[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6140842,"mediaKeyId","5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c","parentId",5577263,"title","Council renews independent-contractor agreement for Mesquite public defender Steven Dixon","audioSeconds",78,"startMs",2655000,"endMs",2733000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c&start=2655&end=2733","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c/thumbnail_2655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140842/Mesquite/Clark-County/Nevada/Council-renews-independent-contractor-agreement-for-Mesquite-public-defender-Steven-Dixon","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140842-ef14d48ef35205fff72b8a2efac05221/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091326&Signature=Tz2YkK8qIIyHaeD-0io9oNrVWIOj9dICpezg5gex-9idsLJrnOl0c2pKudgjKxmuRElTSfl5sPWw3VL3iWt1536vNuiQAUkRebwWW-ol7EDsGReb6loyzjQ4sDilny8ISPITMXwWehClJCPsCLT8Qsnmk00VPvvN4C8lT7SIWjIOgvAIBE2n3XmaJAFwBdi~kPYu2KT5UTv6UXUmfA4LSCQmVa2xpk803UPUtGSur8Ru6UKd3tqwGU88RyzsFW2Se6oCBouLh6ytp~i5doqVA8L7CHldg7JZgkPc4WHliuOPaB5MHyW1T7lvPxLuUu--ElfM22AyKhnp6mil5z2eLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Mesquite, NV","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Mesquite City Council approved an independent-contractor agreement to continue Steven Dixon as the city’s public defender, effective July 1, during its June 24 meeting.

Interim city manager Martine Green noted the item required council approval because the contract amount exceeds the city manager’s signing authority and the city attorney cannot process the contract because he is the prosecutor. Green told the council Dixon has been “doing a really good job” and that the contract is an annual renewal with the same amount and terms as prior years.

Councilwoman Fielding asked how long Dixon has served; Green said this would be his fourth year. Councilman Ennis moved to approve the contract, Councilwoman Gallo seconded, and the council voted to approve the renewal.

The action continues the existing independent-contractor arrangement; the agreement’s financial terms were not changed in the meeting record and no additional programmatic changes were discussed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mesquite City Council Meeting Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved an annual renewal of the independent-contractor agreement for the city’s public defender, identified on the agenda as Steven Dixon; city staff said the contract amount and terms remain unchanged and that Dixon has served the city for four years.","taxTitle","Mesquite, Clark County, Nevada","taxId",63506,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6140847,"Clark County School District reports improved Virgin Valley graduation rate but flags rising absenteeism and suspensions",273,1169000,1442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c&start=1169&end=1442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c/thumbnail_1169000.jpg","/articles/6140847/Mesquite/Clark-County/Nevada/Clark-County-School-District-reports-improved-Virgin-Valley-graduation-rate-but-flags-rising-absenteeism-and-suspensions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140847-10bc2572fbcf5b24c053fbebfe595638/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091326&Signature=XHhnW3DuWYJ0e7phPofa7eF1z1afermS8tMyv8yaluIDcKsC7nni6NWdDU5gF6mSTXH~ueFIFINIMb0tIBWXhmTZ6KtamFPcrMZgLlchQ-PUY-fwEGMMlD~gcdYzxhDAz71-PvWKUcxjunli9uFkXUhf0CPog3H-8SHmWDw03BT5JXQbzJHleN~e9e-n4VSndG0F3XF4itErUs9tDlT~qiyAOnYxfyoCQjvOv~qYt3FNRCM9YsQ4mXp~gGH48loypcOg-uHUXL8yNaQp-s-iQArtq3s5iP1NPPpac6aSZzOlpgCEZoa9F0qL5YSfFF8DGBHAC6rUQH9eLyimKGfFPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maurice Perkins, associate superintendent for the Clark County School District, gave a quarterly update to the Mesquite City Council on June 24 covering graduation rates, coursework access, attendance and discipline.

Perkins said Virgin Valley High School’s graduation rate rose from 80% to 91.6% over the past year, the highest growth among municipalities in the district. He also said graduation rates for students eligible for special education improved by 15.4 percentage points, and that middle-school participation in advanced coursework increased by 27.6% compared with two years earlier.

At the same time Perkins said chronic absenteeism rose from 21.6% to 24.2% in the first semester of the 2024–25 school year and affected all student groups. He also reported that suspensions have more than doubled in the last two years, with noticeable increases among students eligible for special education, English-language learners and Hispanic/Latino students. Perkins said discretionary expulsions remain very low (fewer than 10 students within any subgroup).

Perkins reminded the council that on Nov. 25, 2024 the district received a compliance notice related to providing timely and accurate information for school plans of operation and that the district is working with a compliance monitor appointed by the Nevada Department of Education. He said the district is implementing a process improvement plan and providing updates to the board of school trustees.

Perkins closed with a list of celebrations from Virgin Valley-area schools, including student awards, extracurricular achievements and the Virgin Valley High School boys volleyball team winning a state championship.","A Clark County School District associate superintendent told the Mesquite City Council that Virgin Valley High School’s graduation rate rose to 91.6%, but chronic absenteeism and suspensions have increased and the district remains under a state compliance monitor.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6140851,"Council hears public support for interim Police Chief Fales after police-chief item pulled",164,2878000,3042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c&start=2878&end=3042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c/thumbnail_2878000.jpg","/articles/6140851/Mesquite/Clark-County/Nevada/Council-hears-public-support-for-interim-Police-Chief-Fales-after-police-chief-item-pulled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140851-df8522248afbb75d533ae357cbf85024/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091326&Signature=LiIZxzdmPtBdTW8eNgJVZjrAbiTkTKdjkdvjufHzhHSPGe9EEcByAJkibaScGc0YXW3ump06754NH1FntOTF-T1Cw8i2bxwoIsS4LJbcNmdUkGQKAKV6JvMkcgrkJAB3LtJ5UsICBAtUVEQGDBRNWAIwvGwcml3W9ALr3-kNzu0LjE3tm4ad7dj9Q1~EZCTVjDSY1EdDzE5keShQQKN2~SeF-IcnHZAMFTB1f97XURi3PxSNGK8iOW2pNQeRm~j6ZcpLnPgkEPM45CQ-0p-yxWLxdQen137LyXFh7nVcbrY4Jf8WOaCQ0rWDy9Gqw4kZXEcU5HW3J8WJGecoA0lvtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mesquite City Council pulled agenda item 6.3, which would have addressed direction on the Police Chief position, but allowed public comment on the topic during the meeting on June 24.

Multiple volunteers and community members used the public-comment period to express support for Interim Chief Fales. A volunteer identified as Cliff said continuity matters: he described an incident in which Interim Chief Fales, off duty, went to a fatal-accident scene to ensure proper handling and personally thanked volunteers afterward. “What I've seen in the past from my experience is there is a lot to be said for continuity,” Cliff said.

Jean Battaglia, identified as a current and former volunteer coordinator, said Interim Chief Fales “is very competent, he is very fair, he knows his officers and he would be an asset to the community and to the department.” Council did not take action on the item; the council chair reiterated the item had been pulled from consideration but that public comment would be allowed.

No formal vote or direction on the Police Chief position was recorded during the meeting; the item remained off the council’s formal agenda for action. Members of the public and department volunteers urged the council to consider continuity and departmental knowledge in any future decision about permanent appointment.","Item 6.3 on the Police Chief position was pulled from the agenda, but several community members spoke during open comment in support of Interim Chief Fales and highlighted volunteer and continuity considerations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6140856,"Council approves Hardy Way condominium tentative map amid homeowner-association questions",338,3652000,3990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c&start=3652&end=3990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c/thumbnail_3652000.jpg","/articles/6140856/Mesquite/Clark-County/Nevada/Council-approves-Hardy-Way-condominium-tentative-map-amid-homeowner-association-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140856-cfb5bfd267252f1f0455faabc641235c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091326&Signature=fPx1iBwBTgl6gCcQK4zMw-KYNwSJ5ABN8Ui9RuyehdqHw-dfLKZaaTNH07HwwfhAwJI-F8FYHtF2RE~1~7kelEzf65hWEkaaeFdnE7XtTzl3vvKoER2ALSeW-m8v2Othdt0zgNKyQQEt2vRyjyD2nTkX1u1RgN5QYFQXmahzF2iYjScieFfPTvA86VC2hK9s1ePvFG-QFetcHA6Ng4yqy8LT7rc~iSsqugOvk5AyiNWknMGL0Pv39yjkBZ-TWppwQmcFuuWWYSksHWbrAirrJGEly47bL5QhDED6pZHLiJCS3zU~cxBAHczljY~eyYidWMZpJVjeRVDP1MrSXQKiWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mesquite City Council on June 24 approved a tentative map (case TM-25-002) to subdivide an 18-unit townhome development at 720 Hardy Way into individual condominium units.

City planning staff indicated the applicant supplied a June 20 letter from the Mesquite Vistas Community Association board stating the association reviewed and approved the project. Planner Simon told the council staff recommended approval, subject to standard conditions.

Several public commenters raised objections and urged the council to delay action. Public speaker Raline Giovanno said city staff had denied her company’s final map because it needed master-plan or PUD approval and that similar subdivisions had been processed previously without apparent HOA votes. “2.4 says there's a 51% vote of the master association to annex in property,” Giovanno said, urging the council not to “rubber stamp” approval while litigation and association notice questions exist.

Planning staff and city officials responded that subdivision approvals and PUD amendments are separate processes. Simon told the council the tentative map had been reviewed and that a community-association approval letter had been supplied. Public works and city legal advisors said that if the HOA letter were later shown to be incorrect, that would be a private dispute among parties and not, by itself, a city-code violation preventing the subdivision approval.

Councilwoman Wanless moved to approve the tentative map; Councilwoman Fielding seconded. The motion passed and the council approved the tentative subdivision. Councilwoman Gallo recorded an abstention on the vote.

The action approves the tentative map only; final map approval and any requirements tied to master-plan or PUD amendments would follow the city's established review steps if triggered. Staff noted that HOAs and private covenants (CC&Rs) can impose additional requirements beyond the city’s subdivision process and that obtaining and reviewing any HOA approvals is part of the city's standard intake for subdivisions located within existing common-interest communities.","The council approved a tentative map to divide an 18-unit townhome development into condominium ownership, while public commenters raised concerns about Mesquite Vistas PUD procedures and whether HOA notice and annexation requirements had been followed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6140861,"Mesquite council adopts year-end budget augmentation covering $26 million in revenue and capital timing changes",435,2255000,2690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c&start=2255&end=2690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577263-d865a542563e994f5ec289f125ead44c/thumbnail_2255000.jpg","/articles/6140861/Mesquite/Clark-County/Nevada/Mesquite-council-adopts-year-end-budget-augmentation-covering-26-million-in-revenue-and-capital-timing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140861-c5abe312f17c0a133fb38b732f9077ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091326&Signature=SWilW541B5dJIB-9hDLmQGCnuKb-ecSkklPHOEicFG5UGDKb8LAoUbQ0ZLIpI0oLCo1MU8yjkerl~THc02RPSyd6ZP6ChYhzsHSU~14HjVRT0ivXUcZs5RpFObSxf905D24ZC4Cat0pCJW4neX7EYYDFvJYduhA8pY6h8LmfO2imWFEfGZQjX8qlLq12eTZGyPtdJI7v44DBUZsts3id60jVK3YR5gqjzcl5tOHfcT-Jz5qyzwJrHdIkj0YYokunmR-yfyfpO2K-htITUHo9hz5u0dw8FbCnv7oWhdLNFJDMlC7vqQ0zAONYMM4AN0XYELBbJ1aT9comT6cQtJRbQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mesquite City Council on June 24 approved a year-end augmentation to the city’s 2024–25 budget to recognize roughly $26,000,000 in additional revenue and corresponding appropriations.

Finance Director Nikki Thorn told the council the increases reflect new and amended grants, encumbrance rollovers and timing differences for capital projects. “NRS requires, if we are going to augment our budget, that we have a resolution,” Thorn said during her presentation.

Thorn told the council that more than $21,000,000 of the augmentation is tied to capital projects that were on different schedules than staff expected when the budget was prepared. She identified projects funded in part by regional flood-control and RTC (Regional Transportation Commission) dollars, Woodbury Skatepark and the justice facility in the ARPA fund. Thorn also said about $800,000 in additional grant awards were included and that the city must roll forward some prior-year encumbrances so approved purchase orders can be paid.

Council discussion focused on routine timing issues for multi-year projects. Councilman Wallis noted the normal unpredictability of project timing and endorsed the staff explanation. Councilwoman Fielding moved to adopt the resolution; the motion passed.

Thorn said the city will submit the approved augmentation to the Nevada Department of Taxation as required. She summarized the timeline for the budget process: work begins roughly 18 months before adoption and the augmentation finalizes adjustments after the fiscal year has progressed.

The augmentation was presented as a resolution on the council agenda and adopted by vote. The council did not set new policy or change tax rates as part of the augmentation; the action recognizes revenues and aligns appropriations with expenditures and project timing.

City staff will proceed with the transfers and project accounting described in the adopted resolution and file required documentation with the Department of Taxation.","The Mesquite City Council approved a year-end augmentation to the 2024–25 budget to account for grant awards, encumbrance rollovers and timing differences on major capital projects, including regional flood-control work and the justice facility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council renews independent-contractor agreement for Mesquite public defender Steven Dixon

Clark County School District reports improved Virgin Valley graduation rate but flags rising absenteeism and suspensions

Council hears public support for interim Police Chief Fales after police-chief item pulled

Council approves Hardy Way condominium tentative map amid homeowner-association questions

Mesquite council adopts year-end budget augmentation covering $26 million in revenue and capital timing changes