Commissioners approve funding for animal welfare group

Churchill County commissioners approved $3,000 in funding for nonprofit Fallon Animal Welfare Group to assist with rent, electricity and other expenses connected with running the facility at their May 2 regular meeting.

FAWG representative Charlie Arciniega told the commissioners that the nonprofit organization was established in 2010 to address the overpopulation of homeless cats in the area. The group has recently moved into a larger facility at 4629 Reno Highway with room for individual cages, heating and cooling capabilities and running water. The all-volunteer staff visit the facility twice each day to feed and socialize with the cats as well as clean the litterboxes and cages.

Arciniega said that one of the biggest projects at FAWG is the “trap, spay/neuter and return” program. Since December, 97 cats have been trapped, spayed or neutered and vaccinated and then returned to their respective areas to continue helping with rodent control. FAWG has also adopted out 51 cats and kittens to permanent homes in the same time.

Commissioners also discussed and/or took action on the following agenda items:

• Heard a first reading of an ordinance that would authorize the sheriff and deputies to release loose dogs captured at large to their owners if the owner is known and present rather than taking the dog to the animal shelter. The amendment is intended to save time and resources for law enforcement and the community. A public hearing for the change is set for May 15.

• Approved a request from NV Energy to abandon eight county road easements north of Interstate 80 connected with its planned solar energy facility. A list of contingency requirements was included as an amendment to the approval. The county staff report also noted that the map of proposed replacement roads did not always take the actual topography into account. Replacement “Road 4” was denied since the rerouting would cross into multiple flow paths of a four mile drainage system.

• Approved a zoning change request from C-1 to C-2 filed by Boulder Opal, LLC for 2.5 acres located at 4250 Reno Highway.

• Approved a property management agreement between Churchill County and Century 21 Green Valley Realty for the properties at 280, 282, 290 and 292 Quail Way.

• Approved an amended agreement between Churchill County Social Services and the Nevada State Housing Division for a $3,413.09 increase in the Emergency Solutions Grant funding for homeless assistance/PATH Program.

• Approved a grant subaward amendment between Churchill County Social Services and the Department of Health and Human Services for an additional $42,000 towards building a shade structure at Cottage Schools and also in support of the Churchill County Behavioral Health Intercept Model and Suicide Prevention Plan.

• Approved the annual assurances and certifications grants for fiscal year 2025 for Churchill Area Regional Transportation.

• Approved the Churchill County Indigent Defense Plan for fiscal year 24-25.

• Approved $80,579.98 for Create Spaces to purchase office furniture and equipment and to move and install the furniture into the new public defender offices. County Manager Jim Barbee said that the county will apply for a 90% reimbursement from the Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services.

• Heard an extensive presentation by Michele Fuller-Hallauer of Winged Wolf Innovations, LLC regarding the results of the Churchill County Opioid Use/Misuse Needs Assessment Report and recommendations for future outcome development.

• Approved the ratification of a funding agreement between Churchill County Social Services and the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services for $21,700 to support the Rural Nevada Continuum Care sponsorship.

• Approved the affidavit of mailing delinquent tax notices from the Churchill County Clerk/Treasurer.

• Approved to accept the invitation from the Bureau of Land Management to act as a cooperating agency in the National Environmental Policy Act review for NV Energy's proposed solar facility project in Churchill County.