Josh Reid’s contract with Henderson gets OK

The Henderson City Council on Tuesday in a 4-0 vote ratified a three-year employment contract with new city attorney Josh Reid, who will earn $190,000 a year.

Kathleen Vermillion abstained from the vote. She also abstained from voting when Reid was selected in a Nov. 29 meeting.

The salary is on par with the Las Vegas city attorney.

Human Resources Director Fred Horvath also said there were significant changes in Reid's contract compared with past agreements, such as leave time, PERS expense and provisions related to termination for cause.

He said Reid was "somewhat uncomfortable" signing the agreement with those changes.

Councilman Sam Bateman said he had concerns with city salaries in general, but he also said Reid's salary was on par with what other city attorneys earn.

Horvath said there is only a 10 to 12 percentage-point difference between the various city attorney positions in Henderson. Reid will make $5,000 more a year than does his top assistant.

The city attorney counsels elected officials, department heads and other boards and commissions on legal issues.

Reid will represent the city in judicial and administrative hearings in the civil law arena, and he will oversee city attorneys who prosecute traffic and misdemeanor violations in Henderson Municipal Court.

Reid starts work on Monday .

Reid could be terminated with cause if he is charged -- not convicted -- with a criminal misdemeanor offense. Previous contracts allowed for dismissal only for felony convictions.

Reid could be paid a vehicle allowance of $550 a month and would be entitled to automatic cost-of-living adjustments but only if the city reinstates those benefits.

City officials last year canceled the car allowance and cost-of-living adjustments as part of an overall cost-cutting effort.

Contact Doug McMurdo at dmcmurdo@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512.