Lobbyist’s contracts stir debate on scrutiny

A routine renewal of a longtime lobbyist's contracts turned into a heated discussion among Clark County commissioners about how those who are paid handsomely to promote the county are seldom scrutinized.

Marcus Faust, a federal lobbyist, sought to have three county contracts renewed at a cost of $350,000 for a year.

Most commissioners acted ready to wave the renewal through with hardly a word until Commissioner Steve Sisolak objected sharply to how the county shells out almost $2 million yearly for lobbying, public relations, marketing and community outreach. Many of the hired guns are awarded lucrative contracts repeatedly without bidding or having to show what they've done to earn their pay, Sisolak argued.

"There's no transparency or openness in this process," Sisolak said. "It's offensive that we're spending that much money and there's no accountability. I don't know how we address this."

Sisolak complained that while the county was trimming services, freezing job vacancies and delaying projects, it was paying hefty sums to lobbyists. He discovered that most county agencies had a lobbyist, including the library and health districts.

Many lobbyists are rehired instead of vying for a contract, including Faust who has not bid since the county first hired him 17 years ago, Sisolak said. They are not formally reviewed, nor do they have to show receipts for reimbursed expenses, he said.

Commissioner Tom Collins, who thought Sisolak opposed Faust, defended the lobbyist. With revenue from tourism, gaming and lodging down, and federal stimulus money in the works, the county needs an experienced lobbyist in Washington, D.C., Collins said.

"This is not the time to change horses," Collins said. "I think Marcus Faust has done an outstanding job."

Several commissioners agreed that Faust has got good results for the county, though none mentioned specific accomplishments. They backed Sisolak's basic criticisms of the system.

Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said that although lobbyists are necessary, they must answer to the public.

"How do we properly make sure taxpayers' dollars are accounted for?" Giunchigliani asked.

Lobbyists should write reports of what they've accomplished, be evaluated like other employees and turn in receipts for reimbursements, she said. She also suggested standardizing the hodge-podge of contracts.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to renew Faust's contracts with the county and Water Reclamation District for six months instead of a year. Collins dissented.

Then they voted 6-1 to continue his contract with McCarran International Airport for a year at a cost of $200,000. Sisolak dissented.

Commissioner Lawrence Weekly praised Faust but said that it "raises eyebrows when you hear of this conglomeration of contracts that add up to a large amount of money."

Sisolak said he learned of at least one lobbyist who represents seven or eight different water districts in the state, which would be a conflict of interest if the districts were all competing for the same funds.

He also questioned how Faust could have expertise in so many fields, representing University Medical Center, the airport, the sewer district and the county.

Sisolak complained that most local entities were reluctant to give him information he requested. He couldn't get a straight answer about whether a firm that labeled its role as marketing or community outreach was really lobbying, he said.

Commissioner Larry Brown said the first step to getting a handle on the problem is making a list of all the lobbyists and the terms of their contracts. No county agency should ever stonewall a commissioner, he said.

"I do find it unacceptable that Mr. Sisolak ran into obstacles getting information," Brown said. "I find it offensive."

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