Ethics commission workload up dramatically

The workload at the Nevada Ethics Commission has increased dramatically, stretching staff to the limit.

Executive Director Stacy Jennings told the commission in her annual report the agency's budget was built on projections that they would get 66 written requests for opinions.

With six months to go in the current two-year base planning period, the commission has already seen 119 written complaints filed - an increase of 81 percent in the commission caseload.

Jennings advised the commission that the three-person staff can no longer bear the full burden and, therefore, is asking for more staff, a satellite office in Las Vegas in the proposed budget and a full-time investigator.

Jennings told the Board of Examiners this year the caseload from Southern Nevada increased sharply after Las Vegas decided to get out of the business of investigating alleged ethical violations.

The board approved $53,118 to fund a paralegal position in Southern Nevada and a $10,000 contract with an investigator. The state has also made arrangements to try to provide the commission with meeting space in the Las Vegas area.

Jennings told the commission it will be the goal of their proposed budget to increase staff and create a permanent satellite office in Las Vegas.

"Without these additional resources, the staff will continue to fall further behind in processing cases for the commission," she wrote in her report.

Contact Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.