Commission tackles wildfire readiness and fiscal updates

The Eureka County Commission convened on the morning of May 5. Chairman Rich McKay called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., with Commissioner Mike Schoenwald participating via telephone. The session opened as McKay requested a moment of silence for Maycie Brown, a local girl who recently passed away.

Tax recovery efforts

Eureka County Treasurer Pernecia Johnson presented a report on the county’s recent efforts to reconcile its tax rolls and manage delinquent properties. On March 23, the Treasurer’s office initiated a multi-tiered mailing campaign to notify property owners of outstanding debts. This effort included 259 first-year delinquent notices, which have already resulted in 109 payments. The second tier involved 55 notices for two-year delinquencies, yielding 14 payments, while the most critical tier — third-year delinquencies — saw 22 notices mailed with two owners coming current since the mailing.

Johnson noted the logistical hurdles inherent in these collections, reporting that dozens of notices were returned as undeliverable across all categories. Despite these challenges, nine parcels were successfully auctioned on April 8, generating $59,000 in revenue. Following the report, the commission officially approved the issuance of quitclaim deeds to the successful bidders, finalizing the transfer of these properties back into private, tax-paying hands.

Library growth

Kassie Antonucci, Director of “MyBrary,” shared an outlook on community engagement for the first quarter of 2026. Data from January through March indicated high traffic at both county branches. The Crescent Valley library recorded 305 attendees and 208 item checkouts, while the Eureka branch saw 461 attendees and 661 items circulated.

When Chairman McKay asked what factors were driving these increased figures, Antonucci pointed to a more aggressive and modern outreach strategy. She explained that the library has been working closely with local media groups to elevate their public profile, stating that residents are becoming much more aware of the diverse resources available to them beyond traditional book lending.

The library is also preparing for a robust summer schedule. The Summer Reading Program is slated to run from June 1 through July 25 and is designed to accommodate readers of all ages. Weekly programming remains a staple of the library’s mission, featuring story times every Friday — at 10:30 a.m. in Crescent Valley and 2:00 p.m. in Eureka — alongside an adult craft program held on Thursday evenings. Furthermore, the Eureka branch has launched a “Movie Night” specifically for seniors, which held its well-attended debut on April 29.

Public safety

Sheriff Miles Umina’s report touched on both the department’s professional honors and its technical evolution. The Sheriff recently represented Eureka County at the funeral of Sheriff Hickocks in Fallon on May 2. Back at home, the department is in the final stages of a significant technological upgrade, with 14 vehicles currently undergoing the installation of advanced dash camera systems. These units interface directly with vehicle-mounted laptops, a feature Umina says will make the process of labeling and uploading synchronized footage from both body cameras and dash cams significantly more efficient for deputies.

In the courtroom, Assistant District Attorney Holli Else secured a guilty verdict against a defendant who had entered “The Phoenix” while armed with a gun. The subject is currently awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for July 17. The department is also expanding its personnel, as Deputy Eric Fleming is set to graduate from POST on May 14. To ensure a smooth transition into active duty, Deputy Hoggard will serve as a field training officer to oversee the final assessments for Fleming and other potential candidates.

Infrastructure and roadway maintenance

Road Supervisor Scooter Mentaberry provided an exhaustive summary of the maintenance work performed by county crews to keep remote transit routes viable. The Eureka team has completed grading across several high-traffic and high-elevation areas, including Newark Summit, Thompson Road, Bailey Pass and the Mineral Hill Loop. They also addressed Henderson Pass, Windfall Canyon and Fish Creek Summit, while work continues on the JD Road and the stretch from Roberts Creek to 3 Bars.

Safety remained a key theme of the road report. Mentaberry announced the installation of “No Truck” signs on either side of McCloskey Pass, a move prompted by several recent incidents where truck drivers found themselves in “a bad way” after attempting to navigate the difficult pass. Meanwhile, in Crescent Valley, crews focused on Barth, Cortez, and Spa Road, in addition to hauling gravel and clearing tires from the local landfill. Mentaberry also noted that weed spraying is now complete at the fairgrounds and sewer ponds, and his team has spent two weeks processing steel-reinforced concrete from various town projects for future use.

Wildfire outlook

Public Works Director Jeb Rowley delivered a briefing on the upcoming wildland fire season, which he expects to be highly active due to lower-than-average fuel moisture levels. Rowley recently coordinated with the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to map out the region’s defensive capabilities.

The resource landscape for 2026 is a patchwork of federal, state and local assets. The BLM district has positioned three fully staffed engines, two dozers, and a water tender in the area, with one of those engines stationed directly in Eureka. The NDF branch in Ely is contributing two staffed engines and two contracted helicopters, while the Elko NDF branch provides an additional three helicopters. However, Rowley cautioned that the Elko group is currently limited by a lack of camp crew support. Within the county, the six volunteer fire departments remain the backbone of the emergency response, serving as the primary initial attack force before transitioning command to state or federal agencies as they arrive on the scene.

Rowley emphasized that because Elko has been designated as drought-impacted, the county expects significant activity in the north, particularly pinyon-juniper and brush fires. To prepare for these events, the county is finalizing Memorandums of Understanding with local ranches and Nevada Gold Mines to secure preauthorized water sources. Rowley plans to bring the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan to the commission for formal adoption on June 18.

Natural resources and federal land management

Natural Resource Director Jake Tibbitts updated the commission on a flurry of activity regarding water rights and federal land policy. A highlight was a recent meeting with I80 Gold to discuss water modeling for their Mineral Point and underground expansion projects. Tibbitts and hydrologist Dale Bugenig are working to ensure that the mining company’s dewatering efforts do not negatively impact the county’s significant investments in the Devil’s Gate well.

The regulatory landscape is also shifting. Tibbitts noted that the BLM has issued a new categorical exclusion for geothermal exploration, which allows for up to 10 acres of land disturbance without a full Environmental Assessment — a more lenient standard than the five-acre limit currently applied to traditional mining. Additionally, a massive oil and gas lease sale is on the horizon, covering thousands of acres across Eureka County. This comes amid rising tensions in the Diamond Hills, where a new oil well project has caused conflict with local grazing permittees due to unauthorized road construction.

Finally, the county bid a professional farewell to long-time BLM Nevada State Director Jon Raby, who retired at the end of April. Tibbitts noted that Raby was a consistent partner for the county, even in his final weeks, as he accepted the county’s request for a state director review regarding the Mt. Hope molybdenum mine. As the county moves into the summer, Tibbitts will continue to advocate for local interests in upcoming meetings regarding the Humboldt River water models and the implementation of the Greater Sage Grouse habitat plan.

Eureka County Commissioners approved:

The Agenda Notice and Minutes from the April 21, 2026, Commission meeting.

A donation in the amount of $3,650.00 to be paid from the Crescent Valley Activities Fund, to help with costs for the Crescent Valley Fun Days held on June 27, 2026.

Expenditures of $1,247,504.91.

Resolution of the Board of Eureka County Commissioners Providing for Donation of Surplus Property, Opera House Doors, to Eureka Restoration Enterprises.

A request from the Eureka Volunteer Fire Department for a donation to purchase the Fourth of July fireworks in the amount of $9,603.63 to be paid from Commissioner Misc. Grants.

Canceling the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting on June 16, 2026, and scheduling an additional meeting on June 18, 2026, in order to canvas the June 9, 2026, Primary Election.

A Record of Survey in support of a boundary line adjustment for Diamond C, LLC, and LC Properties, LLC (APN 007-210-38 and APN 007-210-39).

Authorizing the Public Works Director to initiate change orders to the existing drilling services contract with Parsons Drilling for the Kobeh Valley Well Project within remaining budgeted and appropriated funds, consistent with the approved grant scope and time frame, and in compliance with applicable federal procurement requirements, with notification to the board following any change orders.

Authorizing the Public Works Director to execute and record a permanent easement or purchase agreement with DV Gravel & Exploration for the County’s water supply infrastructure at APN 007-320-04. Such authorization shall be under the same material terms as the previously approved Access and Conditional Purchase Agreement, upon satisfaction of the condition’s precedent therein, or upon such earlier date as the Public Works Director determines necessary to protect the county’s infrastructure interests.

Setting a public hearing to consider the single appraisal and fair market value of real property at APN 007-320-04 owned by DV Gravel & Exploration at 11 a.m., May 19, 2026.

Ratification of three Letters of Support for the Central Nevada Health District’s Rural Health Transformation Fund grant applications as follows: (1) $3.1 million for facility and service expansion; (2) $250,000 for Certified Community Health Worker training and Medicaid billable status; and (3) $30,000/month over five years for an OnMed Care Station in Crescent Valley, Nevada.

Sign Permit Application No. 734, submitted by Red Barn General Management LLC for a sign located on APN 003-563-01 along Highway 306 in Eureka County, and authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to execute the Zoning Affidavit and any other documentation required by the Nevada Department of Transportation to complete the application.

Ratifying the purchase of Microsoft 365 licensing from SHI through the NASPO cooperative purchasing contract, Contract No. AR2488, for the term of March 3, 2026, through March 2, 2027, in the total amount of $73,732.54, authorize the CIO to sign the quotation and any related ordering documents outside of the meeting, and authorize the CIO to add or remove licenses as needed throughout the term.

Affidavit of mailing delinquent tax notices for real property parcels.

Accepting Treasurer’s verified return of sale and reconciliation of trust property for the tax delinquent properties auction held on April 8, 2026.

Adopting a resolution directing the county treasurer to execute and file quitclaim deeds for record with the county recorder and deliver said quitclaim deeds for properties sold at auction on April 8, 2026.

Setting a public hearing for June 2 at 10 a.m. to invite public comments and consider adopting an updated Eureka County Road Map, which identifies main roads, general roads and minor roads within Eureka County.

Quote #374693 for purchasing ten (10) SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) units from LN Curtis, for an amount not to exceed $90,185.00, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay (010-001-55010-000) in the County Commissioners’ Fund.

Applications for a 3/4-inch residential water service for APN 002-038-03 and APN 002-038-04 in the town of Crescent Valley.

The Construction Manager at Risk, Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract with Sierra Nevada Construction Inc., for Phase 2C Road and Utility Improvement Project, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the Regional Transportation Commission Fund and the Eureka Water/Sewer Utility Fund.

Proposal from Construction Services with Lumos & Associates in the amount of $792,150.00 for the Town of Eureka Phase 2C Road & Utility Project, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the Regional Transportation Commission Fund and the Eureka Water/Sewer Utility Fund.

Quote from McCandless Truck Center in the amount of $25,763.45 for a Hitch and Plow for the Airport Snowplow under Sourcewell contract #080124-NVS, utilizing funds budgeted in (010- 016-55010-000) Airport Capital Outlay Fund.

A review of tentative budgets and possible eliminations of expenses, additions of expenses, personnel requests, capital outlay requests and any other budget-related items listed in the tentative budgets to be incorporated into the Final Budget due to the Nevada Department of Taxation no later than June 1, 2026, with final budgets to be reviewed and approved on May 19, 2026.