Commission chairman sells interest in engineering firm

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004 | 8:51 a.m.

Clark County Commission Chairman Chip Maxfield announced Tuesday that he has sold his interest in a Las Vegas civil engineering firm.

Maxfield's part-ownership of the firm had forced him to abstain from some issues before the commission.

Maxfield, with partner Mark Jones, formed Southwest Engineering more than 18 years ago. The company has worked with some of the biggest development companies in Southern Nevada, but since 2002, when Maxfield replaced former commissioner Lance Malone, the Republican has had to abstain on issues affecting those same clients.

"I've sold all of my interest in the business and related properties to my partner," Maxfield said. "As of last Thursday, the deal is closed."

His abstentions have become a campaign club wielded by the Democratic candidate for Maxfield's seat on the commission. Jerry Tao, a Clark County deputy district attorney, has charged that Maxfield has missed 175 votes because of conflicts.

Tao took another shot after Maxfield made his announcement.

"The timing is interesting coming less than three months before election day," he said. "Two years ago, Chip voted against a proposed ethics rule that would have prohibited commissioners from having outside income that created conflicts, and Chip voted against it and was quoted as saying he couldn't afford to do it because it took food off his table.

"What's changed that he can afford to do it now?" Tao said. "Is it because he voted for a $15,000 pay raise for commissioners beginning this January?"

Maxfield and his six fellow commissioners unanimously voted in March 2001 to adopt new ethics rules for county department heads that force them to eliminate outside business interests. During the discussion on the issue, Commissioner Myrna Williams suggested applying the same rule to the commissioners.

However, that suggestion was never voted on, according to Clark County Administrative Services Director Don Burnette. The commission position "is a part-time job under statute," Burnette noted.

Maxfield, who supported new ethics rules governing commissioners and county staff implemented this spring, said he did not sell off his business interest because his political opponents are using his abstentions as an issue.

"This decision has absolutely nothing to do with my opponents and any of their views," he said. "It's been a long decision. It's a decision that I made with my family and one we're happy with.

"The current obligations with the commission and as the chair(man) are very time consuming," he said.

Maxfield said he is weighing other business ventures that could mean he will in the future have to abstain on other issues before the county.

"I don't know exactly what I want to do right now," he said. "I'm too young to retire.

"I have always disclosed (potential conflicts) and abstained when necessary," Maxfield said. "Anybody who's been in Vegas for any length of time is going to be subject to conflicts. I'll do the same thing and disclose those where appropriate."

Maxfield also said that he has no plans to abstain from votes involving Southwest Engineering.

"I have no financial interest or ties, or personal or professional obligations," he said. "If Southwest Engineering comes before the board it will be no different than any other engineer coming before the board."