Charter review commission advances amendment to expand ethics panel to five members

The Clark County Charter Review Commission voted to advance Amendment 2631 — which would change Charter Section 8.13 to make the independent Ethics Review Commission “consisting of five members” instead of three — to the drafting committee after discussion on April 29, 2026.

Sponsor Commissioner Hamck said the amendment is a narrow fix intended to reduce quorum problems and deadlocks while broadening perspectives. “All I am asking is to propose text to be added of consisting of five members,” she said during her presentation. She told colleagues the change would carry minimal fiscal impact because the ethics board positions are unpaid volunteers.

Supporters framed the amendment as a simple, practical improvement. “Changing from three to five is pretty much a no-brainer,” Commissioner Chrisley said, arguing the increase would make quorums more reliable and reduce the risk of tie votes.

Several commissioners raised procedural and strategic questions before the vote. Commissioner Gas said the county’s ethics processes are not functioning and that a more comprehensive overhaul might better address persistent problems. County Manager Otto told the commission the county could implement a five-member panel through code: “I am more than happy to put it to five in code and present that to council,” he said, noting the county manager’s office has appointed ethics members under existing procedures.

Secretary Garber also noted the option of pursuing a code change instead of a charter amendment, saying that route could achieve the same result without using a ballot measure. Legal staff advised harmonizing language if multiple ethics-related amendments advance to the ballot, to avoid conflict in the event more than one proposal passes.

The commission moved the amendment to the drafting committee by roll-call vote recorded at the meeting: 14 votes in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention (Vice Chair Hos). The drafting committee will format the ballot resolution, work with the prosecuting attorney and financial services as needed, and may harmonize text with any related ethics amendments that also advance.

Next steps: Amendment 2631 goes to drafting for preparation of ballot language and legal review. Sponsors and staff may withdraw or modify the proposal before the final ballot deadline; the commission noted the option of asking the county council to adopt the change in code if the council prefers that administrative path.