Douglas County appoints five members to write pro and con ballot arguments on splitting clerk and treasurer offices

Douglas County Clerk-Treasurer Amy Bergens presented the board with the statutory process and the results of a short application period for the advisory ballot question about separating the county clerk and treasurer offices.

Bergens said the county received three applications for the committee opposing the measure and two for the committee supporting it, and explained that NRS 295.121 allows the board to appoint up to three members per committee.

Cynthia Gregory of the District Attorney's Office told the board that having applicants is typical and that when no applicants exist previously the clerk's office and DA wrote the statements; she described past experience working cooperatively with volunteer committees. Bergens reiterated the timeline constraints in order to meet printing deadlines and the need for a fast statutory process.

Following public comment, the board appointed Maureen Casey and Virginia Starrett to the committee that will write the argument in favor of the advisory question, and Ross Chichester, Scott Doyle and Barbara Griffin to the committee that will write the opposing argument. Commissioner Hales moved and the motion passed 4–0 with one absence.

Bergens reminded the board that each committee writes one statement and may write a rebuttal once the opposing committee's text is available; the county and DA review committee text only for factuality and legality, not content preference, and committees may appeal review decisions under NRS timelines.