Clark County agrees to short mutual aid extension with Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Clark County has agreed to a short extension of its mutual aid agreement with the city of Las Vegas.
Commissioners on Tuesday ratified an amendment that extends the interlocal agreement through Feb. 22 while negotiations between the two municipal governments continue.
The agreement was previously set to expire in December. The city of Las Vegas has already agreed to the extension.
Las Vegas and Clark County have traded barbs recently over the interlocal agreement, which allows firefighters from both jurisdictions to respond to emergencies based on availability and proximity, regardless of city and county boundaries.
Las Vegas city leaders say rapid growth in the northwest valley is putting more pressure on Las Vegas Fire & Rescue as they respond to county islands -- unincorporated parts of Clark County surrounded by the city -- and they want the county to contribute more toward the cost of those services.
"At the end of the day, our ability to keep our community safe, there is a big cost associated with it. And right now, we are not getting compensated in any way from Clark County," Las Vegas City Manager Mike Janssen previously said.
Clark County disputes the city's characterization of the interlocal agreement, saying that it contributes its fair share and that emergency services should be provided without residents having to worry about jurisdictional boundaries.
"I just want it to be known that not only are we paying our fair share, we are paying a lot of theirs," Clark County Commissioner April Becker previously said.
Despite the disagreements over funding, fire leaders from both jurisdictions say their departments remain committed to responding to emergencies wherever they occur.