CLARK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM
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Petitioner: |
Sam Bateman, Deputy County Manager |
Recommendation:
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Discuss and determine whether to abolish the elected Office of the Constable of Mesquite Township or to appoint a suitable and qualified person to fill the vacancy in said office; and direct staff accordingly. (For Possible Action)
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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BACKGROUND:
NRS 258.007 requires an elected constable of a township whose population is 15,000 or more or a township that has within its boundaries a city whose population is 15,000 or more to become certified by the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission ("POST") as a category I or category II peace officer within 1 year after the date on which the constable commences his or her term of office or appointment. Failure to obtain the certification results in automatic forfeiture of the elected office.
Constable Duane Thurston was re-elected to the position of Mesquite Township Constable in November 2022, and began his present term of office on January 2, 2023. The population of the City of Mesquite, which is located within Mesquite Township, exceeds 15,000 persons; consequently, Constable Thurston was required to become a certified peace officer by January 2, 2024. Constable Thurston did not obtain the required certification, automatically resulting in a vacancy in the Office of the Mesquite Constable.
Pursuant to Nevada law, the Board may either: (1) abolish the office by ordinance in accordance with NRS 258.010; or (2) in accordance with NRS 258.030 and NRS 245.170, appoint a suitable and qualified person to fill the vacancy.
The appointment to fill the vacant office must take place not later than 60 days after the vacancy occurs, and the office must be placed on the ballot for the November 2024 election.