County briefs for November 7, 2001

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001 | 9:28 a.m.

Clark County Manager Thom Reilly's reorganization plan, which includes consolidating departments and adding a new assistant county manager, was approved by the County Commission Tuesday.

Catherine Cortez-Masto was formally hired as Reilly's new assistant, and Patricia Marchese was named director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

The Human Resources Department will merge with Administrative Services. The General Services Department was eliminated and responsibilities were shifted to the finance division and Real Property Management.

Neighborhood Services, Animal Control, the Neighborhood Justice Center and Community Resources will become part of the Parks and Recreation division, which will eventually take on a new name.

$1.7 million lost in tourist revenue

Clark County Finance Director George Stevens offered a potentially bleak financial future if visitor rates of September and October continue for the next eight months.

The number of visitors dropped by 25 percent to 370,000 in September; hotel occupancy rates were down from 86 percent to 65 percent and daily room rates were lowered an average of 34 percent.

Stevens said the county has suffered $1.7 million in tourism-related revenues.

"If our current rate continues, we'll lose in excess of $20 million over one year, which wipes out our entire surplus," Stevens said.