1999 Legislature second costliest in history

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999 | 10:30 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Even though the 1999 Legislature was limited to 120 days, it turned out to be the second costliest in Nevada history.

John McCormick, chief accountant for the Legislature, reported Monday it cost $11.1 million to run the session, which started in February and ended May 31. That's 26.6 percent below the $15 million of the 1997 Legislature, which lasted 169 days.

The cost per day averaged $91,666, compared to $89,137 in 1997.

Still the $11.1 million reversed the cycle of fast-rising costs of a Legislature. In 1993 the 166-day session cost $8.4 million and rose to $10.8 million in 1995, a 27.4 percent increase. The price tag jumped by 39 percent from 1995 to 1997.

Voters in 1998 approved a constitutional amendment limiting the session to 120 days, and the 1999 Legislature was the first to work under the restriction.

McCormick reported the results to the Legislative Commission, which received an independent financial statement of the Legislature from the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

The audit shows the pay to lawmakers is only a small part of the total session. McCormick is still working on a breakdown of the costs for the 1999 session.

But in 1997 legislators salaries accounted for $499,400. The big cost was $2.8 million for salaries of support staff. McCormick said that was due to the decision to hire a secretary for each lawmaker, rather than using a pool of clerical help.

Overtime pay in 1997 reached $2.3 million. McCormick said that was due in part to the opening of the Legislature on Martin Luther King Day, a state holiday, which required overtime. Overtime was also paid on President's Day in February.

The audit of the legislative fund found few discrepancies. Deloitte & Touche suggested that to save costs, the Legislature use purchase discounts from vendors.

It also said the internal control over money could be improved. At present, there is one employee who receives the cash, records it and deposits the money in the bank. The audit suggested there be a separate person doing the bank deposits as a check and balance.

McCormick told the lawmakers, "It's a clean audit."