NBC - Is bottled water worth $34,000?

Last week, Governor Gibbons announced his proposed budget during his State of the State address. He also encouraged Nevadans to go online and take a look at his budget. That's something the News 3 Investigators did, and Mitch Truswell discovered that the state will spend thousands of dollars just on bottled water.

Many cities - New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles - have banned the use of city funds to purchase bottled water. Those cities say their tap water is absolutely fine to drink and they don't want to add to the environmental problem of plastic bottles winding up in landfills.

It may surprise you to know that the state of Nevada will spend in excess of $34,000 next fiscal year just on bottled water.

"I encourage all Nevadans to look at this budget and offer your suggestions to your legislator and to my office. This is your tax money and you deserve a voice in how it is spent."

If you visit the Nevada Open Government web site, you will find the governor's proposed budget. It was there that News 3 kept seeing bottled water listed under operating expenses. One of the larger amounts found was $3,570 for the Department of Public Safety. News 3 is still waiting for comment regarding who uses the water.

The Nevada Supreme Court will also spend more than $2,900 on bottled water. News 3 was told that it's primarily used in Las Vegas at the Supreme Court's office inside the Regional Justice Center. A spokesperson says the water is offered during committee meetings and to the Supreme Court Justices and staff.

According to the spokesperson, water quality at the RJC has been an issue and the water sometimes looks bad, so they provide it in a bottled form.

The Public Utility Commission will spend almost $2,200 for bottled water. Their office does not offer any drinking fountains, so bottled water has to be provided for employees, PUC members, and the public during meetings.

The Taxicab Authority will spend $2,798 on bottled water. It's used by airport control officers stationed at McCarran. A spokesperson says the offices provided for McCarran's control officers do not have running water. Also, the employees need to remain hydrated in order to effectively do their jobs.

The spokesperson adds that the Taxicab Authority is self-funded through fees, so it's not taxpayers' dollars being spent on the water.

The governor's office also has an expense of $4,094 for bottled water, and a separate listing under maintenance for the governor's mansion lists $2,300 for water. In addition, Parole and Probation spends $822, the State Gaming and Control Board spends $440, and the State Motor Pool spends $1,716.

News 3 is still waiting for comment from all of these departments.

Speaking of money, Governor Gibbons also made a pledge during his State of the State address: If state employees' salaries are cut, he too will cut his own pay by six percent.

"I am also taking the same six percent salary reduction in my own salary and I'm asking that other constitutional officers and other branches of government to do the very same."  

The governor has not reduced his salary yet. He will, says a spokesperson, if state workers' salaries are cut. When the News 3 Investigators checked other constitutional officers, it appears that most will cut their salaries as well - although many see it as a short-term fix. Their comments are available for viewing on the News 3 Investigators Watchdog Blog.

According to the state of Nevada, not all bottled water is personal-sized bottles. In some cases, five gallon jugs are used if it is found to be more efficient.

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