NRS354.695. Severe financial emergency: Powers and duties of Department of Taxation; reimbursement for expenses; allocation from Contingency Account; recommendations by local government; cooperation of state agencies; delegation of powers and duties to financial manager; termination of management.

      1.  As soon as practicable after taking over the management of a local government, the Department shall, with the approval of the Committee:

      (a) Establish and implement a management policy and a financing plan for the local government;

      (b) Provide for the appointment of a financial manager for the local government who is qualified to manage the fiscal affairs of the local government;

      (c) Provide for the appointment of any other persons necessary to enable the local government to provide the basic services for which it was created in the most economical and efficient manner possible;

      (d) Establish an accounting system and separate accounts in a bank or credit union, if necessary, to receive and expend all money and assets of the local government;

      (e) Impose such hiring restrictions as deemed necessary after considering the recommendations of the financial manager;

      (f) Negotiate and approve all contracts entered into by or on behalf of the local government before execution and enter into such contracts on behalf of the local government as the Department deems necessary;

      (g) Negotiate and approve all collective bargaining contracts to be entered into by the local government, except issues submitted to a fact finder whose findings and recommendations are final and binding pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Employee-Management Relations Act;

      (h) Approve all expenditures of money from any fund or account and all transfers of money from one fund to another;

      (i) Employ such technicians as are necessary for the improvement of the financial condition of the local government;

      (j) Meet with the creditors of the local government and formulate a debt liquidation program;

      (k) If the Department has taken over the management of a local government because the local government is involved in litigation or threatened litigation, carry out the duties set forth in NRS 354.701, if the provisions of that section are applicable;

      (l) Approve the issuance of bonds or other forms of indebtedness by the local government;

      (m) Discharge any of the outstanding debts and obligations of the local government; and

      (n) Take any other actions necessary to ensure that the local government provides the basic services for which it was created in the most economical and efficient manner possible.

      2.  The Department may provide for reimbursement from the local government for the expenses the Department incurs in managing the local government. If such reimbursement is not possible, the Department may request an allocation by the Interim Finance Committee from the Contingency Account pursuant to NRS 353.266, 353.268 and 353.269.

      3.  The governing body of a local government which is being managed by the Department pursuant to this section may make recommendations to the Department or the financial manager concerning the management of the local government.

      4.  Each state agency, board, department, commission, committee or other entity of the State shall provide such technical assistance concerning the management of the local government as is requested by the Department.

      5.  The Department may delegate any of the powers and duties imposed by this section to the financial manager appointed pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1.

      6.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 354.723 and 450.760, once the Department has taken over the management of a local government pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1, that management may only be terminated pursuant to NRS 354.725.

      (Added to NRS by 1995, 141; A 1995, 1901; 1999, 88, 1476, 2538; 2001, 91, 1816; 2005, 1393)