Tim Robison
Moapa Valley Progress
A discussion was held and action was taken at the Wednesday, January 30 meeting of the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board regarding replacing Kurt Lytle as a member of the Board and as Vice Chair.
Lytle resigned from the Board last month. He had taken a job with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which has policies in place that do not allow employees to serve on such committees. Over the weeks since Lytle’s announcement, citizens interested in serving on the board have filed several applications for the open Board position.
Board Chairwoman Judy Metz reminded the Board and the assembled citizens that ultimately it is the County Commission that would make the decision. Metz also said that it was important that the person filling the position have experience and understanding of the issues.
“I think it is very important who we fill this position with because of the major projects, the sewer system, the trails systems all the things we have been involved with for the last 4-years and longer,” Metz said. “I would like it to be someone who is up to speed with what we are doing. I would like to recommend that we make a motion requesting the commissioners to appoint Gene Houston to fill the spot.”
Metz then made a motion to this effect.
Before the vote, Board Member Guy Doty asked for the floor. Doty stated that he did not oppose appointing Gene Houston to fill the vacancy but said that he would oppose such a motion because the application process to fill the vacancy was not scheduled to be closed until February 6. Doty felt that the Board should wait to vote on any recommendation until the application process ended.
Metz then reminded the members that if the Board postponed an official decision until after February 6 then the appointment would not be made by the County Commission until the Commission meeting after the closing date. This would mean, according to Metz, that it would be roughly two months before the County Commission would be able to act on the Board’s recommendation. Metz felt that this was too long to go with an open position on the Board. “I think we should wait,” Doty said. “I think we send a bad message to our public who, thank heavens they are interested in serving. Last time there was an opening, we had about six applicants. If we dampen the spirit of those who apply by saying, well, we have made our choice regardless of who there is, without deliberating all applicants.”
Metz then said that the motion was on the table and asked for a vote. The vote went three to one for the recommendation of Houston, with Doty’s being the dissenting vote.
Metz then turned to the business of selecting a new Vice Chair for the Board. Metz said that she believed that there were two members of the Board who had declared a willingness to be elected to the open position, Guy Doty and Rik Eide.
A brief discussion ensued in which Metz said that she did not want to have to make the decision. Metz then asked someone to make a motion for action on the agenda item. The silence in the room was brief, it was said by some in attendance that the sound of crickets chirping was heard as everyone’s attention turned to Board Member Jay Young.
Young then stoutly said, “I would propose we nominate Rik Eide to fill the position as Vice Chair.” The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
