County sets open forum to discuss recorder’s problems

Adrienne Packer

Monday, Oct. 2, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

Title companies, union members and the Clark County recorder are expected to meet in public for the first time Tuesday, bringing a year of clashes into an open forum.

Troubles in Recorder Judith Vandever's office recently were brought to the Clark County Commission's attention, prompting board member Dario Herrera to look into the division's employment practices and relationships with businesses.

Herrera initially asked for a closed-door personnel meeting but instead placed an item on Tuesday's commission agenda, asking for a report from county administrators.

"Rather than have discussions behind closed doors, we'll have them in an open forum where people can have their concerns addressed in some way, shape or form," Herrera said.

Since Vandever took office in January 1995, more than 30 employees or managers have quit, been transferred or have been fired. The workers are members of the Nevada Service Employees Union/SEIU Local 1107.

The situation in the recorder's office has frustrated county officials. The employees in the division are county staff members, but because Vandever is an elected official, human resources can do little to protect them.

The firing of Assistant Recorder Colleen Lamuraglia last month pushed the turmoil of the office into the public arena. Lamuraglia was fired after she asked for maternity leave and time off to fulfill her reserve military duty.

While Vandever said Lamuraglia's firing was "performance-based," county officials had their concerns. A week later, after a meeting between Vandever and the district attorney's office, Lamuraglia was rehired.

Like county administrators, commissioners have little authority over departments led by elected officials. The board does have say over the budgets of those divisions, which also include the treasurer, assessor, district attorney and clerk.

But Herrera said his office has received so many complaints, he was inclined to take a look at the recorder's office.

Representatives of title companies that have had difficulty working with Vandever, as well as the union, which is frustrated with the county, plan to attend Tuesday's commission meeting.

"We really want to gain a better understanding of what options we have as a board," Herrera said. "This specifically emanates from concerns from the recorder's office. My office has received a number of phone calls from former employees, current employees and people who deal directly with the recorder."

Some of the complaints are about the 16 hours of mandatory overtime employees must work each month.