Henderson revises agreement with Perkins, OKs $10,000 per month deal for one year

Henderson's new lobbyist should have no trouble finding his way around Carson City.

City Council members tonight signed off on a $10,000 per month contract for Assembly speaker turned lobbyist Richard Perkins.

The 47-year-old Perkins retired as Henderson Police Chief in September after 25 years with the department. A short time later, he launched his own public affairs firm called the Perkins Company.

Henderson is his first client. Shortly before tonight's meeting, Perkins' agreement with the city was revised from a two-year, $240,000 deal to a guaranteed one-year contract with an option for a one-year extension at the discretion of the city manager.

The revised contract was approved without discussion. Councilman Steve Kirk cast the only vote against the deal.

Perkins left the Legislature in 2006 after 14 years in office, the final six of them as speaker.

The lifelong Henderson resident now joins a lobbying team that includes two other private lobbyists and two city employees.

When the Legislature is not in session, Perkins will be called on to brief the City Council on new state laws, assist in dealing with other local governments, and work on federal legislation and grants that may be of interest to Henderson.