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Charter commission declines to advance amendment giving county council its own staff
Summary
The Clark County Charter Review Commission debated amendment 26‑13, which would clarify the council’s authority to employ and supervise staff, but after hours of testimony and concerns about costs and implementation the commission voted 7‑5 with 2 abstentions not to advance the amendment to drafting.
Commissioners on the Clark County Charter Review Commission debated, and ultimately failed to advance, a proposal to clarify that the county council — as the legislative branch — should be responsible for employing and supervising staff who support its legislative functions.
Commissioner Samuel Silliman, sponsor of amendment 26‑13, told the commission the change is meant to "reinforce the separation of powers within the county government" and give the council direct control over staff needed for policy development, constituent services and committee work. In his presentation he cited practices in King, Snohomish, Pierce and Whatcom counties as examples where councils have explicit staffing authority.
Supporters said the change would improve the council’s access to unbiased information and make the chain of command clearer. "If the council is going to be a separate legislative branch, they need to be equipped to do the policy‑making function," Silliman said.
Opponents focused on the amendment’s fiscal and operational consequences. Commissioner LeBrant pointed to the fiscal analysis and said moving toward a staff of eight would not be budget neutral, estimating annual costs in the hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars. Commissioner Chrisley argued the amendment was not fully
