Lyon County Commission elects chair, vice chair

Electing a new board chair and vice chair took several votes during the Lyon County Commission’s first meeting of the year Jan. 3.

Lyon’s four-member board is short one commissioner with former member Ken Gray recently vacating the seat, which covers portions of Dayton, all of Stagecoach and parts of Silver Springs, to join the Nevada Assembly. Gov. Joe Lombardo will appoint a replacement for Gray.

Commissioner Vida Keller of Silver Springs ended her term last month, and her husband Scott Keller assumed the District 2 seat.

Scott Keller was sworn in Tuesday among Lyon’s elected officials, including incumbents Commissioner Dave Hockaday, District Attorney Stephen Rye and newly elected Sheriff Brad Pope, Clerk/Treasurer Staci Lindberg, Assessor Troy Villines, Recorder Anita Talbot and Fernley Swimming Pool General Improvement District Board Director Suzanne Prouty.

With Hockaday, Keller and Commissioners Wes Henderson and Robert Jacobson to determine who would be chair and vice chair in 2023, most motions resulted in a 2-2 tie.

Interim County Manager Andrew Haskin, before nominations were taken, explained the duties the commission chair are to oversee and run meetings, attend agenda reviews and make nominations for Lyon County’s Planning Commission and Board of Equalization. The vice chair is the alternative when the chair cannot be in attendance for commission meetings.

Henderson, representing District 1, expressed an interest in the chair position, with Jacobson, representing District 4, stating he would support Henderson.

“I feel he attends more outside meetings and is more active in the state,” Jacobson said of Henderson. “I don’t think this should be a popularity contest. … I feel Mr. Henderson is very active and would represent Lyon County statewide.”

Keller nominated Hockaday to be chair.

Ultimately, the commissioners finally decided to draw cards, with Hockaday drawing the high card.

The commissioners returned and as items were separate items on the agenda, Henderson nominated Hockaday as chair under item 6b, receiving the board’s approval. Under item 6c, Hockaday nominated Henderson as vice chair and the board voted unanimously. They both will serve accordingly for the 2023 year.

“I think it’s good that we have two commissioners who both are willing and capable and want to serve as chair, and I look forward to working with Commissioner Hockaday and wanting to make our commission operate as smoothly as possible,” Henderson said during comments at the end. “We’re never all going to agree, but we can disagree agreeably.”

Lyon County residents interested in the vacant District 3 position must submit an application to the county manager’s office by 5 p.m. Jan. 10. For information on the application process, click here.