News Summary
The Nevada Commission on Ethics ruled that former North Las Vegas City Manager Ryann Juden violated ethics rules by negotiating a consulting contract while in office. Although deemed a non-willful violation, concerns were raised about the contract’s length and transparency. Juden, who resigned shortly before launching his consulting firm, faces scrutiny from former employees and city officials regarding the ethical implications of his actions.
North Las Vegas – The Nevada Commission on Ethics recently ruled that former North Las Vegas City Manager Ryann Juden committed a non-willful ethics violation by negotiating a post-employment consulting contract while still serving in office. This decision stems from an ethics complaint that alleged Juden violated several “cooling off rules” intended to prevent public officials from leveraging their positions for personal financial gain.
The ethics review panel upheld one specific allegation regarding the timing of the consulting contract but deemed it a non-willful infraction. This conclusion comes after considering Juden’s exercise of a clause in his employment contract, which played a significant role in their assessment. The contract in question is a three-year agreement valued at approximately $630,000, which raised ethical concerns among the commission members.
Commissioner Terry Reynolds characterized the lengthy duration of the contract as “unconscionable,” arguing that a consulting arrangement of such length is not typical and suggested that six months to one year would be more appropriate. Despite the criticisms surrounding the contract’s terms, the commission noted that they do not possess the authority to dictate the conditions of the contract. As a result, they unanimously agreed on the classification of the violation as non-willful.
The ethics ruling necessitates that a notice be sent to the City of North Las Vegas, allowing the city the option to terminate the consulting contract if they choose to do so. Juden’s attorney pointed out that his client’s extensive knowledge and established connections regarding ongoing projects were valid reasons to support the consulting arrangement.
Ryann Juden has been the city manager since 2018 and has been credited with stabilizing the city’s finances following a period of bankruptcy. He announced his resignation from the position on January 2, 2024, just before launching his consulting firm, Edge Strategies, in the same month. Under Nevada ethics law, public officials are prohibited from negotiating post-retirement contracts with their employer while they are still employed.
The ethics complaint against Juden was filed by former city employee Pamela Dittmar, who has voiced concerns regarding the ethical implications of the contract, emphasizing a need for accountability among city leaders. The consulting contract is set to begin on May 1, 2024, shortly before Juden’s last day in office, and it lacks specific deliverables, stipulating only that the consultant will provide relevant services in management, public affairs, and policy analysis.
Ross Armstrong, the executive director of the ethics commission, acknowledged the existence of concerns about the fiscal responsibility of Juden’s compensation, but clarified that such inquiries fall outside the commission’s purview. City Councilman Richard Cherchio raised issues regarding a perceived lack of transparency around the consulting contract, noting that council members were unaware of Juden’s involvement until after the contract was included on the consent agenda, which typically encompasses routine items approved without discussion.
Despite the ongoing criticisms regarding the ethical implications of the situation, the mayor and certain council members have defended Juden’s contributions to the city and advocated for continuity during the transition process to a new city manager.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- 8 News Now
- Wikipedia: Ethics Commission
- Las Vegas Review-Journal
- Google Search: North Las Vegas City Manager ethics
- Nevada Current
- Google Scholar: North Las Vegas government ethics
- Las Vegas Review-Journal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Ethics
- Nevada Globe
- Google News: Ryann Juden
