Bill would target pay of elected county officials

CARSON CITY -- County government officials could be given power to determine their own salaries under a bill being drawn up for state Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas.

The measure will be reviewed in next year's Legislature. Lee said Wednesday that he wants the Legislature to give up its authority to set salaries for county elected officials. Salaries are reviewed by legislators every four years, and lawmakers again are scheduled to consider changes in 2011.

He believes in giving counties more "home rule," letting them set salaries. They would have to answer to voters if salaries were boosted too much, Lee said.

The Legislature sets county officials salaries by law, Lee said, but it does not have the same power over city officials.

"I can't set the salary of the mayor of North Las Vegas," he said. "We shouldn't be micromanaging the counties."

Under the salary schedule set in 2007, the Clark County assessor, recorder, clerk, treasurer and public administrator each receive $106,560 per year. The county sheriff receives $156,983 and the district attorney, $182,100.

Lesser salaries are paid to elected officials in other counties.

A 2003 law lets county commissioners set their own pay, but limits their maximum salaries. Under that law, Clark County commissioners could pay themselves a maximum of $80,000 during the current fiscal year. But rather than increasing their pay, commissioners voted in June to keep their salaries at $73,971 during the fiscal year that began July 1. They also did not vote themselves a salary increase in 2009.

Another law allows county elected officers to receive 2 percent a year longevity pay increases after they have had their positions for at least four years.

Although details of his proposal have not yet been fleshed out, Lee said, there should be a debate on whether each county commission should set salaries for all county elected officials, or whether an independent salary commission should be created to set them.

Lee said the Legislature should consider ending longevity pay.

Because county commissions could have disagreements with the district attorney or sheriff, Lee said, he is inclined to let an independent board set salaries. Although Lee said he has not heard any talk about reducing county elected officials' salaries, he added that might be a consideration.

Lee chairs the Senate Government Affairs Committee, which would hear salary bills. He also chaired an interim legislative Committee to Study the Powers Dedicated to Local Governments, which reviewed home rule.