County OKs review panel plan

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 | 11:04 a.m.

A committee assigned to conduct an organizational review of Clark County was approved Tuesday, but the plan -- and the list of names on the influential committee -- isn't without its skeptics.

Six community members, including lobbyists, financial analysts and public relations specialists were handpicked by new county manager Thom Reilly, who asked them to study the efficiency of some departments.

The 90-day study was promoted by commission chairman Dario Herrera, who conceded the county must show it is lean if it is to dodge another legislative proposal to storm county coffers in an attempt to balance the state's budget.

Whether major changes, such as combining departments and shifting staff to improve customer service, will actually occur depends on who is asked.

Frank Bupp, a consultant who specializes in corporate reorganization, said the likely results will be minor tinkering that will go virtually unnoticed. Critics believe the purpose of the project is to allow Reilly to weed out some department heads by simply following the committee's recommendations.

Bupp said by looking at the structure of the committee and its assignment, he believes members will conduct a brush-over budget review and return with the consensus that the county is operating efficiently. More specifically, he said, the findings will help fend off the state, which has passed a handful of its responsibilities to the county.

Reilly has emphasized repeatedly that his "Organizational and Resource Review Project" is simply a means to begin discussions with department heads about whether the county can improve services and, if so, how.

"This is not an end result, it's not intended to be a fundamental review of our government," Reilly said. "It's a beginning process to look at organizational issues."

Bupp's suspicions of the review committee peaked when members were named and Reilly announced that their meetings would be closed to the public.

To lead the committee, Reilly chose former Administrative Services Director Terry Murphy, who now spends a portion of her time protecting embattled Las Vegas City councilman Michael Mack from the media. Working alongside Murphy is former county Finance Director Guy Hobbs.

Bupp has questioned why former county employees who might have had a hand in putting the county in its current situation would be assigned to ensure efficiency.

"They're caught in the culture of government; that's why they're there because you always pick your friends," Bupp said. "It seems you would want an independent agent to come in."

Others assigned to the committee include Dale Erquiaga, who worked in the secretary of state's office and is now with R&R Advertising; former Chamber of Commerce President Bob Forbuss; lobbyist Rose McKinney-James and businessman Jeremy Aguero.

Critics have questioned the use of public relations specialists. Bupp said he wonders whether the county is concerned about how it comes off and argued that meetings should be open.

"Maybe they shouldn't be open to public participation, but public exposure," he said.

Reilly said Erquiaga was an ideal pick because of his experience in state government and public relations. Former county staff members, such as Hobbs and Murphy, are also important to the process, he said.

"They're part of our history," Reilly said. "Where we are and where we've been is important when we're thinking about where we want to go."