Guinn wants to give local governments more control

Adrienne Packer

Friday, Oct. 15, 1999 | 10:34 a.m.

In a relaxed round-table discussion Thursday, Gov. Kenny Guinn mixed humor with earnestness while explaining how local government fits into his administration during a presentation to the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO).

Guinn said one of his missions is to unshackle local governments and give them more control and flexibility.

He quickly added that he too would like some flexibility. For example, because of state budget lines, Guinn can't add badly needed positions to the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety -- where one can wait as long as a day in line -- even though the state is saving money by leaving positions in other divisions vacant.

"I would like to know how many of you would like to take over the job I just took over. No, not governor, the DMV," Guinn said jokingly. "I'm the chairman of the DMV."

Guinn fielded questions from a four-member panel representing NACO and the National Association of Counties, pumped his own programs and offered insight on how his administration will handle the state budget.

Guinn said that after taking office in January he was dismayed to learn he only had a little more than a month to develop a long-range plan and four months to complete a multibillion dollar budget.

His administration is embarking on an eight-year plan, and Guinn on Thursday encouraged local government officials to avoid waiting until the last minute to submit their suggestions and priorities.

"If (the Legislature) only meets every two years, we must do a better job of planning," said Guinn, who added the long-range plan will require a more extensive study than has ever been conducted before. "We will do it with our own people because who knows better our needs?"

He promised that the budget process would be more open than it has in the past to ensure that all jurisdictions are fully aware of which programs will be funded.

"We want every director in the Cabinet, every division director to be part of it," Guinn said. "When we make decisions, we want them to be able to live with those decisions because some may have adverse effects on them."

Guinn asked representatives of the 17 Nevada counties to list services they could provide better than the state and offer suggestions on how to make the system more efficient and effective.

Guinn said, for example, funds for the Nevada Check-up program -- a program that ensures all Nevada children have medical insurance -- should be overseen by local governments, which are more familiar with their residents' needs.

He said he plans to completely do away with unmandated bills. Instead of funding a bill and forcing local jurisdictions to implement it, he said residents should be allowed to vote for it.

"Put it to a vote," he said. "If it's voted in, you have to spend it because people said they want you to spend it."

Guinn agreed that programs such as the flouridation of state's water supply should have been decided on a local level, rather than by the Legislature.

"Why does the Legislature spend time deciding on something for the county when it's the county's people that are subjected to it?" Guinn said.

The governor also touted his Millennium Scholarship program in which students who graduate from high school with a B average are eligible for a $2,500-a- year scholarship to Nevada university or a $1,250-a-year scholarship to community colleges.

Guinn said the program will boost economic development and more corporations will move into the state if the work force is better educated, he said.

"Let's stop talking about Silicon Valley until we have an educated work force," he said.

Guinn's comments were embraced by the crowd of more than 100 who attended one of the final events during the weeklong conference that is held annually in different cities throughout the state.

This week's conference also marked the end of Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates' term as president of the state association. Colleague Myrna Williams replaces Gates.