Clark County CFO could be named next county manager

Yolanda King could be named Clark County’s next chief executive officer this month.

County commissioners will discuss appointing their current chief financial officer, who has worked 30 years with the county, to the post at their Sept. 20 meeting.

In an email sent to commissioners and management staff Tuesday, commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said he requested the discussion be placed on the meeting’s agenda.

“I have a great deal of confidence in Yolanda and her ability to lead this County going forward,” he wrote.

King could not be reached for comment Thursday.

In August, County Manager Don Burnette announced plans to resign sometime after the Nov. 8 general election. Burnette, 51, has held the position since 2011.

King, 48, serves as both CFO and an assistant county manager. She supervises more than 1,000 employees, oversees the county’s $6.2 billion annual budget, and leads the county’s lobbying efforts during the Nevada legislative session.

Her career with the county began in 1986 as a part-time parking toll collector at McCarran International Airport.

Since then she has worked as a financial analyst, budget manager and director of budget and financial planning, among other county positions. She was appointed CFO in January 2014.

“I think she’s a strong-willed individual,” Sisolak said. “She’s a very quick learner.”

King holds a dual bachelor’s degree in accounting and management information systems from UNLV. She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

Two other internal candidates have expressed interest in the county manager job: Assistant County Manager Randy Tarr and Director of Comprehensive Planning Nancy Amundsen.

County spokesman Erik Pappa said Thursday that no other commissioners had requested any other candidates’ names be placed on the agenda for discussion Sept. 20.

Commissioners could vote to appoint King at the meeting. However a contract would need to be negotiated and brought back for the commission’s approval.

Such a document would include the new county manager’s official start date. Burnette has yet to name a specific date for his resignation.

Contact Michael Scott Davidson at sdavidson@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861. Follow @davidsonlvrj on Twitter.