COUNTY BALLOT QUESTIONS

COUNTY ADVISORY BALLOT QUESTION NO. 1

This Question is Advisory Only

EXPLANATION / DIGEST

Under Nevada law, the elected Douglas County Clerk also serves as the ex officio County Treasurer, even though no separate election is held for the position of County Treasurer. The Board of County Commissioners may separate the single, elected Clerk-- ex officio Treasurer office into two elected offices if approved by a majority of voters. Douglas County is one of only eight counties in which the County Clerk by default also serves as the ex officio County Treasurer. Currently the Clerk-ex officio Treasurer is responsible for fulfilling all duties, responsibilities, and obligations for both offices. The duties of the County Clerk include serving as the Chief Election Official; administering candidate filing and elections; maintaining of voter registration records; serving as Clerk to the Board of Commissioners; acting as custodian of official county records not assigned to another office; issuing marriage licenses; administrating of fictitious firm name filings; providing passport acceptance services; providing select Department of Motor Vehicle services; and other duties prescribed by Nevada Revised Statutes.

County Treasurer duties include billing of real property taxes and collection of real and personal property taxes; administering delinquent tax collections and tax-defaulted property procedures; receiving, depositing, safeguarding and disbursing county funds; managing daily cash operations and bank reconciliations; overseeing county investments; administering special assessments; maintaining tax rolls; preparing financial reports; managing County banking relationships; ensuring compliance with state laws governing public finance and investments; and performing other duties required by Nevada Revised Statues [sic]. The separation of the Clerk-ex officio Treasurer’s Office into two distinctly elected offices could improve operational efficiency, fiscal management, oversight, transparency, and accountability by dedicating elected leadership to each function.