Commissioners change proposed ethics standards

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, March 7, 2001 | 11:08 a.m.

A proposal to require department heads to file financial disclosure forms and devest business interests was diluted Tuesday after Clark County commissioners decided they didn't want to follow the same rules.

Under the county's amended ethics standards, division managers with decision-making authority must only submit disclosure forms.

Board members shunned Commissioner Myrna Williams' suggestion that if the initial proposal that included devesting was approved, they should impose the same standards on themselves.

"I see no reason not to include us," Williams said. "It shows the public in terms of perception what we're trying to do is be open and honest."

The debate over whether commissioners should also be required to shed business interests led to a question that has long dogged the board: Should the commission overseeing a valley populated by 1.4 million be full-time?

Board members opposed to the original amendment argued that their jobs are different than that of a department head.

For example, managers are fulltime; commissioners are parttime. Most board members hold second jobs to supplement their $54,000 annual salary. If commissioners are involved in conflicts, they must abstain in a public forum and can be voted out of office.

"Some people think this is a black and white issue," Commissioner Erin Kenny said. "It's not; there are shades of gray."

Commissioner Chip Maxfield, a part owner of Southwest Engineering, said if board members were held to the same standards recommended for department heads he would have to leave his post.

"I believe this is a public service," Maxfield said of his job as commissioner. "I'm not willing to give up what puts food on the table for my family."

Maxfield isn't the only commissioner who would have to make that choice; Mary Kincaid owns a flower shop in North Las Vegas.

Maxfield questioned why the commission would consider such an amendment if the county has never encountered conflicts of interest involving county staff members.

The request was made by commission Chairman Dario Herrera after he witnessed Las Vegas City Hall's most recent controversy. City deputy planning director Bob Genzer's promotion to director was delayed after council members learned he had a minority interest in property owned by developer Randy Black.

Despite protests from his fellow board members, Herrera -- in a move seen by some as political posturing for his bid for Congress -- quickly motioned to approve the amendment in its original form.

Herrera said while he trusts county administrators, they cannot keep track of all managers' business interests.

After scurrying to discuss alternatives to Herrera's motion with fellow board members, Kenny offered a "friendly amendment," which was ultimately passed 7-0.