Churchill County Commissioners set a formal hearing during their regular meeting on Wednesday, regarding proposed ordinance no. 121, which would add Chapter 4.11 to Churchill County Code. The Churchill County Diesel Fuel Tax would impose a five-cent tax on diesel fuel sold within Churchill County. Diesel Fuel for off-road use, including agriculture would be exempted from the tax. The hearing is scheduled for December 3rd at the 8:15 a.m. Commission meeting.
The tax was authorized by Senate Bill 48, passed by the Nevada State Legislature during the 2019 Session. The tax is authorized only for the single purpose of improving roads within the community. All revenues received are to be dedicated to be used on roads and bridges within the City of Fallon and Churchill County, specifically resurfacing existing roads and repaving roads that are beyond repair.
County Manager Jim Barbee said the average driver of a diesel pickup, driving 15,000 miles per year would pay an additional $50 per year in additional tax, should the ordinance pass.
According to Civil Deputy District Attorney Ben Shawcroft, White Pine, Pershing, Lyon, and Carson City have already adopted a diesel fuel tax under the Senate Bill. Douglas County has put the question on their ballot.
It is expected that the tax will generate nearly $300,000 in additional revenue, annually and be divided between the city and county according to an established formula.
Additionally, the commission is required when a new tax is proposed, to consider and adopt a business impact statement which was also presented during the meeting. Shawcroft said a total of 508 local businesses where sent a letter containing the proposed ordinance asking if there would be a financial impact to their business or their ability to expand. He said that four business owners responded, two supporting the ordinance because they would save money on vehicles due to less wear and tear with better roads. Two of the businesses were opposed.
“A full analysis is provided in the business impact statement,” said Shawcroft, “and based on the comments received it was determined there was no significant impact on businesses or their ability to expand.” Commissioners approved the business impact statement which will be presented during the hearing in December.
In other matters, Commissioners also addressed several other issues, including a report from Carson City Bureau of Land Management Field Manager, Ken Collum who reported that his office is working to finalize the Dixie Meadows geothermal monitoring plan and two Freedom of Information Act requests on that project. He said the BLM is not sure that the legislation on the Navy Fallon Range Training Complex expansion plan will be completed this year. Tuesday there were three significant fires in the Sierra Front; 21,000 acres at the south end of Topaz Lake, 3,500 acres at Doyle north of Reno, and 1,500 acres at the Caughlin Ranch in Reno. Homes were destroyed in Reno and Doyle.
The BLM office in Carson City can now offer woodcutting and Christmas tree permits online at their website: www.forestproducts.blm.gov
Callum also reported that during the Halloween week at Sand Mountain, rangers counted over 8,000 people. They normally see 3,000 people at Sand Mountain during that week. “We had to direct people to other places in the desert as the campground was full,” he said. They are expecting 800 people over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Marie Henson, the building department officer presented the hearing information on proposed Ordinance 71 that would amend the Water and Sewer section of the County Code. This was a second reading of the ordinance that was designed specifically to encourage development of residential and commercial projects within Churchill County.
There were no changes to the ordinance from the first reading which lowered the water right dedication requirements and the water connections fees for multi-family units and the bill was passed unanimously.
Chris Mahannah, who serves as a consultant to the county on water issues, made a presentation about several water issues, including the Nevada Division of Water Resource proposal to designate 58 hydrographic basins with three of those in Churchill County. Mahannah also discussed the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority proposal to establish groundwater boards during the upcoming Legislative Session and gave a report on the 14 water right change applications he has pending before the State Water Engineer. The Fallon Post will continue to report on the details of these issues in the online and print editions of the paper.
Jim Barbee reported on the public health response to COVID-19, saying there have been 592 positive cases in Churchill County since March with 298 of those currently active. 296 people have recovered from the virus, 12 people are currently hospitalized, and 8 people have died with the virus. He said there have been a total of 12,126 test given in the community since March.
“Banner is experiencing a strain,” he said, “but they still have room and are planning to expand the number of beds with the surge tent that was installed earlier this year.” Beginning the week after Thanksgiving, the community testing at the fairgrounds will expand to five days a week and the county has requested 2,000 rapid tests to be used for first responders and health care workers, “to keep them working,” said Barbee.
Sheriff Richard Hickox reported that he has been involved with a state committee that is rewriting the Carrying a Concealed Weapons exam and they are close to having the final revisions completed. His office has also suspended their holiday blanket drive because of COVID but will participate in the First Responder Food Drive on December 6th.
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