Council review panel seeks public’s help

Erin Neff

Friday, Dec. 4, 1998 | 11:24 a.m.

The committee reviewing the composition, salaries and job description of the Las Vegas City Council zeroed in a bit closer to its final recommendation Thursday, but decided it needed some help from the public to reach that decision.

Members of the Council Review Committee also hinted that their final decision may include both an increase in council's size and the paychecks of that board's members.

"I'm concerned about equity for what people do," said Committee Chairman Ron Portaro. "I think equity dictates that we do something about it."

As an example, Portaro cited the $60,000 annual salary of San Jose, Calif., City Council members for a 40-hour work week without the ability to hold an outside job.

By contrast, Las Vegas City Council members earn $36,400 and work an average of 50.9 hours a week, according to a survey conducted by Bob Hasegawa, manager of the city's transportation services who is one of several staff members providing the committee with data.

"It's what one would normally consider to be a full-time job," Hasegawa said.

The committee reached consensus at its Nov. 19 meeting that council positions should not be considered full time in the sense that they prohibit a person from holding another job.

The committee reiterated its commitment to that point Thursday, but seemed willing to accept that council jobs are in fact, full time, even if they don't carry that label.

"I personally think they should have an increase in compensation," said committee member Russ Dorn.

But committee member Bob Forbuss questioned whether the total fiscal impact involved with adding council members and increasing salaries is worth it.

"If the public feels they've got access (to council members), spending upwards of $1 million a year is money we could spend elsewhere on projects," Forbuss said. "This is a lot of money to spend."

Deputy City Manager Steven Houchens estimates adding one council member would cost $275,120 annually with one-time costs of $105,000 for office renovations, furniture and equipment. Adding two council positions would cost $550,240 annually with one-time costs of $170,000.

Committee member Fernando Romero said it should be the council member's decision whether he or she can make ends meet on a $36,400 salary. He referred to Councilman Larry Brown's decision to quit his full-time job to devote all of his time to council matters.

"I think we are tampering with something we shouldn't be," Romero said. "That is their decision."

Earlier in the meeting, Romero raised concerns that the committee was not paying enough attention to the under-representation of blacks and Hispanics.

However, Portaro said the committee was not charged to examine redistricting of wards. The committee is only supposed to recommend whether council positions need to be added.

"We're looking at size," Portaro said. "And I'm not sure the ethnicity question is relevant to the issue of size."

The committee will advise the City Council in January of its final decision. At that point, the council will vote on that recommendation.

"If council adds two slots, there's going to be another committee sitting around the table in six months," Portaro said.

The committee also approved the wording and questions on a phone survey the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has agreed to ask of 400 city residents.

Questions range from "Do you know who your city councilman is?" to "Have you ever tried contacting your councilman?"

Results of the survey are expected back by Dec. 14. The committee will make its recommendation Jan. 11.