Clark County names interim director for family services

Tim Burch, director of the Clark County Department of Social Services, will serve as interim director for the county's child welfare system starting Monday.

Clark County Manager Don Burnette on Thursday sent an email to county commissioners saying Burch will lead the Clark County Department of Family Services while a national search for former director Lisa Ruiz-Lee's replacement is initiated.

"I have every confidence that (Burch) will be able to oversee the operations of the department while the recruitment process is underway," he wrote in his email.

Earlier this month, Ruiz-Lee announced that she was stepping from her position. She was appointed to the director's position in May 2012 by Burnette.

County officials praised her work. But tensions have been high between Ruiz-Lee and employees and began to simmer about a year ago over safety issues involving children, their families and employees.

Burch will begin transitioning to the interim position starting Monday and will be overlapping with Ruiz-Lee until she leaves, said Erik Pappa, Clark County spokesman. In 2014, Burch earned $166,633, which included annual salary and benefits, according to Transparent Nevada.

Contact Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3843. Find her on Twitter: @YeseniaAmaro.