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Public commenters warn of fiscal risk from amendment 2626 and accuse auditor of bias
Summary
During public comment, callers warned that amendment 2626 could destabilize county finances by requiring supermajority tax votes and accused the county auditor of using his office to lobby against amendments; commissioners noted the concerns and the audit office engagement with committees.
Three members of the public addressed the commission during the public-comment period about proposed amendments and process matters.
Bradley Brham urged caution on amendment 2626 (a public safety/staffing-related amendment), arguing Clark County’s smaller, less-diversified tax base and dependence on sales tax revenue make a supermajority tax requirement fiscally risky and could force frequent draws on reserves. Brham recommended the study committee propose a dedicated levy mechanism compatible with state law so voters could directly fund public safety if that is the policy choice.
Deanna Katan urged more respectful deliberations, questioned whether a fixed staffing amendment is preferable to a data-driven, periodic staffing study, and said the sheriff had expressed concern about the county’s ability to pay for added responsibilities without reliable revenue.
Rob Anderson alleged a conflict of interest involving Auditor Greg Kimy, saying Kimy used public appearances and his office’s financial estimates to influence public opinion against certain charter amendments and asked the commission to consider seeking independent financial assessments or requesting the auditor cease lobbying.
Chair Ericson thanked the speakers and commissioners later discussed the need for accurate cost data; Commissioner Donley later noted the auditor’s office and financial services are collaborating on revised cost figures to be provided to the 2626 committee.
Next steps: commissioners deferred the 2626 committee report to June 17 to allow financial-services and auditor cost estimates to be finalized and incorporated into the committee’s report.
