Editorial: Seek input on council expansion

The timing seems perfect today to debate the merits of expanding the Las Vegas City Council. Las Vegas remains one of the fastest-growing cities in America heading into the 21st century, and its residents deserve the best representation possible.

This week, the City Council unanimously voted to place a question on this spring's municipal ballot seeking approval from the voters to expand the council from four to six wards. That's in addition to the mayor who sits on the council but is elected city-wide. A special Council Review Committee, which had been studying the issue since October, recommended the expansion to better serve city residents.

Although it doesn't seem necessary, we understand why the council is calling for a vote of the people. The two extra seats will cost taxpayers $573,240 more a year, but in our judgment the voters are likely to find that is a fair price if it means better access to their elected officials.

The proposed ballot question comes as state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, plan to push legislation in Carson City to force the council to add two seats. Neal and Williams believe the expansion will give minorities a better chance to get elected to the council. We agree, and we think voters in Las Vegas should give this ballot question strong consideration.

The Review Committee also recommended raising the part-time salaries of council members from $36,900 to $48,600. The mayor's salary, it was suggested, should be upped from $48,527 to $63,900. City Council members have authority to grant themselves the pay hikes. But such increases only would take effect after the next election for each member.

We believe council members would be wise to give the public a chance to have input in a vote to raise their salaries. That means bringing the matter before the voters this year on a separate ballot question. You never lose when you include the taxpayers in a decision-making process that involves spending their money.

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