Why the need for an elected official vacancy article in the charter? There is no article or section in the current Clark County Charter that describes when a non-partisan elected office becomes vacant and how a position is temporarily filled internally until the next general election.
The vacancy amendment provides for a secure, efficient and timely leadership transition in order to maintain continuity of operations in an elected public office. It would help minimize any disruption to office operations including contractual, financial obligations and services to the public during a campaign election period to fill a vacant elected office. Having a knowledgeable, skilled and experienced person managing a complex office is critical during a leadership change.
The county charter amendment also creates an open public process when filling a county councilor position similar to how cities fill city council positions. Under current state law, which is a closed process, only the county council chair determines the three names to be presented to the county council for their action to fill any county elected official vacancy.
This proposed amendment is about promoting efficient and effective public governance and is not about the use of political power and control which ultimately creates disruptive politics and a disruptive county government.
Doug Lasher,
Vancouver
