Washoe County Manager Takes Month-Long Medical Leave During National Election

Starting today, Washoe County Manager Eric Brown is on a month-long, planned medical leave through November 29. His absence follows the forced medical leave of interim Registrar of Voters Cari Ann Burgess. The Globe has learned that Burgess is expected to file a lawsuit against the county this week.

BREAKING NEWS: Washoe County spokeswoman Bethany Drysdale has confirmed County Manager Eric Brown has gone on medical leave, right before Election Day.
"County Manager Eric Brown is on leave for a planned medical procedure … " Drysdale wrote. More in our screenshot: pic.twitter.com/b6mZa5iN4g

— Biggest Little Streets (@OurTownReno) October 28, 2024

According to Our Town Reno, County spokesperson Bethany Drysdale has confirmed that Brown’s medical leave is due to a planned medical procedure.

“County Manager Eric Brown is on leave for a planned medical procedure, and Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro is acting manager while he is out,” Drysdale wrote.

Drysdale then asked if we (Our Town Reno) had received “a heads-up about this from a commissioner? I’m sure he could send you the letter,” she wrote. (emphasis added)

Our Town Reno and The Globe did not receive a “heads-up” from a male commissioner as Drysdale suggests in her reply to Our Town. Like Our Town, The Globe  received a screenshot of the announcement from a concerned citizen.

Being that there is only one male Washoe County Commissioner, The Globe called Commissioner Mike Clark for comment. Clark told The Globe:

“I didn’t know and didn’t share this information with anybody. Since I am the only male commissioner, how dare she accuse me of anything without absolute personal knowledge. She is speculating. The County, instead of fix problems or address problems, they cover them up. If I complain about something, they run out to camouflage the problem. They work on recanting allegations, versus allowing me to bring an issue forward for discussion and remedy. Chairwoman Alexis Hill oversees the county and takes credit for the success, but she refuses to take responsibility for failures. She has accused me of being an “arsonist” for simply asking questions. The citizen’s in Washoe County can do something about her lack of leadership by voting for her opponent and removing her from office.”

In his capacity as County Manager, Brown oversees elections and reports to Chairwoman Hill and the board.

After a 2023 audit found that Washoe County election processes were “error prone and confusing,” Brown and the former Registrar of Voters Jamie Rodriguez gave a presentation to the commissioners and explained the need for a massive overhaul of the county’s election system. According to the RGJ, Brown remembers telling them, “We need to revamp it, take it down to the studs and start over.”

Last July, the board drew national attention when the majority refused to certify the June primary election results which prompted an unsuccessful lawsuit by the Attorney General and Secretary of State.

The commission’s failure to initially certify the recounts prompted Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron Ford to file a Writ of Mandamus with the Nevada Supreme Court. “This week, three county commissioners refused to canvass accurate election results as required by law. This vote has the potential to set a dangerous precedent for elections in Nevada. It is unacceptable that any public officer would undermine the confidence of their voters,” said Secretary Aguilar at the time of filing.

A week after the initial vote and filed lawsuit, the Washoe County Commission reversed course and certified two recounts in June’s primary election.

Prior to his vote, Clark apologized to his constituents in District 2, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that I change my vote. I am not going to call it a vote. We are compelled to vote on this. The commission’s vote in this matter is mandatory. My hands are tied to what I can and cannot do as a commissioner. According to the District Attorney, I could be subject to criminal prosecution and forfeiture of office…No explanation was provided why some candidates lost votes during the recount…I personally believe recounts should be hand counted. I call on the legislature and elected state officials to devise an election process that people can trust…I am forced to vote to certify this election today. There is nothing in the statute that allows a commissioner to question the results. But, my hands are tied in respect to what I can and cannot do as a commissioner…There is nothing in the statute that allows a commissioner to question the results. The law prevents me from voting my conscience.”

Brown’s planned medical leave, coupled with Burgess’ forced resignation, comes at a crucial time during a national election. Washoe County is a swing county in a swing state and could determine the outcome of the presidential and U.S. Senate race.

Editor’s note: The Globe wishes Manager Brown a successful operation and speedy recovery.