Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Spending OK’d to staff ombudsman

CARSON CITY -- The Legislative Interim Finance Committee on Tuesday approved spending plans for a stepped-up program to resolve hundreds of complaints between residents and homeowners associations in Southern Nevada.

The state Real Estate Division will be able to hire six more people to add to the four-member staff in the Ombudsman's office.

Division Administrator Gail Anderson said the budget includes $150,000 to help offset the cost of mediation or arbitration services.

The homeowners associations will support the program by paying a year $3 per unit to the division.

The new law creates a five-member commission to set regulations and decide penalties. Anderson said she expected Gov. Kenny Guinn to name the commissioners soon.

The commission will also decide on the qualifications for community managers and may require them to pass an examination.

Testimony during the Legislature focused on money missing from homeowners associations, association members hiring relatives and other transgressions.

In other action, the committee:

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