Clark County manager opts against raise for second year

Virginia Valentine guided Clark County through the most financially stormy years in memory.

The county manager was rewarded Tuesday with mostly positive reviews from commissioners during her evaluation and no salary increase.

She chose to forgo a pay raise, just as she told all the managers under her to do in the face of an economic slump. It was the second year in a row she froze her own salary at about $206,000.

Valentine reeled off a list of cost-cutting measures she imposed to offset a $113 million revenue shortfall combined with the state's $180.5 million grab over two years.

The "cost containment" included leaving 615 jobs vacant, keeping the low-level offenders' jail closed for a year and ordering all departments to trim their costs by 5 percent.

"It's a very challenging time," said Valentine, who became county manager three years ago.

Although she heads the state's largest local government, Valentine earns less than Henderson City Manager Mark Calhoun, $225,000; Regional Transportation Commission Manager Jacob Snow, $229,000; and Regional Flood Control District General Manager Gale Fraser, $210,000.

Commissioners praised Valentine as an able leader, but they all agreed she must improve communication between staff and the County Commission.

"Staff needs to make a recommendation without fear of reprisal," Commissioner Rory Reid said.

Commissioner Lawrence Weekly applauded her for dealing with seven different personalities on the board. Still, she must keep commissioners in the loop, he said, adding that he dislikes learning about the county's internal decisions from news outlets.

Commissioner Larry Brown said she and her department heads should be more assertive.

"Staff has to step up," Brown said. "They're the experts."

Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.