The Board of Pershing County Commissioners establishes the office of Pershing County public guardian.
A. Purpose: The purpose of a public guardian is to provide for the care, management and protection of elderly residents of Pershing County who are unable to properly care for themselves and their finances. The Board of County Commissioners may request that any person who qualifies under Nevada Revised Statutes 253.200 receive the services of the public guardian upon order of the District Court.
B. Term Of Office: The Pershing County guardian shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for a term of four (4) years from the day of appointment.
C. Compensation: The Pershing County Commissioners shall set a salary for the public guardian by resolution. This salary shall be paid out of the General Fund. Any monies received from a ward's estate pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes 253.240 must be deposited in the County General Fund.
D. Budget Process: The County Commissioners shall provide an annual budget to fund the expenses of the office of public guardian in an amount set within the budgetary constraints of the County. All expenses shall be paid by the voucher system and shall be subject to the same controls and audits as other County offices. In certain instances, pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes 253.230, costs incurred in appointment proceedings and administrative costs can be collected from the ward's income or from the ward's estate.
E. Duties: The public guardian shall be governed by and have all of the duties set forth in Nevada Revised Statutes 253.150 through 253.250, inclusive. In addition to those duties as set forth in Nevada Revised Statutes 253.150 through 253.250, inclusive, the public guardian shall:
1. Provide for any significant medical and mental health needs of the ward that can be obtained by using the ward's available assets and general assistance programs;
2. Supply the ward with food, clothing, shelter and all incidental necessities that can be provided through the ward's available assets and general assistance programs. Also use the ward's available assets and general assistance programs to see that the ward is provided with clean clothing and lives in a clean environment;
3. Provide for the financial management of the ward's assets by collecting moneys owed the ward, protecting assets and handling the banking needs of the ward, as well as paying any debts owed by the ward if there are sufficient assets to cover such debts;
4. Protect the ward from elderly abuse as defined by the laws of the State;
5. Provide for the burial arrangements of any ward when required. (Ord. 112, 1990)