During their regular meeting, Churchill County Commissioners approved a plan to convert much of the first floor of the District Court building, where the old jail used to be located, to a space for evidence and records storage. Public Works Director Chris Spross and Sheriff Richard Hickox presented a plan and answered questions regarding the proposed tenant improvements that will come in at nearly $915,000.
“We met with the sheriff to see what it would take,” said Spross as he presented a list of work to commissioners that includes evidence storage, records and files storage, a space for the evidence technicians and drop off, along with video monitoring.
In other business, commissioners also approved a proposal by Fernley Business Park LLC to abandon a public road easement and convert it to a private road easement. The property is located west of Hazen on the Lyon/Churchill County line, and the request was made for safety reasons. The railroad tracks are located directly north of the property, and the road will now be gated to prevent public access to the private trans-loading facility. Churchill County will require a government and emergency access right to be reserved with the conversion. Property owners will now approach Lyon County to convert the public to private access on the Lyon County side of the property.
Commissioners also ratified an agreement with the social services office for $119,000 to continue the Homemaker Program that provides services to vulnerable elders in the community.
Aubry Burgess was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the five-member Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife and will serve through July 2026. The board comprises Chair Peggy Hughes, Jim Curran, Andrew Howells, and Jason Sibley. Each member is appointed for a three-year term. Members must reside in Churchill County, Nevada, and be a sportsperson, as evidenced by a fishing, hunting, or trapping license or a rancher or farmer within Churchill County. The member must have participated in at least two Churchill County Advisory Boards to Manage Wildlife meetings within the past year.
Sherry Wideman, Churchill County Comptroller, addressed a letter the county received from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development regarding a request from Idaho Asphalt Supplies, requesting a tax abatement of $739,136 over the next ten years. The State of Nevada offers tax abatements to attract business and industry to the state in their economic development efforts. Wideman says, “This is why our sales tax goes up, but we are receiving less in revenue.” The reductions affect the tax revenue returned from the state to the county where the company is located. Wideman said in Fiscal Year 2022, there was nearly $560,000 that did not come to Churchill County due to property and sales tax abatements. “Our assessed values go up, but not our revenues. I wanted to let you know how these affect us. It is similar to the geothermal companies, and it decreases our revenues.”
Sheriff Hickox also reported on the purchase and intended use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for his department. He said the legislature has been concerned about the ramifications of a potential “surveillance state” and has required that a search warrant be obtained for much of the use of the UAV. He said using the UAV has provided a unique viewpoint during its use and in surprising, helpful ways.
The commission meets on the first Thursday at 8:15 a.m. and the third Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. Agendas can be found online at churchillcountynv.gov by clicking on agendas/minutes.
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