Clark County manager stepping down later this year

By Jackie Valley

Published Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 | 3:55 p.m.

Updated Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 | 6:49 p.m.

Clark County Manager Don Burnette announced plans today to leave his post sometime later this year, ending a 26-year career with the county.

Burnette sent an email to the Clark County Commission members this afternoon alerting them of his intent to depart, despite uncertain plans.

“I have no idea what I’ll be doing after I leave the County, but after 26 years of working in the County Manager’s Office I believe it’s time for me to do something different,” Burnette wrote. “While I don’t have a separation date as of yet, I want to assure you that I am committed to staying through the general election to support our election team.”

Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said Burnette — whom he called an “incredible asset” to the county — was nearing maximum pension benefits, which factored into his decision to step down. Burnette was appointed county manager in 2011 but has worked for the county since 1990.

He steadily rose through the ranks before becoming county manager, widely considered the most powerful appointed position in Southern Nevada.

“He managed to keep the ship sailing through some turbulent waters,” Sisolak said, referring to the recession and its ripple effects across the region. “He was very hands on. It seemed like he knew everybody.”

As county manager, Burnette oversees the county’s budget, employees and dozens of departments, including McCarran International Airport and University Medical Center. Plus, the Las Vegas Strip — the region’s main economic engine — sits in unincorporated Clark County.

Given the scope of his responsibilities, the job demands attention seven days a week, which leads to many county managers moving on after four or five years, officials said.

“After a period of time, it’s just a lot of pressure,” said Thom Reilly, a former Clark County manager who now serves as director of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University. “It’s a challenge to balance the needs of the community, employees, elected officials. It’s a pretty enormous task.”

Commissioner Susan Brager said Burnette was an effective leader and managed the pressures well — all traits his elected county peers will miss.

“I would hope the future is great for him,” Brager said. “This is his choice, not ours.”

In his email to commissioners, Burnette said he will confirm his exact departure date in the coming weeks so the county can begin the process of finding a successor. Burnette could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

“The County is a very special place for me and I will always cherish the memories of my time here,” he wrote.

Sisolak and Brager said they would prefer to replace Burnette with an existing county employee rather than searching for someone outside the market.

As for where Burnette lands next, that’s anyone’s guess, but Reilly predicts his options will be plentiful given the vast amount of knowledge county managers acquire.

“He will be sought after. There’s no question about it,” Reilly said. “He probably needs some rest first.”