Eureka County Commission addresses EMS burnout, mining road agreements and public safety priorities

The Eureka County Commission convened on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to address emergency services staffing, public safety operations, infrastructure repairs, natural resource policy and key board approvals.

Chairman Rich McKay and Commissioner Marty Plaskett attended in person in Eureka, while Commissioner Mike Schoenwald joined remotely via tele-link from Crescent Valley. Following administrative approvals—including meeting minutes from July 21, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18—commissioners authorized $2,420,890.90 in county expenditures, including a late payment of $618.80.

EMS staffing

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Nicole Cooley presented July operational statistics, reporting 39 emergency runs—22 in Eureka, one in Crescent Valley and 16 covered by MedEx in Crescent Valley—generating $4,102.85 in revenue. Community health services remained active: Genesis Home Health logged 17 patient visits, local clinics recorded 364 visits (340 in Eureka and 24 in Crescent Valley) and Rehabilitation Services logged 91 visits.

The report sparked discussion as Plaskett questioned over 400 volunteer hours recorded in July—averaging 13.3 hours per day. Cooley explained that event coverage during Fourth of July festivities, the Eureka County Fair and the rodeo required double-ambulance staffing alongside MedEx coverage for town calls. Plaskett expressed concern over employee exhaustion and personnel working shifts up to 19.5 hours a day.

“Nineteen and a half hours a day is not sustainable for anyone,” Plaskett stated.

Cooley explained that state licensing regulations leave little choice. The State of Nevada mandates that certified EMS providers maintain continuous 24-hour coverage, 365 days a year. Failing to cover an ambulance requires a “brown-out,” which is a temporary reduction of coverage due to shortages.

“Burnout is becoming a big issue,” Cooley said. “We make it work…right now we’re just kind of running into a brick wall probably because we’re really tired. We can only live off nicotine and caffeine for so long.”

Cooley noted that staff members Griffin Bussian and Brent Jones are completing paramedic training. While McKay praised developing local paramedic capabilities as “unheard of” for rural districts, Cooley warned that higher qualifications without workload relief could lead to departures.

“They will be paramedics. They can go anywhere, and they can get paid a lot more money,” Cooley said. “If we can’t figure out the burnout, then we’re going to lose them anyway.”

In response to inquiries regarding assistance from local mines, Cooley noted zero direct volunteer participation from mining staff on county shifts. EMS leadership is actively pursuing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with mining operations to establish emergency support. To support regional training, commissioners approved a $1,500 Silver Sponsorship for the 2027 Rural Nevada Trauma Symposium in Elko.

Sheriff highlights swatting response, addresses recruitment hurdles

Eureka County Sheriff Miles Umina updated the commission on law enforcement operations, reporting four individuals in custody—three in Lander County and one awaiting sentencing in District Court on Sept. 18.

Umina debriefed the board on a recent “swatting” call targeting the elementary school. The hoax call prompted a rapid deployment, including off-duty deputies, four Nevada State Police troopers, three Nevada Department of Investigation detectives, Department of Transportation road closures and the Elko Bomb Squad on standby.

“It actually worked out quite well. We learned quite a bit with it,” Umina said, commending coordination between law enforcement, school administrators and EMS personnel.

Addressing department staffing, Umina reported the resignation of a dispatcher in training who relocated out of the county. When Schoenwald asked about implementing employment contracts to recoup training costs, District Attorney Ted Beutel cautioned against the approach.

“You can get a contract, but you can’t enforce it,” Beutel explained, noting courts view such agreements as unenforceable indentured servitude.

To build long-term stability, Umina emphasized lateral hires and developing local incentive programs to encourage youth to pursue public safety careers. To modernize communications ahead of a planned Spring 2027 transition, commissioners approved $50,430 from Capital Outlay for four stationary P25 radios and four portable radios. Outreach efforts also continue, including a Sheriff’s Office barbecue in Pine Valley on Sept. 16 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Public works tackles washouts, infrastructure and $1.9M well project

Road Department Supervisor Scooter Mentaberry and Public Works Director Jeb Rowley detailed maintenance and capital projects completed across the county.

In Crescent Valley, crews graded six miles of Dean Dann Spa Road and ten miles of Frenchie Road, while clearing cattleguards at Cottonwood Canyon. Eureka crews graded Hogpen, Fiorenzi Ranch Road, Newark Pass Road, Secret Pass Road and Rattle Canyon Road. Emergency responses included rebuilding Fish Creek Road shoulders following a downpour that dropped 1.25 inches of rain in 45 minutes, as well as providing heavy equipment for the Todd Farm fire.

Commissioners formally ratified a three-year MOU with Nevada Gold Mines LLC (NGM) for routine maintenance on county roads heavily impacted by mining traffic through June 30, 2029, with NGM funding up to $410,131.00 annually. Addressing JD Ranch Road feedback, Mentaberry noted the thoroughfare averages 200 vehicles daily, seven days a week. Maintenance has been challenged by a disabled water source along the middle stretch, though crews continue regular blading and plan to apply magnesium chloride. Additionally, the board approved submitting a proposed Bill Draft Request (BDR) regarding the de minimis use of water for road maintenance.

Commissioners formally approved several major public works and water mitigation actions during the meeting. These included ratifying Work Change Directives No. 3 and No. 4 under contract with Parsons Drilling, Inc. for the Kobeh Valley Well and Transmission Main Project, totaling an estimated $1,931,375.00 funded through the Water Mitigation Fund. The board also accepted an engineering proposal from Lumos and Associates, not to exceed $38,500.00, for valley gutter replacement and pavement maintenance at the Eureka Airport. Additionally, commissioners ratified $7,000.00 paid to Day Engineering for water modeling and mapping evaluations near the airport and SR 278, while approving a 3/4-inch residential water meter service application for APN 007-380-46 within Devil’s Gate GID District 1.

Director Rowley reported ongoing ISO fire hydrant testing, progress on the Crescent Valley walking track (now 50% complete), pool coping installation scheduled for mid-October and confirmation that all federal flood reimbursement funds have been fully received. Rowley noted volunteer fire departments responded to 84 calls through August, with weekend activity driving peak volume.

Facility improvements, animal control and county administration

Commissioners approved several capital improvement contracts and facility updates across county properties. The board entered into a contract with Custom Painting & Decorating Inc., not to exceed $99,760.00, for the exterior repainting of the Eureka County Courthouse. In addition, commissioners accepted proposals from YESCO totaling $16,010.00 to replace wall signage at the Eureka Senior Center and Fannie Comp Senior Center for $4,378.00 and to install a new double-sided monument sign at the Eureka Medical Clinic for $11,632.00.

The board approved a $5,000 donation to Healthy Paws of Eureka following a request by representative Cindy Beutel for local spay, neuter and animal welfare services, matching the county’s 2025 contribution. Beutel noted an opportunity to obtain free bulk pet food monthly from Reno, provided local transport and storage can be arranged.

In administrative actions, commissioners approved the double-fill of an occupied position in the Clerk Recorder’s Office alongside its position justification form. Human Resources Director Cristina Lopez reported three active job postings, positive employee feedback on 4/10 work schedules and ongoing internal file audits.

Chief Information Officer Misty Rowley detailed IT updates, including installing an AT&T fiber circuit at the Sheriff’s Office for updated 9/11 Vesta emergency systems, evaluating FirstDigital service agreements, Zscaler cybersecurity reviews and SharePoint portal deployments.

Natural Resources Manager Jake Tibbitts briefed the board on community meetings regarding i80 Gold traffic on SR 278, ongoing sage grouse habitat restoration on Roberts Mountain and a Sagebrush Ecosystem Council decision denying a mitigation exemption for a proposed Mt. Wheeler Power transmission line. Tibbitts also announced that the Nevada Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for Oct. 8 regarding BLM appeals over Diamond Valley water adjudication.

Editor’s Note: An earlier reference stating that ambulance coverage gaps carry an immediate risk of state license revocation—and that Crescent Valley previously experienced a permit revocation—has been revised. Nevada EMS Office Manager Bobbie Sullivan clarified during the Sept. 15 county commission meeting that the state has no plans to revoke Eureka County’s operating permit, and that Crescent Valley’s permit was consolidated under a single countywide permit several years ago to streamline operations, not revoked due to coverage failures.