Commissioners wrap up 2023 business

Churchill County commissioners rang out the year with a meeting Dec. 20 and will meet for the first time in 2024 on Jan. 4 at 8:15 a.m. in the commission chambers, 155 N. Taylor St.

Commissioners began the December meeting by recognizing three employees with fourth-quarter service awards. Trinite Clifford (comptroller’s office) and Anne McMillin (public information officer) received recognition for five years of employment, while Churchill County Deputy Sheriff Rudy Maynez received recognition for 15 years of service.

A presentation on the annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Churchill County and CC Communications for the fiscal year ending June 30 was given by auditors Chad Atkinson and Kelli Jones. They reviewed key areas of the report and found the budget to be in compliance with federal and state law.

Financial highlights of the report show funds are operating within the budget.

Commissioners also:

• Reviewed the Notice of Application 92989 filed with the state engineer from Granite Springs Ditch and Pipeline Co., LLC to appropriate water from Granite Springs Valley in Pershing County for application in Churchill County.

• Ratified an agreement between Churchill County Social Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service for $70,925 for Distance Learning and Telemedicine.

• Ratified a sub-recipient agreement between Churchill County Social Services and the Central Nevada Health District for Telehealth Services for $70,925.

• Heard the first reading of Bill 2023-B, Ordinance No. 7, an ordinance adding sections 3.12.024 (Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Medical Conditions) and 3.12.026 (Reasonable Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault), and modifying sections 3.32.140 (Standby) and 3.36.050 (Holidays), of Title 3 of the Churchill County Code for those employees under the direct and indirect jurisdiction of the Board of County Commissioners to the extent of the laws permitted by the State of Nevada.

The second hearing is at the commissioners’ Jan. 4 meeting.

• Approved the staff’s recommendation to have Shaw Engineering proceed with Alternative No. 3 outlined in the Churchill County Commissioners Dec. 20 agenda’s Secondary Water Treatment Plant Draft Preliminary Engineering Report to place the new facility at the Fallon Golf Course, complete the environmental review and finalize the draft report.

• Approved a construction contract between Churchill County and MS Construction for $99,850 to complete the tenant improvements at the commercial strip mall located at 101 N. Maine St., Unit 101 and 103, and to reserve up to $25,000 for potential unexpected costs.

• Adopted Resolution 32-2023 to endorse the remodeling of seven low income housing projects in Churchill County by American Covenant Senior Housing Foundation, Inc.

• Heard the first reading for consideration and possible action regarding Bill 2023-C, Ordinances 12 and 13, an ordinance amending Title 5 of the Churchill County Code to clarify the persons required to receive business licenses for special events, update persons required to receive employment certificates, remove the transmittal of fingerprint records by the sheriff to unauthorized parties pursuant to Nevada Revised Statute, amend liquor license fees to be due on an annual basis, and other related matters.

The second reading is Jan. 4.

• Received an update and notification of current status of re-transmission consent agreement negotiations from CC Communications.

• Reappointed Josh Berney and John Getto to serve terms as regular members and Rachelle Lunger to serve as an alternate members on the Board of Equalization through Dec. 31, 2017.

• Reappointed Jaime Sammons to the Churchill County Cemetery Board.

• Approved an advanced step of Richard Ingram as the county’s emergency manager. He will work 19 hours a week at $36.55 an hour.