Bill would change way NLV councilmen are elected

Lisa Snedeker

Monday, March 22, 1999 | 11:07 a.m.

The Nevada Legislature may have a direct hand in how the city of North Las Vegas is run in the future if two bills that were introduced last week become law.

The first, Assembly Bill 590, which is being heard in the Government Affairs Committee would revise the North Las Vegas City Charter to change the way city councilmen are elected.

The four-year council seats are elected at-large. The proposed amendment would designate the seats by the numbers one through four for election purposes, meaning a candidate would have to run for a particular council seat.

As soon as is practical after Oct. 1, the four councilmen, who would still be elected at-large, would draw lots to determine the number of the City Council seat that each of them holds.

Councilman William Robinson, who is running for re-election, is furious about the bill's introduction.

"The city (officials) should be the ones to vote on this, and they have," he said, referring to the City Council's rejection of the proposed changes. "I'm livid they are trying to change this (election rules)."

Councilman John Rhodes said he supports the bill.

"I think the election process is antiquated because it dates back to 1946 when 2,000 people lived here, and now we have over 100,000," he said.

Most importantly, according to Rhodes, if passed, the bill would remove the two-person vote. Rhodes said because residents can vote for two council people, they often vote twice for their favorite candidate.

"What I'm trying to do is create a more balanced system," he said. "It will also make us more consistent with the other communities."

The other bill, Senate Bill 454, which is being heard in the Government Affairs Committee also would amend the city's charter to place the city attorney under the supervision of the City Council.

"The City Council shall appoint a city attorney and fix his salary," the amendment reads.