Keeping up with demand

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 | 2:07 a.m.

There was a time when it made sense to consider a Clark County Commission post a part-time job, giving members the ability to enjoy outside employment. This concept, mirroring the idea behind the citizen Nevada Legislature, was based on the idea that an elected official would better represent the people if he worked among them.

But the county’s rapid population growth over the past several decades brought with it complex urban problems that demanded more far-reaching government services and a greatly expanded budget. The complexities of county government have made it necessary to require service on the commission to be a full-time job so the problems the government faces get the attention they deserve.

That is why the Legislature should approve Senate Bill 11, sponsored by state Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, which would make the seven commission positions full-time beginning July 1. The only outside employment allowed would be temporary and part-time teaching at a university.

If the Senate approves the bill in a vote that could occur this week, it will go to the Assembly. If the bill dies, the losers will be county residents. They deserve the undivided attention of their elected officials, especially during these troubling economic times.

One of the benefits of having full-time commissioners is that such designation would reduce, if not eliminate, potential conflicts of interest based on outside employment. Now commissioners frequently must abstain from important votes because of real or perceived conflicts. Those abstentions rob their constituents of representation.

Also, Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, an advocate of full-time commissioners, has pointed out that the commission often leaves important decisions to advisory committees or political appointees. That’s what happens when commissioners hold outside jobs. Take that employment away and the commissioners would be able to devote more time to constituent service and long-range planning.

It’s a wonder the commissioners have been allowed to operate this long on a part-time basis.