During their regular meeting on June 2, Churchill County Commissioners approved the submission of comments to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding a proposed rule to list the Dixie Valley Toad as an endangered species.
On April 7, 2022, the Service issued a temporary, 90-day rule to emergency list the Toad as endangered, as well as a proposed rule to permanently list the Toad as endangered. During that time the Dixie Meadows geothermal project had just gotten underway with construction. The emergency listing did not impact the start of construction.
The county is opposing the listing of the Toad because the “listing has the potential to impact land use in the Dixie Valley, including the county’s planned Dixie Valley Water Project and associated water right applications.”
Also, during that meeting, County Manager Jim Barbee reported on the activities of his office, focusing on several economic development efforts. He said he continues working with Bruce Breslow on locating a company to the community in the next six month, but that project is not yet public, as the company continues working through details. Barbee has also been focused on the housing proposal on Coleman Road with the zone change issues and traffic.
He continues efforts with Jeremy Drew on natural resource issues including the Navy expansion which Barbee said has heated up significantly with much activity over the next three weeks. The Carson Water Subconservancy District is waiting for the flood plain issue which has been submitted to FEMA and stands to have a significant impact on the community, eliminating the requirement for flood insurance for many residents.
Barbee is also working with Chris Mahannah on water needs of the community and businesses as they locate in Churchill County and make their projects known. He reported on the completion and opening of the Rafter 3C facility and the work of the building and grounds department to remodel the cottage school facility.
Other projects include the alternate public defender’s office space that will be expanded to the Old Post Office, the new space at the museum for the archives, and the conversion of the Drumm Building as offices for CART. An RFP for the new courthouse is almost ready to be released which will explore possibilities of using the old CC Comm Building.
Additionally, the Rural Satellite Lab has been under review by the State Lab and should open in July. The Health District project has been expanded to include Eureka, Pershing, and Mineral Counties as partners and continues to be developed. The Pennington Life Center has continued to expand the services offered and is serving nearly 130 meals a day. A comp study was completed through the Human Resources Department and there have been multiple new positions including the health department and IT. Cooperative Extension is in the process of filling the position of Extension Educator that has been open for three years, and the Junior Livestock show was held indoors at the 3C Arena for the first time.
Work continues with the preliminary engineering on the water and wastewater plants that may potentially be located at the golf course and the redundant well that was required by state statute has been completed.
During the June 15 meeting commissioners approved an Indigent Defense Plan as required by the State to meet new requirements recently enacted by the Nevada Board of Indigent Defense Services. The plan was developed in cooperation with the county Public Defender. District Attorney Art Mallory went on the record to say, “In today’s climate we need a certain amount of assurance to our population as to the direction our courts, the prosecution, and the defense are going and it is important that we protect the civilized nature of our community and the safety of its members.” He said other jurisdictions have neglected to pay attention to the needs of the entire community and have experienced adverse results.
After lengthy discussion, commissioners postponed a decision on renewing the Devnet contract in order to possibly negotiate a better price and more services. The company provides software used by the county Assessor, Clerk/Treasurer, and some needs in the Planning Department.
They approved the engineering work for development of four new dump stations to be located near the tennis courts at the Fairgrounds. Rusty Jardine, who is retiring as the Manager of the Truckee Carson Irrigation District reported on the special election regarding the Extra-ordinary maintenance of the Truckee Canal and the special election the district will hold June 30 to approve that project.
Kelli Kelly reported on the grant recently awarded to the Fallon Food Hub which was selected for a Community Food Access Grant through the Nevada Department of Agriculture. The Food Hub will purchase produce from Churchill County and Nevada agriculture producers to distribute to food insecure populations in Churchill County and will distribute the food at the Fallon Tribe and at the Life Center. The grant will also allow the Food Hub to supply produce for both senior center kitchens.
Commissioners approved the performance evaluation of Manager Barbee as well as a one-step increase.
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