Commissioners could name CFO as next Clark County manager

By Jackie Valley

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 | 1:31 p.m.

Clark County’s next manager could be its chief financial officer.

The County Commission will consider appointing Yolanda King as the next county manager at its Sept. 20 meeting.

King, who began working for the county as a part-time employee in 1986, serves a dual role as CFO and an assistant county manager.

Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak has requested King’s potential appointment be included as an agenda item for the next board meeting. He sent an email to colleagues Tuesday informing them of the request.

“While I very much wanted to talk to you all about Yolanda before requesting an agenda item, the open meeting law obviously prevents me from doing that,” he wrote in the email. “In any event, I have a great deal of confidence in Yolanda and her ability to lead this county going forward.”

Last month, County Manager Don Burnette announced plans to step down after the general election in November.

Sticking with the county’s desire to promote from within, Sisolak said he interviewed three internal candidates to fill the upcoming vacancy. King seemed like the best fit, Sisolak said, although he noted that fellow commissioners could pitch other candidates.

“She has a grasp of the issues,” Sisolak said today. “I’m comfortable she will be able to take the reins.”

King was appointed CFO in January 2014 but maintained her responsibilities as an assistant county manager. She previously served as the county’s director of budget and financial planning.

Burnette, who hasn’t chosen an official departure date, said he supports King.

“I love Yolanda,” he said. “I think she would do an amazing job. I have a lot of confidence in her.”

If commissioners appoint King county manager, the next step would be to approve an employment agreement for her.

King has bachelor’s degrees in accounting and management information systems from UNLV and a master of business administration from the University of Phoenix.