Clark County Council faces public backlash over light rail policy changes

The Clark County Council convened on March 26, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including updates on compliance issues and public comments regarding council attendance and representation.

The meeting began with a report on the recent ruling by the Court of Appeals, which found that Clark County is currently out of compliance with certain regulations. This ruling reaffirmed a previous order of invalidity concerning the county's actions. The council noted that discussions regarding the repeal of this order are scheduled for the planning commission work session on April 3.

Following this, the council addressed a minor clerical issue regarding the agenda. It was clarified that the agenda item labeled 5.1 pertains to the Cholachee Bluff discussion, while item 5.2 relates to an amendment. This discrepancy was acknowledged, and the council confirmed that the correct information is available online.

Public comments were then invited, with several residents expressing their views. Mark Moore, a new resident of downtown Clark County, spoke in defense of Councilor Michelle Belcott, whose attendance record had been criticized. Moore emphasized that it is not the responsibility of any council member to ensure their alternate's presence at meetings, urging the council to conduct a comprehensive review of attendance records for all members to address what he termed a "false narrative."

Kurt Van Gelder, another resident, voiced concerns about the council's perceived disregard for public input, particularly regarding policies related to light rail. He referenced constitutional provisions, asserting that the council must uphold the rights of the people and respect their opposition to certain initiatives. Van Gelder warned that any policies infringing on these rights could lead to calls for recall of elected officials.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the importance of public representation and the council's duty to listen to constituents. The council is expected to continue addressing these issues in future sessions, with a focus on compliance and community engagement.