Carson Administrator’s Interim Term Is Extended

The Carson City Council this week awarded Public Safety Director Larry Olson a six-month extension as interim city administrator.

The council postponed a decision on search procedures for filling the post permanently. Former City Administrator Jack Smith decided to resign after the council failed to offer him a long-term contract. He left the job last month, and Olson immediately replaced him.

The council approved Olson’s extension on a 4-1 vote. Yet to be worked out is how much extra Olson will be paid for filling the job. Smith’s annual salary was $87,864; Olson currently makes $72,000.

Councilwoman Sylvia Muise voted against the extension because it did not include an escape clause that would allow the city to replace Olson without having to force him out.

The council also lifted its hiring freeze for three vacant department director positions, which has left the city without half of its top managers. The financially strapped city has had a hiring freeze for much of the last two years.

Meanwhile, the council moved to end its often lengthy sessions by setting a 10 p.m. limit on its meetings, which start at 6 p.m. Agenda items the council does not get to before the deadline will be considered the following night.

The council, which doubles as the city’s Redevelopment Agency, also decided to reverse the order in which it conducts its business. Council portions of the meetings now will be conducted after agency business is concluded.