Boulder City, Nevada City Manager Page 1
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BOULDER CITY, NEVADA CITY MANAGER PAGE 1 BOULDER CITY, NEVADA CITY MANAGER BOULDER CITY, NV (Population: 16,207) Located 30 minutes from Las Vegas airport, Boulder City is a delightful and unique desert town located in the southern tip of Nevada. Boulder City enjoys a distinctive heritage, with its roots beginning with the implementation of one of the most significant public works projects in history -- the Boulder Canyon Project, a monumental federal undertaking resulting in the construction of Hoover Dam. Boulder City is a beautiful high oasis in the desert (elev. 2,400 ft.) with green lawns and many clean, tree-shaded streets overlooking man-made Lake Mead and the Lake Mead Recreation Area. The Safewise report for 2020 has “Clean, Green Boulder City” as the safest city in Nevada. The City of Boulder City is known as the city that housed over 4,000 workers during the construction of Hoover Dam (1931 to 1935). It remains home to some of the families of original Dam workers, fondly called the “31-ers”. The city was supervised and regulated by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation and all land in an around the city was owned by the federal government. In 1958, the federal government passed the Boulder City Act and established an independent municipal government, Boulder City. Under this Act, the federal government turned over the existing government reservation site (approximately 33 sq. mi. of land) and the utility system to the residents of Boulder City. Following many years of extremely rapid growth, in 1979 the city adopted a controlled growth ordinance for the purpose of controlling the rate and distribution of development throughout the community to ensure the adequacy of the City’s facilities and services within acceptable allocation of City revenues. The controlled growth requirements and philosophy are zealously monitored by City residents. Approximately 30% of Boulder City’s population represents senior citizens and retirees from government and corporate pursuits. Geographically, Boulder City is the largest city in Nevada—over 200 square miles in size, so it had plenty of opportunity to grow along with the Las Vegas Valley. However, Boulder City has chosen to remain a small town and true to its historic beginnings. Boulder City prides itself in its commitment to support solar energy development. It is the home to one of the largest commercial scale photovoltaic solar energy plants in the United States and is working toward making its mark as a leader in solar energy generation throughout the world. It is the home to several other solar energy plants, namely Consolidated Edison’s Boulder City Solar and Acciona’s Nevada Solar One. The City has an additional 6,000 acres under lease for future solar energy development in partnership with world energy development leaders. The current active solar leases cover 4,745 acres and generate 1,165 megawatts of power. Boulder City residents enjoy and are vigilant in protecting a high quality of life and in preserving the excellent family-oriented and small-town nature of the community; gaming is prohibited by City charter, resulting in a community atmosphere unlike any municipality in Nevada. It truly is a community that has that hometown feel. It is a close-knit community that has a strong volunteer base with residents that are friendly and cordial, involved in their community and vocal in their opinions. The community takes great pride in its historic past and abounds with cultural opportunities. It has a state-of-the- art library and a wealth of interesting and unique shops located in the historic downtown district along Nevada Way. Boulder City sponsors numerous special events and festivals such as the annual Art in the Park and Spring Jamboree celebrations which are recognized as the foremost art exhibition in southern Nevada. The City continues to offer one of the lowest property assessments in Southern Nevada along with some of the lowest utility rates as compared to surrounding communities. As the city with the largest geographical area in Nevada and the only city in Nevada with no gaming, Boulder City continues to provide the service, commitment, and family-oriented atmosphere that its founders envisioned over 70 years ago. PAGE 2 BOULDER CITY, NEVADA CITY MANAGER Nearly all of the land within the Boulder City limits is owned by the city, and this land is an important asset to the community. The city’s controlled growth ordinance limits residential and hotel-motel development and has an established process regarding how land can be disposed of or sold. This land asset has made it possible for the city to develop many large parks, a multi-species conservation preserve and world-renowned mountain biking trails. Boulder City is a vibrant, tourist-based community, that hosts many special events and supports many recreational activities. Just beyond the glitz and glam of Las Vegas is a town that built Hoover Dam lending the area to numerous outdoor activities. Bootleg Canyon offers over 36 miles of trail systems winding along Lake Mead and with views of Hoover Dam. The River Mountains Loop Trail is a more primitive desert adventure through Boulder City by way of hiking, biking or climbing. Additionally, the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail allows for walking through the city’s past history. If by water, the experience of a guided smooth-water river raft tour that launches at the base of Hoover Dam. The adventure provides a serene and scenic guide down the Colorado River to learn and explore the region. Additionally, there are various guided kayak or canoe tours of Lake Mead and the Colorado River. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is 1.4 million acres of land with over 700 miles of pristine shoreline for walking sandy beaches and discovering blue-water coves in the area. There are also various water cruises and boating activities along with a full-service marina (Las Vegas Boat Harbor). The Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is located 840 feet above the Colorado River and guides visitors to the Hoover Dam for tours. The Nevada Southern Railway Museum provides a 3.5-mile journey along the historic Boulder Branch Line to Railroad Pass on an excursion train with refurbished Pullman coaches. The city is also home to three golf courses—two of which are municipal golf courses. Boulder City Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course developed in the ‘70’s and Boulder Creek Golf Course is a 27-hole desert golf course developed in the early ‘00’s. Boulder City schools are a part of the Clark County School District. Boulder City High School is a recipient of the prestigious “5-star rating“ designation, only given to the highest performing schools in the school district’s ranking system. Martha P. King Elementary School serves third through fifth grade and has approximately 370 students. Andrew Mitchell Elementary School also serves pre-kindergarten through • Bureau of Reclamation second grade and has an enrollment of approximately 330 students. Students in grades • National Park Service sixth through eighth are served by Elton Garrett Junior High School with an enrollment of • City of Boulder City approximately 440 students. Garrett Junior High has also attained a 5-Star rating. • Clark County School District Boulder City High School has approximately 630 students from grades ninth through • Nevada State Veteran’s Home twelfth. In addition to these public schools, Boulder City is also home to several private • Sempra Energy schools for elementary education. For higher education, students can choose on-line learning or attend classes nearby Boulder City at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, College of Southern Nevada or Nevada State University. PAGE 3 BOULDER CITY, NEVADA CITY MANAGER The City of Boulder City is a Special Charter municipality that Boulder City has the following departments: Administrative operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The Services, Finance, Public Works, Community Development, City Council is comprised of five members elected at large on Police, Fire, Parks & Recreation, and Utilities. Boulder City is a non-partisan basis for four-year overlapping terms of office. a fiscally conservative driven community placing value on The Mayor is elected directly by the residents for a four-year keeping the financial stability of the community at the term. The City Council appoints the City Attorney, City Clerk, forefront of their capital planning and growth. They are a City Manager and Municipal Judge, as well as members of value-driven organization dedicated to responsive, respectful Advisory Boards and Commissions. and courteous customer service. The total budget for 2019- 2020 including all funds is about $75 million with a general The City Manager executes the policies and directives of the fund budget of around $35.5 million. There are several Council by coordinating, directing, and supervising the work of enterprise funds which are comprised of the Utilities (electric, the City’s major departments and activities. City staff is well landfill, water and wastewater), Airport and Cemetery. The educated, experienced and work together well as a team. city has approximately 200 FTE employees. They are professionals who are serious about their work and are dedicated toward the betterment of the community. Boulder City’s financial position is healthy due in fact to solar leases from the City’s established solar development field The City Council has adopted and implemented a financial within the Eldorado Valley. For FY 2020, the City will receipt plan which is the roadmap for paying off debt, rebuilding fund close to $11.5 million dollars from rents and royalties or about balances and providing funding for capital improvements. The 30% of its revenue stream. City is financially strong, and future solar lease revenues are a big part of the financial sustainability plan.