County Commission wrap-up Dec. 18th meeting

by Susan Weikel --  Three employees received 4^th Quarter Employee Service Awards. Daniel Michael was honored for 10 years of service to the Churchill County Sheriff Department, and both Shawn Summers and Brenda Ogden received recognition for 25 years of service to the Churchill County District Attorney’s Office. Bureau of Land Management reported that there was a gather of wild horses in the Desatoya Mountain Herd Management Area on December 4-12 of 2019.  The gather took place approximately 77 miles east of Fallon and brought in 456 wild horses with 431 being removed and taken to the Palomino Valley Center outside of Reno. Fifteen stallions were released back onto the range, and ten mares treated with PZP, an immunocontraception used to control reproduction in the mares. 2020 Census update – the census has been taken every 10 years since 1790. All the data is protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, and no information is shared with other agencies. The census is important to all residents as it is this count that determines the seats for representation in the House of Representatives, local redistricting, and federal funding ($6.2 billion to Nevada in 2016). This year, people can self-respond (online) starting on March 12^th.  April 1^st is the ‘call to action day’, the day the census official starts. Most of the population will receive a mailer with an access code and be invited to complete the census online. For a smaller population that can not be reached this way, a census worker will go to the residence and drop off a packet. For those who fall into the harder to count population, which is about 23% such as homeless, elderly, those who may distrust the system, in campgrounds, transitory community, illegal immigrants, etc., plans will be worked out with different county agencies, volunteers, and/or different county programs. How Churchill County will organize and carry out the census information, reach, all residents, and build an awareness of the process will be discussed in various meetings yet to be held. Marla McDade Williams of Strategies 360, reported on their activities for the county. Commissioners voted to continue their government services contract with Strategies 360. During the last legislative session, the focus was on legislation that dealt with CC Communications. Under the new contract, there will be full time representation of the county before state legislators, the executive branch, and other support for issues as the need may arise. Employee reclassifications of Ashlee Roberts from Justice Court Clerk Trainee to Justice Court Clerk, and the Emergency Manger position from a salaried position to an hourly position. Approval of the addition of an Office Supervisor position to Churchill County Social Services. Approval of funding agreement between Partnership Carson City and Churchill County Social Services. The routing of funding changed and now goes directly to the county. Because of this, Shannon Ernst requested that the county accept the funds of $23,656.34 in support of Crisis Intervention Training and Forensic Assessment Triage Team Program in the county jail. The approval of an Agreement with the University of Nevada Reno to increase the amount of Extension funds that may be carried over at the end of the year. Currently that carry over is set at 10%, and the commission approved an increase of carryover funds to 50%. WNC Nursing Program in Fallon – the commission had allocated $10,000 to the program. The college asked for support in purchasing four mannequins for the nursing program at the cost of $13,500 with the Nursing and Allied Health Division picking up the remainder of the cost. Banner Hospital also helps support students in the nursing program with scholarships and tuition assistance for employees that work for them. Court Facilities Update – the commissioners received a presentation on the three different options for the construction needs to update the court rooms/offices. Over the past couple of years, Churchill County Commission has been working with Sletten Companies to narrow down the possible options. Discussion included remodeling, construction, and/or demolition. County manager, Jim Barbee, recommended option three, which will cost the county approximately $11 million and take into consideration the long-term growth of the county. This option allows for upgrading that will best comply with current court room regulations, the addition of jury boxes, a single point of entry, and will give the county approximately 50 years of growth. Mark Feest, general manager of CC Communications, also spoke to the board and expressed the issues of concern for CC Comm. There was discussion about possible ways to do this construction without having to move/slice the current existing cable in the building currently. The board voted to recommend option three as a preferred District Court building option and directed the county manage to pursue a contract for the planning and design of this option with consideration for the concerns of CC Communications. The board voted to purchase four towable tower lights that would be used by various county departments. The lights/generators will cost $8,500 each, The board voted that all current commissioners will maintain their current board positions and continue to serve on current committee assignments.       Sign up to receive updates and the Friday File email notices. 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