Manning retires as county Public Works director

Stephen Curran

Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | 9:25 a.m.

The Clark County Commission on Tuesday bid farewell to outgoing Public Works director Marty Manning, who plans to retire July 15.

Commissioners awarded Manning, 67, a proclamation praising his 19 years working for the county and approved a measure naming a bridge at Interstate 215 and Town Center Drive after him.

Manning joined the county ranks in 1986 after working as deputy director of public works in Houston, overseeing that city's water, sanitary wastewater, gas power and utilities. He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and a master's in public works from the University of Pittsburgh.

Commission Chairman Rory Reid praised Manning's long work for the county.

"We can talk about lofty things but we need people like Marty to get them done," Reid said.

Manning said only "this is Marty Manning, your public works director," a phrase he regularly repeats at commission meetings, after standing with the commissioners. He was unavailable for comment Tuesday afternoon, public works spokesman Bobby Shelton said.

County officials expect to begin reviewing what could be hundreds of applications for Manning's job later this week, Assistant County Manager Rick Holmes said. The process is expected to take up to three months, during which time Public Works Deputy Director Denis Sederburg will oversee the department, he said.

Salary estimates for the position begin at $146,000 a year. Manning, who receives a $400-a-month car allowance and was given a one-time "longevity bonus" of $15,826 in September, earned about $166,000.

During Tuesday's meeting, Commissioner Bruce Woodbury noted that Manning earned $64,000 a year when he started in 1986.

In his 19-year tenure, Manning has overseen construction of the 53-mile, $900 million Las Vegas Beltway, which is expected to form a half-circle around the western half of the valley before connecting with I-15.