Have you ever seen a golden retriever grab its leash in its mouth and pull along the owner, showing him/her who’s really in charge?

Well, IVGID management is like the golden retriever and the Board is the hapless owner who gets dragged along.

New Board members are warned not to micro-manage, and told that their only function is to set policy.  They must not interact with staff, only with the General Manager.  Of course we can’t have 5 individuals all pulling staff in different directions, but accepting a notion that all they can do is come up with policies that are then put on a shelf and ignored, is a dereliction of duty..

If you look at the chapter of the Nevada Revised Statutes that covers general improvement districts you’ll discover the Board has the following powers/responsibilities:

NRS 318.175  Management of district’s business; acquisition and operation of projects.  The board shall have the power:

      1.  To manage, control and supervise all the business and affairs of the district.

      2.  To acquire, improve, equip, operate and maintain any district project.

      (Added to NRS by 1959, 464)

      NRS 318.180  Employees: Power to hire and retain.  The board shall have the power to hire and retain agents, employees, servants, engineers and attorneys, and any other persons necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of this chapter.

      (Added to NRS by 1959, 464)

      NRS 318.185  Employees: Duties and compensation.  The board shall have the power to prescribe the duties of officers, agents, employees and servants, and fix their compensation.

      (Added to NRS by 1959, 464)

      NRS 318.190  Eminent domain.  The board shall have and may exercise the power of eminent domain and dominant eminent domain in the manner provided by law for the condemnation by a city of private property for public use to take any property necessary to the exercise of the powers granted, both within and without the district.

      (Added to NRS by 1959, 464)

The Board can delegate, but not abdicate, its responsibilities.  If I am elected, I will, to the best of my ability, reestablish the Board’s authority.  I will take back the leash, with a firm, but even hand, and establish a working team of Board and staff.