Air quality panel approval delayed

Jeffrey Libby

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000 | 11:17 a.m.

Clark County commissioners put off approval Tuesday of the formation of an interim committee that would work to establish a regional air quality agency, citing concerns with process and financing.

Commissioner Erin Kenny, who has spearheaded plans to form the new agency, complained that administrators are "putting the cart before the horse." She wants to hire a director for the proposed agency first and allow that person to streamline the financing and structure of the new agency.

Commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Myrna Williams both complained that the plan puts too high a financial burden on Clark County.

Three cities and two other agencies also must approve the interlocal agreement. Those include the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson, the Clark County Health District and the Regional Transportation Commission.

Under the current plan, Clark County and the Clark County Health District would pay $55,000 each. The Regional Transportation Commission and three cities would pay $10,000 each.

A state-sponsored study in June revealed communications and administrative problems between the county and health district staffs responsible for establishing federally mandated air-pollution plans. Kenny recommended creating an independent agency.

Commissioners will revisit the issue in two weeks. Meanwhile, the Henderson City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the committee, with some reservations.

"Certainly air quality needs to be addressed," City Councilman Andy Hafen said, before sharing his misgivings over the possibly of creating only "another layer of government bureaucracy."

Mayor Jim Gibson said the transitional agency would spread Clark County responsibilities across the valley to the municipalities. After hearing that the Clark County Commissioners had delayed their vote on the agreement by two weeks, he emphasized that the county's role was key to the program's success. Sun reporter

Greg Harman contributed to this report.