Las Vegas Employment Landscape

As the housing market continues it’s downward spiral, the areas of employment effected increase. Last year saw the closing of several financial institutes that dealt with home loans and decrease in profit for manufactures who make building materials. Now 30 Las Vegas jobs at the area’s City Hall will be cut due to the drop in construction of new homes. 

According to Manager Doug Selby and Finance Director Mark Vincent blamed the Las Vegas job cuts on the 36 percent decrease in building permit revenue experienced over the last two years. This has lead to a budget in imbalance. At this point operating costs current exceed revenues by $5.7 million. In order to try to level the scales somewhat, an unspecified number of other Las Vegas jobs, those held by hourly employees at City Hall, will also be cut. In addition to this, the area will also be closing certain senior centers and city operated pools on Sundays.

The decided upon 30 jobs in Las Vegas that will be cut as of April 12th will mostly effect area inspectors. This will save the city approximately $4.2 million. According to Vincent, the expenses of this department will still exceed revenues by about $2 million a year. These layoffs will result in the Building Department having a staff of around 100 employees. 

Las Vegas housing inspector jobs are paid for through the fees collected on new building permits. According to recent data, the fund that pays for these positions will have fallen from roughly $19 million in 2007 to $3.5 million in fiscal 2008.