, they may ask applicants to adjust the number of hires requested." Staff also said that if the county is awarded the grant, the award will return to the council for final action at a Tuesday meeting.

Councilors asked how the funds would be allocated and whether the sheriff’s office was supportive. Rathbun said the sheriff's office was engaged in identifying positions and related costs; the county's recording and analysis manager explained the grant can cover one-time hiring costs and associated implementation expenses.

The staff presentation noted the grant application deadline for the first round was March 30. Council members gave general support for moving forward with the application; staff emphasized that final acceptance of any award would come back to council for consideration.

The public comment period preceding the staff presentation included calls from residents concerned about rising property taxes and whether tribal entities or tax-exempt institutions should contribute to funding public safety, but council discussion of the grant focused on eligibility, competitiveness and coordination with the sheriff and jail services.

Next steps: staff will submit the first-round application by the stated deadline; if awarded, the grant will be returned to the council for formal approval and appropriation.