Henderson City Council extends appointed employee contracts

The Henderson City Council approved contract extensions Tuesday for the three employees it appoints: city manager, city attorney and city clerk.

All three employment agreements were extended through July 2017.

Only City Attorney Josh Reid will receive a raise with his new contract.

His annual salary will increase from about $199,000 to $205,000.

“I think Josh deserves it, and more,” City Manager Jacob Snow said.

Snow said the increase helps bring Reid’s salary in line with the salaries of city attorneys in other jurisdictions.

“I hope we can keep Josh,” the city manager said. “He certainly has a track record of making more money in the private sector. The combination of skills and experience he brings have been invaluable to the city, in my opinion.”

The City Council gave Reid a glowing performance evaluation in September, when Councilwoman Debra March said she looked forward “to keeping him for a longtime.”

Reid, the son of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, was a controversial choice when the council appointed him in December 2011.

Critics contended the council hired Josh Reid as a favor to his father after lowering standards to help the younger Reid qualify for the job. He was given a three-year contract at the time.

Snow was appointed in April 2012, and City Clerk Sabrina Mercadante was appointed in September 2010.

Both Snow and Mercadante, who were under three-year contracts, received favorable evaluations from the council on Oct. 1.

According to background information provided with Tuesday’s agenda item, Mayor Andy Hafen asked the human resources department to look at extending the appointed positions contracts “to provide stability and assurance as an incentive.”

Snow receives $225,000 a year, and Mercadante receives $170,000 a year.

INTENT TO SELL

The council adopted a resolution Tuesday expressing the city’s intent to sell nearly 32 acres at the northwest corner of Mission and College drives.

City spokesman Bud Cranor said two developers have expressed an interest in purchasing the property — one for a commercial project and one for a residential project.

A public auction will be held at the Jan. 7 council meeting, and the minimum acceptable bid will be $9.49 million.

PROVIDING SHADE

As part of a plan to provide shade at all Henderson parks, the City Council awarded a $56,000 contract for the installation of shade structures over the playgrounds at Vivaldi Park and Sonata Park.

The contract was awarded to USA Shade and Fabric Structures of Las Vegas.

The council also augmented the project budget to include $6,000 in contingency funds.

Vivaldi Park is located at 1249 Seven Hills Drive, at Nestled Peak Drive, and Sonata Park is located 1550 Seven Hills Drive, at Arbella Way.

Contact Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710. Follow @CarriGeer on Twitter.