Board of County Commissioners to Review Draft Ordinance to Dissolve the Elected Office of the Constable
Board of County Commissioners to Review Draft Ordinance to Dissolve the Elected Office of the Constable
Paul Gilbert Announces Retirement
Minden, NV- The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners will review a draft ordinance that would dissolve the Elected Office of Constable for the East Fork Township and transition duties to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Current Constable Paul Gilbert has held the elected office for ten, four-year terms and announced he would not seek re-election.
The Office of the Constable for the Tahoe Township was abolished in 2003. Since that time, Mr. Gilbert provided support services for both the East Fork and Tahoe Townships. With Constable Gilbert’s decision to not run for re-election, the County Commissioners will consider abolishing the Office of Constable for the East Fork Township and having the Douglas County Sheriff, Dan Coverley, act as the ex officio Constable for both the Tahoe and East Fork Townships as allowed by NRS 258.010(3).
Although not required by statute, Constable Gilbert has received training from the Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission ("POST"). It is believed that continuing to have an individual with POST training serve as the ex officio Constable will be in the best interest of the citizens of Douglas County and will allow the services provided by the Constable’s Office to be continued through oversight by the Sheriff’s Office.
Paul Gilbert will remain responsible for his duties through December 31, 2022, when his term expires, and will work with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to transition duties. The ordinance requires two readings at a Board of County Commissioners Meeting, where the public will have the opportunity to comment.
The functions of the Constable’s Office are set by state statute; the office is prohibited by law from collecting any fees other than those specifically delineated in the statute under NRS 258. The responsibilities of the office include supporting the execution of documents, orders, and evictions that are issued out of the Justice Courts. The position is paid with County funds out of the General Fund.
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