Former recorder drops claim for sick pay

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003 | 10:59 a.m.

Former Clark County Recorder Judith Vandever has dropped her claim for several years' worth of past sick pay, a claim that some county officials said could not be reconciled with months of medical leave Vandever took last year.

Vandever, who did not run for re-election last November, claimed she never took a sick day in eight years, and under county rules could be paid for that time. As recorder, she told the Clark County Commission and county officials that for months she suffered serious health problems and could not regularly come to her office at the county's government building.

Vandever has said she worked from home and thus was entitled to pay for sick days she never took. The former recorder asked for more than $19,000. Her base pay was $72,000.

"Although I based my original request on the attendance laws for elected officials and past county precedence, I choose to remove myself from the battle being waged in the newspapers by the county," Vandever said in a letter to county management.

Vandever, who did not return phone calls to her home, has said she fully participated in the management of the recorder's office from her home. The office plays the key role at the county for recording deeds, marriage certificates and other essential documents.

"Recorder management staff, the county personnel department and assistant county manager's office can all attest to the fact that I was actively involved in the day-to-day running of the office," she wrote.

Not everyone, however, agrees with that assessment. Union officials said they had difficulty arranging meetings with her over frequent personnel issues in the recorder's office.

Some Clark County Commissioners, including former Commission Chairman Dario Herrera, were unhappy with Vandever's attendance record.

County Manager Thom Reilly said his office probably would have opposed granting the full amount of back sick pay based on the public statements that Vandever made regarding her illnesses.

Vandever's withdrawal of the claim came as a surprise, he said.

"We're going to honor her request and there will be no payout," Reilly said.

If Vandever had pressed her claim, the commission would have had to make a decision on whether to grant the back pay for unused sick time, Reilly said.

The issue has opened the door for a larger discussion of which elected officials get paid for unused sick time, he said, and whether that policy is appropriate. Reilly said the commission is tentatively scheduled to discuss the policies Feb. 4.