Editorial: Las Vegas city needs more wards

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998 | 10:43 a.m.

During the 1997 Legislature, Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, sponsored legislation that would have increased the number of members on the Las Vegas City Council from four to six. But during the final days of the session the bill that eventually emerged from the legislative meat-grinder was much different.

After the Las Vegas city lobbying team objected, a compromise resulted in which the City Council avoided a legislative mandate and was given the authority to increase its size. The City Council, in turn, asked a citizens' group for advice on what to do.

The Council Review Committee believes the council should be expanded, but only after holding an advisory referendum. But if expansion is such a good idea, why the need to wait? Politicians too frequently hide beneath the cover of an advisory referendum when they can make the decisions themselves. If we didn't elect them to make tough choices on issues, why not put everything that might have adverse political consequences up to a vote?

Another downside to the advisory vote during the general municipal election in June is that it would come after the 1999 Legislature already has adjourned. Not until 2001 would the Legislature be able to address this issue if the Las Vegas City Council ducks its obligation to increase its size.

Some minority elected officials and activists have pushed for adding more seats to the City Council, contending that the more wards there are the greater will be the opportunity to get more minority representation on the City Council. Currently all four members of the City Council and the mayor are white.

Aside from the issue of creating a situation where more minorities would have the possibility of getting elected, it's been obvious for some time the Las Vegas City Council should be expanded, if only to meet the needs of its growing population. As it stands now, there are roughly 110,000 residents for every council member; under the two-member expansion this would result in a more reasonable 70,000 residents for every council member.

The City Council should forgo an advisory referendum and move forward on its own, taking the steps necessary for expansion. If the City Council doesn't have the stomach to do so, then the l999 Legislature should add two members to the City Council so residents have adequate representation.