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Board abolishes elected public‑administrator post, creates county post and approves temporary contract to clear backlog
Summary
After the elected public administrator resigned, the board unanimously approved an ordinance to abolish the elected office, created a new county public administrator position at pay grade 205, and authorized a temporary contract with Compassionate Solutions Inc. while the county hires staff and reorganizes estate administration.
The Douglas County Board unanimously adopted an ordinance that abolishes the elected office of public administrator and establishes a county‑administered public administrator function. Commissioners also approved a new county position and a short‑term contract to address an immediate case backlog.
What the ordinance does: Assistant County Manager Wendy Lang said the ordinance moves responsibility for public‑administrator duties from the elective office into county administration. Under Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 253, the board may designate either an employee or an independent contractor to perform public‑administrator duties; the adopted language provides the board that flexibility while also permitting the county to hire a position.
Personnel action: The board approved creation of a new full‑time county public administrator position at pay grade 205 with a salary range of $95,118 to $133,162, and authorized the county manager to sign any documents and augment the FY25 budget for anticipated expenditures tied to the new office.
Short‑term contract while county organizes: Because the office’s vacancy has left multiple probate cases pending, the board also temporarily authorized Community Services Director Brooke Ady and designees to carry out the duties and authorized a contract with Compassionate Solutions Inc. to jointly administer probate cases in which letters of administration had been suspended in Ninth Judicial District Court. Staff said Compassionate Solutions is already used by neighboring counties and will provide immediate capacity while the county recruits an employee or finalizes any professional services contract.
Legal and oversight protections: Douglas County Deputy District Attorney Doug Ritchie discussed bonding and statutory requirements; the board and staff said the county’s approach will preserve the surety bond and other statutory safeguards that apply to public‑administrator work.
Vote and next steps: The three items (ordinance to abolish the elected office; creation of the county position; temporary contractor authorization and budget augmentation) passed unanimously. Staff will proceed with recruitment for the new position while Compassionate Solutions assists with pending cases and Community Services expands case management and records organization.
Ending: Board members emphasized the need to restore consistent, accountable estate administration and to bring problem cases under timely county oversight.
