Reilly pitches elimination of recorder’s office

Monday, March 3, 2003 | 10:02 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A plan that could eliminate the office of Clark County Recorder Frances Deane when her term expires in four years is being pushed by County Manager Thom Reilly in the name of efficiency.

Reilly said the recorder is an "obscure office" and a duplication of services. Senate Bill 80 would allow the Clark County Commission to combine the duties of the recorder's office with those of the clerk.

Reilly told the Senate Government Affairs Committee on Friday that couples who want to get married must first go to the county clerk's office for the marriage license and then across town to get a certified copy of the license.

"They have to stand in two lines; it's a waste of their time," he said.

Dan Musgrove, a lobbyist for Clark County, said there could be a central repository for all records instead of having them stored in two different places.

The proposal is opposed by Deane, the Nevada County Fiscal Officers Association and a land surveyor.

A proposed constitutional amendment is also before the Assembly that would allow the Legislature to decide if county clerks, recorders, auditors, sheriffs, district attorneys and public administrators should be appointed instead of elected. Assembly Joint Resolution 1, which was approved by the special session of the Legislature in 2001, is before the Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

Deane was attending a national convention of recorders and was not present at the Friday hearing. But Jim Lamb, the administrative service manager in the office, said there has been improved efficiency in the office since January. He said the waiting time has been decreased from hours to 15 minutes.

A backlog of documents of 184 days has been trimmed to 113 days, and it should be eliminated by the end of the month, Lamb said. He urged the committee to allow Deane to continue in office.

Carson City Clerk-Recorder Alan Glover, representing the county fiscal officers organization, said the recorder's office is highly technical and said he doubted there could be savings. If the recorder was replaced, the county would probably have to hire a person at twice the salary to run the operation, he said.

He said Clark County could solve its problem with the marriage licenses by having them certified in the clerk's office.

Lucille Lusk, a lobbyist for Concerned Citizens, said the Legislature should not turn its power over to the County Commission to transfer the duties in these elective offices. And surveyor Terry McHenry said the recorder's office handles maps and other land records, prompting a need for technical knowledge.