Magistrate Steve Kracraft appointed interim judge executive after county attorney says judge executive resigned

At a special Clark County meeting, magistrates voted to appoint Magistrate Steve Kracraft as the interim judge executive after the county attorney reported that the judge executive had publicly acknowledged resigning.

The county attorney told the body there was “no evidence of entry into the executive journal” and that he had not received a call back from the governor’s office, but that public statements by the judge executive show “he has in fact resigned,” framing the need for a temporary appointment until the governor makes a permanent selection. The county attorney’s report prompted a motion to name an interim.

The motion to appoint Magistrate Steve Kracraft was made by Magistrate Davis and seconded by Ernest Pasley. One magistrate objected, saying the nomination could be “a bit presumptuous” because Kracraft is a candidate for the office and the appointment “may create a distraction.” The objection did not prevent the nomination from being approved by voice vote.

Earlier in the meeting the body approved an EMS budget transfer; the transcript records the motion, second and voice vote but does not specify the transfer amount. After the appointment vote, members also approved a motion to enter a closed session to discuss personnel matters that could result in hiring or release of an employee.

The interim appointment takes effect immediately and will remain until the governor names a permanent judge executive or otherwise clarifies the vacancy. The meeting then moved into a closed session on personnel.