Douglas County’s new interim manager starts work this week. Reno Public Radio’s Marcus Lavergne has more.
Former County Manager Jim Nichols stepped down in late January after only serving about half of his 3-year contract. Nichols declined commenting on what he called his “work situation,” but here's District Attorney Doug Ritchie:
“He said he felt he wasn’t able to effectively lead the county,” Ritchie said.
Larry Werner will step out of retirement to take over as interim manager. This is the second time he's done so. He also served back in 2014 after a different manager left early. During a recent county commission meeting, Vice Chairwoman Nancy Mcdermid suggested Werner, who served as Carson City manager for five years, would be ideal for the job.
“He has institutional knowledge of Douglas County,” Mcdermid said. “And, he has a vested interest in Douglas County, he’s been a resident for decades.”
Werner’s one-year contract was approved in a 4-1 vote. The lone dissenter, Commissioner Barry Penzel, said the county should hire from within.
Werner's salary is set at roughly $172,000.