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A public health issue involving “human waste disposal” in Crescent Valley, mounting pressure on infrastructure from an impending mining boom and sheriff’s office personnel changes highlighted the Oct. 7 Eureka County Commission meeting.
Public health
Public testimony and agency reports highlighted health and safety concerns.
A Crescent Valley resident delivered a plea during public comment, describing an “ongoing issue…in regard to human waste disposal.”
The resident detailed those living on properties without proper plumbing, citing fears of “human excrement in the ground in your area in water run-off,” which poses a direct threat to gardens and general sanitation. Evans stressed the problem isn’t on the outskirts but on “paved roads with direct neighbors,” adding, “There’s more than a few in this town doing that.”
Commissioner Mike Schoenwald acknowledged the situation. “It starts by you showing up and saying something. Thank you. We have been looking at it,” he responded, assuring Evans the issue is “more on the radar in the future.”
Corroborating Evans’ concerns, Shannon Ernst of the Central Nevada Health District reported that a formal complaint regarding “sewage dumpage” in Crescent Valley had been received. Ernst confirmed she is meeting with legal counsel and public works to determine how to proceed with enforcement.
Separately, the commission, sitting as the Eureka County Liquor Board, addressed issues at the Owl Club. Sheriff Miles Umina noted the establishment had failed to pay its $30 quarterly liquor license fee and that minors have been present in the bar. District Attorney Theodore Buetel advised the board to issue a formal notice to the license holder to rectify the situation before further steps are taken. A special meeting will be called to address the matter directly with the owner.
Navigating the pressures of a mining boom
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the cascading effects of expanding mining operations.
Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) Director Tracy Larkin Thomason appeared before the board to discuss the state’s engagement process. Public Works Director Jeb Rowley immediately raised concerns about Highway 278, pointing to its degrading shoulders and narrow width. “With the price of gold and expansion of projects” and an increase in haul trucks, Rowley voiced safety concerns, especially regarding “hazardous material transport” on a road with no shoulders. “It will be a more significant issue in the upcoming years,” he warned.
Thomason acknowledged the problem, stating she is working with the mining association to map impacted roads and explore partnerships to fund improvements. However, she highlighted NDOT’s financial constraints, noting that fuel tax revenues have been outpaced by a 58% increase in costs, severely reducing their “buying power.” Thomason reported a $1.2 million price tag to build worker homes, and also mentioned the need to relocate the maintenance station, which she described as “one stroke away from being condemned.”
A housing shortage, another byproduct of the mining boom, was a central theme. Natural Resources Manager Jake Tibbitts reported that i-80 Gold is preparing for an influx of 600 to 650 new people and has hired a full-time community engagement specialist based in Eureka. The company is partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno’s Center for Economic Development to create a community-driven strategy to manage the growth.
Tibbitts also highlighted the Nevada Attainable Housing Account, a state program with a $25 million matching fund for local governments to incentivize new housing subdivisions. “Housing has been an ongoing issue for a long time,” Tibbitts stated, suggesting the county could leverage these funds to address the impending need.
Sheriff’s office changes
A series of administrative changes within the Sheriff’s Office was approved. The commission approved converting a detective position to a sergeant position and changing Undersheriff Charles Cobb’s position from salaried to hourly.
Sheriff Umina explained the changes were part of a long-term plan to prepare for the population boom and the potential reopening of the county jail. Regarding Undersheriff Cobb’s conversion to an hourly employee, Umina cited a need to compensate for income lost when Cobb was promoted from a sergeant role where he was eligible for overtime. “We’re trying to bring him back to sort of what he was making before,” Umina said, estimating the change could potentially cost the county an additional $20,000 annually.
The decisions prompted criticism from former Sheriff Jesse Watts, which was read during correspondence at the end of the meeting. Watts claimed that the same board denied his request to convert a sergeant to a lieutenant outside the budget process. Watts argued the new sergeant position creates a bloated supervisory structure, with a “one-to-one ratio of supervisors to subordinates.”
Turning to Cobb’s pay conversion, Watts called the move “reckless,” stating his own similar request for a former undersheriff was “denied outright.”
Community and County Operations Updates
- New Recovery Meetings: Combat veteran Jesse Ciscar announced he is starting Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in Eureka County, filling a gap in local support services for addiction. “By joining together with our local leaders and community partners, we can create a safe space” for “long-term recovery,” Ciscar said.
- Ambulance Bids: The county received two vastly different bids for Crescent Valley’s emergency ambulance services. InterMountain Health/MedEx submitted a proposal for $300,000, while Guardian Health offered options ranging from $1.68 million to over $1.98 million. The bids were accepted for review, with a recommendation to follow.
- Raymond Hodson Retires: Assistant Public Works Director Raymond Hodson gave his final report after over 17 years of service. Officials honored him with a formal resolution, with Jeb Rowley stating, “Ray has been a leader of men… those impacts are long-lasting and we are going to miss you.”
Scooter Mentaberry has been hired as his replacement. - New HR Director: Newly hired Human Resources Director Cristina Lopez reported she is already working on reviewing county policies, streamlining the volunteer application process for EMS and planning for open enrollment.
Eureka County Commission approved:
The Agenda.
Minutes of September 16, 2025.
Expenditures of $4,683,057.05
Signing the Indigent Defense Financial Status Report for the 1st quarter of Fiscal Year 2025-26, which is due to the Department of Indigent Defense Services by October 15, 2025.
Contracting with Parsons Drilling Inc. for PWP-EU-2025-272, Test Borehole Drilling for Groundwater Exploration, Kobeh Valley Well and Transmission Main Project at a cost of $323,925, and authorize Director Jeb Rowley to sign the contract outside of the meeting.
A Proclamation declaring October 27th – 30th, as Red Ribbon Week commemorating the National Drug Prevention Campaign, with local events and activities sponsored by Eureka County Juvenile Probation.
Awarding the bid for the Eureka County Courthouse window project to Montrose Glass at a cost of $96,577.89 with authorization for Lester Porter to sign outside the meeting.
Exchanging the Sheriff Detective position for a Sheriff Sergeant position.
A hiring freeze waiver to post Sheriff Sergeant position.
Converting Undersheriff Charles Cobb from a Salary wage to an Hourly wage effective October 12, 2025.
A Resolution honoring Raymond Hodson for many years of service to Eureka County.
Purchase and installation of upgrades to repair and modify the overhead crane at the Eureka Road Shop, in an amount not to exceed $30,842.84, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay (042-140-55010-000) in the Capital Projects Fund.
Purchasing materials to construct additional space needed to relocate new rotary air compressor at the Road Shop, in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay (020-106-55010-000) in the Road Department budget.
Purchase of a rotary air compressor, in an amount not to exceed $14,056.00, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay (020-106-55010-000) in the Road Department budget.
A quote from Roe Paint to perform interior painting at the Eureka Senior Center in an amount not to exceed $17,996.00, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay (010-015-55010-000), in the Buildings & Grounds Fund.
A quote from Roe Paint to perform interior painting at the Eureka Medical Clinic in an amount not to exceed $35,608.00, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay (010-015-55010-000), in the Buildings & Grounds Fund.
Eequest from the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows to waive the facility fees for use of the Eureka Fairgrounds to sponsor a Poker Run on October 10th (set-up) and October 11th (event). Note: Waiver of fees does not include the refundable security deposit.
Natural Resources Manager applying to attend the National Association of Counties (NACo) Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange in Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco Counties, Oregon, December 1-3, 2025, focusing on successes and challenges related to renewable energy siting.
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