Panel approves changes to NLV Council

Wednesday, April 6, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.

An Assembly committee backed legislation Tuesday that would change how North Las Vegas voters elect their City Council members.

The Government Affairs Committee voted 9-2 in favor of Assembly Bill 197 that would have council members elected by voters in their wards, rather than at large by the full city population. There were two abstentions for the measure that now goes to the full Assembly.

One of the sponsors, Assemblyman Kelvin Atkinson, D-North Las Vegas, said the bill has the backing of 40 of 42 Assembly members and 16 of 21 Senators.

The push by state lawmakers to revamp the voting system comes over the objections of North Las Vegas council members. They contend the existing system works well and are upset with the outside interference.

"I believe the citizens are better served by having the council members represent all the citizens and not just those who live in their district or ward," Councilwoman Shari Buck said. "When you are accountable for the whole city, you make sure the whole city is taking care of and not just a particular area."

Six years ago the Legislature, responding to critics who said most council members lived in the same area, created wards requiring the four council members live in a separate district. The mayor can live anywhere in the city.

Democratic Assembly members who represent North Las Vegas, however, said more change is needed because parks, a library and other amenities are still going to newer developments in the city such as Aliante at the expense of older parts of the community.

Assemblyman Bob McCleary, D-North Las Vegas, who lives in an older section of the city, said the existing ward system isn't working because newer developed areas in the northwest are dominating the political landscape by voting in much greater numbers.

"We still have one neighborhood dominating the entire city," McCleary said.

Buck dismisses suggestions that one part of the community is dominating the rest. She said the city's growth is adding a lot of new voters to the rolls, but she said she doesn't understand how electing people by districts will change voting habits.

McCleary said he's represented by Councilman William Robinson, who he said is doing a good job. But McCleary said even Robinson must bow to pressure from voters in the northwest part of the city and keep them happy if he wants to get reelected.

Robinson couldn't be reached for comment.

City officials said developers are paying for improvements in newer areas and that North Las Vegas has a balanced approach for doling out capital projects within the community.

Buck said the city has put a lot of money into redevelopment and improving older parks and streets. Having districts may prompt money be divided among political boundaries, she said.

"I don't believe what they are saying is true. The money and attention goes to where the greatest need is in the city," Buck said.

North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon called the legislation unfair and questions why lawmakers are singling out his city. He questioned why Henderson and other communities aren't required to do the same. Like North Las Vegas, Henderson has wards but council members are elected by the city as a whole. Las Vegas council members are elected by ward voters. Boulder City has no wards.

Voters should at least get a say on enacting a new system, city officials said.

McCleary said he's not aware of any problems in Henderson that require a similar system in that city. He said he doesn't want to put the matter before North Las Vegas voters because residents in the newer developments won't curtail the power they now have.

"Just because older areas don't vote in greater numbers doesn't mean they deserve any less representation," McCleary said.

Atkinson has denied speculation that he is pushing the bill because he wants to create wards were racial minorities dominate.

Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, said council members had six years to put a measure on the ballot if they were so worried about the city's voters having a say in the process. Kirpatrick disputes assessments from council members that residents are happy with the performance of their city government.

"That's not what I'm hearing when I walk door-to-door," Kirkpatrick said. "I have to go for my constituents."

The Government Affairs Committee members to oppose the bill were Tom Grady, R-Yerington, and Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City.

Hardy said the issue should be decided by North Las Vegas in November 2006 instead of by lawmakers in Carson City. He also said he likes the existing system.

"I like council members looking at the city as a whole instead of bickering over parks," Hardy said. "Sometimes when you have the spirit of competition, with one ward to the other, you lose the spirit of cooperation."

If enacted by lawmakers, the new voting system would be in place for the 2007 council races rather than this year as initially called for in the legislation.