Former city manager Ritter made interim director of convention and visitors unit

Carson City’s Convention and Visitors Bureau Board named consultant Linda Ritter, a former city manager, as the bureau’s interim director for an hourly rate of $75.Ritter said Monday her goal is to “add value” as she bridges to a full-time, permanent director. By board action, she will receive the $75 hourly for 30 hours a week, or $18,000 if the role lasts the projected eight weeks. A couple of board members suggested capping the time span at 10 or 12 weeks, but the board decided to review the situation after eight weeks and determine where the search for a permanent director stands then.Ritter, who has Ritter Consulting Associates Inc. in Carson City and also does consulting work for city government, said she sees no conflict in the dual roles of bureau interim director and city consultant.She was Carson City’s city manager from 2003 until 2008, when she resigned that post. Board members also decided on Ritter’s job responsibilities and the compensation package during their meeting. Supervisor Karen Abowd, a member of the bureau board, said Ritter and former Supervisor Molly Walt both had an interest in the interim post. Ritter was on hand during the meeting.The decision to go with Ritter came after a motion by Abowd that was seconded by Stan Jones of the Purple Avocado, current head of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, and approval was without dissent.In other action, the board voted 4-1 to provide $15,000 at the request of Jay Zetz, owner of All World Sports, for out-of-area advertising to bring sports tournaments to Carson City. Stephen Lincoln cast the dissenting vote, citing a budget gap and saying traditionally such aid goes down as years pass. Last year All World Sports got the same amount.But Chris Frizzell of the Events Committee and Linda Barnett of Hampton Inn & Suites said the risk of losing All World Sports to another community weighed against dropping the amount to $10,000. They cited $7 million or more benefit to the city from visitors for the sports events.The board also voted, but with no dissent, to provide $500 as seed money for a one-time Frisbee disc golf tournament April 13 in Carson City. The goal is to test interest in disc golf here.