Health board OKs transfer of staff to new department

Thursday, July 26, 2001 | 11:15 a.m.

The Clark County District Board of Health today approved a transfer of its staffing to the new Clark County Air Quality Department, a move that effectively makes the county the sole air quality agency for the region.

Opponents to the transfer among the cities said their sole hope to change the policy is with Gov. Kenny Guinn, who early this month named the Clark County Commission as the agency with responsibility for air quality.

Representatives from the cities and others will meet with Guinn on Monday.

Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese joined every other health board member in supporting the transfer, but said he did so only to give health district air quality employees some confidence that they will have jobs after Aug. 7, the day the county would formally assume the new responsibilities.

He said the issue isn't closed, however.

"Hopefully, the governor will listen to us," Reese said. "I definitely think we need to have some sort of oversight."

Officials from the area's cities fear that the county's oversight on air quality will undermine their independence. The new board agency will have significant long-term impacts on land-use and transportation policies throughout Southern Nevada, they agree.

Representatives from the cities, including Reese and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, say they want an air quality board with regional representation.

But Don Burnett, Clark County administrative services director, said state law limits the role such a regional board can have over air quality.

Nevada statutes say the Clark County commissioners, the health district or a county department of health -- which doesn't exist -- are the ultimate policy- makers for air quality. Only if those local entities fail would the responsibilities go to the Nevada Environmental Commission.

And that hasn't happened, said Phil Rosenquist, Clark County assistant planning director. Rosenquist and Burnett attended the health board meeting.

Although those from the cities are hoping to that the governor will change his mind, there hasn't been any indication that an abrupt reversal is likely, Rosenquist said.

Guinn and his staff have said only that they will attend next week's meeting with an open mind.