Commissioners receive investment updates, department reports on critical operations and future planning

The Eureka County Commissioners met July 1 at 9:30 a.m. with Chairman Rich McKay and Vice Chair Marty Plaskett in attendance and Commissioner Mike Schoenwald not present.

Cemetery clean-up faces challenges

John Fitzgerald and Mike Podborny with the Lion’s Club have been attempting to clean up older cemeteries in Eureka. Fitzgerald said, “Not this last Saturday but the Saturday before, we tried to clean up the old CW Schwamb cemetery.” However, “The cleanup needed is beyond our gardening tools that we have on hand. The sagebrush growth and the other patches that are growing out, we really need some assistance from the county to get this work done.” They have the volunteers but not the equipment.

Podborny said, “The greasewood and rabbit brush were three feet tall,” and it took them “four hours to do like six cemetery plots and get them at least visible.”

Fitzgerald said, “If it’s left to us and our gardening tools, that’s a five-year plan.”

Later in the meeting, Natural Resource Director Jake Tibbitts commented, “The county does hold some funding through BLM’s Community Assistance Grant, and it’s for more fuels-related projects within the woodland urban interface.” Tibbitts has been working with Public Works Director Jeb Rowley on “using those funds for the vegetation component of cemetery clean-up, so we kind of started down that path and had a local contractor that was going to help us with that.” Tibbitts said they’ve been using some of that funding for herbicide treatments on the Square Mountain habitat projects. Turning back to the cemeteries, he said, “There is a portion we can use” although it will be “fairly expensive.”

Clerk Kathy Bowling also noted that Larry MacMaster had been hired to map the cemeteries.

State makes $1 million oops

The commissioners approved expenditures of $2,733,755.98. When reviewing the financial statement, Vice Chair Plaskett noted a duplicate payment from the State of Nevada. County Comptroller Kim Todd explained the “State of Nevada paid us” for the 2023 flood “in May and then paid us again in June, and very soon the state controller reached out to the Treasurer’s Office and said ‘We overpaid you a million dollars. We need that money back right away.’”

Misty Rowley, chief information officer, related she worked on the July newsletter, newspaper article and social media and, along with system troubleshooting, has been working on server migration.

Eureka County Investment Funds update

Gregory Balls, CFA, of Meeder Public Funds, the firm managing Eureka County’s investments, presented an economic overview, beginning with Moody’s recent downgrade of the US Treasury from AAA to AA1. This loss of top credit status highlights a deeper concern: the government’s spending habits and future fiscal management.

Balls explained that the downgrade largely stems from the government spending at levels typically seen only during major crises like COVID-19 or World War II. The challenge lies in reining in this spending, as even proposed budget cuts are unlikely to make a substantial difference.

For the county’s investment portfolio, Balls emphasized that yields primarily control investment income. These yields are driven by the Federal Reserve (Fed), inflation, economic growth, and employment. He clarified that the Fed’s actions directly influence short-term rates, while investors determine longer-term rates.

The market anticipates Fed rate cuts, which would impact short-term yields. The Fed’s primary concern remains inflation, fearing a rapid rebound if rates are cut too quickly. Tariffs also pose a significant risk, potentially exerting upward pressure on inflation. Chairman Rich McKay questioned whether tariffs might prevent rate cuts. Balls responded that if tariffs are implemented, the Fed would adopt a “wait and see” approach; if inflation accelerates, they might pause or be less aggressive with cuts. Conversely, an economic slowdown without inflation would likely prompt earlier rate cuts, indicating a patient Fed strategy.

Balls noted that existing China tariffs surprisingly had little effect on inflation, but the impact of new tariffs is still unfolding. While recent month-over-month inflation has been low, new tariffs could still push prices upward. He also acknowledged that tariffs might reduce consumer spending, leading to downward pressure on inflation, and stressed the fluid nature of tariff policies.

Economic growth slowed to -.2% in Q1, largely due to tariffs, as businesses front-loaded imports to beat new levies, creating a “massive trade imbalance” that negatively impacted GDP. Balls stated that the long-term economic effects of the proposed tariffs are unprecedented and difficult to predict.

Employment, however, has remained resilient, staying below the full employment rate for over 43 consecutive months. Balls expects this trend to continue, though he reiterated that the Fed’s current focus is on inflation rather than employment.

Regarding the county’s investments, Balls reported that yields have decreased from their October 2023 peak but remain historically elevated compared to the last 17 years. This offers a good opportunity to purchase longer-dated securities for budget stability, a strategy Meeder Public Funds has employed for Eureka County, securing higher yields. He confirmed close coordination with County Treasurer Pernicia Johnson, noting $5 million in a money market fund for upcoming projects.

Balls anticipates rates will largely remain elevated. This allows the county to reinvest maturing securities at significantly higher yields, which will increase the county’s investment income. Eureka County is projected to receive $2.2 million in investment coupon payments. Balls concluded that the county is well-positioned, having secured stable yields and continuously seeking opportunities to enhance investment benefits.

Finally, on gold, Balls, while not an expert, stated that his analysis suggests gold will “remain elevated and to climb higher.” He linked this to the Q1 trade imbalance, where substantial gold imports from Europe contributed significantly to the negative GDP.

Sheriff’s report

Sheriff Miles Umina reported that on June 18 on their Traffic Day, the Sheriff’s Office focused across the county on “US50 here in town, 278, 306 and I-80,” with five deputies working over an eight-hour period, doing 54 traffic stops.

Umina said they are “going to do some focused enforcement on days we see there are issues.” It has been brought to his attention “that there are issues on JD Ranch Road.” Umina said after the last commission meeting, “Commissioner Schoenwald called me up and said one of our local businesses that was contracting with the mine out there was driving a water truck, and he got forced off the road by another contractor” driving with “excessive speed.” Umina said, “At least once a day, one of my crew’s trying to go up there and focus on JD Ranch Road.” The speed limit is 45 mph “unless otherwise posted on all county roads.” Umina asked the sergeants to find out from the mine when “there’s shift change, because that’s when we really need to focus.”

Asked how many stops were producing citations, Umina didn’t have the report but said, “From the one supervisor that’s been following it…it’s about 30% of the traffic stops. On a positive note, talking to the courts, they said that tickets that have been issued up to this point this year is significantly larger than they’ve seen in a very, very long time. Last year the difference between Crescent Valley and Eureka, there were approximately maybe 100 that were issued and 17 that were issued” for Eureka. “That has changed significantly.” The court “said they are getting inundated now.”

Turning to employment, the sheriff related that as of July 1, they are only down a lieutenant’s position, a detention deputy and one dispatcher, and they are “fully staffed on patrol,” which puts a “strain on field trainers. We need a bunch of field trainers for that many,” and he’s in the process of getting “a field trainer down here from Elko. It’s a train-the-trainer class.” Sheriff Umina said, “It’s really good news that we’re at that point.” Dalton Kent from Eureka and Kish Gidwani from Crescent Valley will be attending POST.

Umina noted, “This week is July 4, and we’re going to be heavily staffed that day between the traffic and people moving around town.”

Public Works report

Jeb Rowley, Public Works Director, said he had a “light crew on hand” as they were “getting ready for the Fourth.” Touching on the JD Road, Rowley related the MOU between the county and Nevada Gold Mines has all the signatures and they are recruiting for the position. There are currently two vacancies for the department. They just began advertising, and the Road Department’s Ray Hodson and HR Director Tasha Dunlap are overseeing the hiring.

The Eureka Town sign is under repair as it blew a battery and needs parts. He hopes to have it back online this week. The road crew in Eureka is filling in for other staff, including at the landfill. In Crescent Valley, they’re blading the Dry Hills Road and working on the JD Ranch Road before moving to the Rose Ranch Road.

The Road Shop is overhauling the screening plant and catching up at the fire stations. They obtained a temporary lane closure for the Fourth of July parade and, as NDOT’s sweeper broke down, the county sweeper was going to sweep Main Street, although NDOT would be providing flaggers. Rowley discussed various parade-related detours.

The Crescent Valley and Airport Road rehab has been pushed back to the first week in August.

There is a radio tech coming back on Thursday, July 3, to install a remote antenna on the Pinon site, “As we continue to work on the 278 corridor coverage. The coverage is there,” but “it is searching for signal.”

Rowley related the “burn ban is in effect as of today at 12:01 a.m.,” and the county is supporting all agency fire restrictions, such as those of the BLM and Forest Service.

Natural Resources report

The afternoon of July 1, Josh Tibbitts, Eureka County’s Natural Resources Manager, was slated to attend the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) kick-off meeting for Ormat’s new geothermal project. While the plant will be in Lander County, its access via Eureka County’s Geyser Road means Tibbitts will be evaluating potential impacts on the county road. The Eureka Natural Resource Advisory Committee is also scheduled to meet on July 9.

The state has issued the Ruby Hill Mine draft water pollution control permit, now open for public comment. Tibbitts forwarded this to Dale Bugenig for a water-focused review. The county also received two notices about geothermal lease sales, with the specific Eureka County lands to be offered still undetermined.

Tibbitts highlighted a significant study from the University of Idaho and the BLM that analyzed long-term grazing data in relation to sage grouse. This research, completed with agency assistance, appears to challenge long-held assumptions. Tibbitts explained that past grazing standards for sage grouse have been very restrictive, despite industry arguments about grazing’s potential benefits. The study “kind of flips the tables on a lot of the management agencies have been implementing related to livestock grazing. It essentially found that under the current management scheme, there’s no negative effects to sage grouse nests or leks” between grazed and ungrazed areas. Tibbitts believes this will be crucial for the ranching community, especially given the extensive focus on grazing standards in BLM Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). The county has consistently argued that an “inordinate amount of pages and times and standards and restrictions on something that’s not causing an impact to sage grouse” has been spent.

Chairman McKay questioned how this new science could be utilized. Tibbitts reminded the board that the county remains under the 2015 Sage Grouse plans. He noted that the previous administration considered adjusting these plans based on Western governors’ recommendations, but none of those proposals accounted for this new scientific data. The current challenge for the county is determining how to incorporate this “best available science” into BLM land use plan amendments without requiring a supplemental EIS.

Tibbitts explained that NEPA is the county’s primary tool for engaging in public land projects, where they serve as a cooperating agency. However, a recent federal district court decision determined that the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which previously oversaw NEPA regulations, lacked the authority to implement them. This means the blanket CEQ language has been repealed, compelling individual agencies like the BLM and Forest Service to now develop their own NEPA implementing regulations.

This situation presents a “mixed bag,” according to Tibbitts. While there’s support for streamlining NEPA, the county wants to ensure it doesn’t come “at the expense of local government engagement.” Tibbitts is preparing comments on the USDA and DOI’s draft NEPA regulations for the commissioners’ review. Hallie Dechambeau will present Natural Resources Department items at the next Commission meeting in Tibbitts’ absence.

Finally, Tibbitts provided an update on the Greenlink North Transmission Project. He drafted a letter to NV Energy outlining Eureka County’s decision to pursue “partnership and cooperation” instead of a protest, as initially recommended by the Natural Resource Advisory Commission. The letter summarizes key county concerns, including impacts on sage grouse, public roads, future growth, public lands, and socioeconomic considerations. Tibbitts will serve as the lead contact for these discussions. In contrast, Lander County and a consortium of environmental organizations are formally protesting the Greenlink Project.

Billing frustrations

Commissioner Plaskett reported ongoing issues with the William Bee Ririe Clinic’s billing department, noting a recurring attempt since February to bill his personal account for a fire department physical. He observed that challenges arise when utilizing a third-party billing system, and described their online system as ineffective.

Chairman McKay expressed concern that these billing difficulties are impacting patient retention. He acknowledged the quality of the providers and front office staff, but indicated that billing problems are prompting individuals to seek care outside the clinic, including in Ely and Reno.

Laura Shivers corroborated these experiences, stating that billing issues at William Bee were the reason her family changed providers. She added that these problems have been persistent since her relocation to the area in 2020.

Commissioner approvals

Minutes of the June 3, 2025, Commission meeting.
Continuing the weekend stipend for the District Attorney, Justice of the Peace and Public Defender in the amount of $450.00 per weekend for on-call pre-trial hearings (AB518). This fee was originally funded by the Department of Indigent Defense for two fiscal years and has expired effective June 30, 2025 (Note: The Department of Indigent Defense may still fund the Public Defender and District Attorney stipend, but they are waiting on a legal ruling from the State.).
A fee waiver for the Opera House usage fee of $50.00 per day for the nonprofit event called the Eureka Grant Summit which was hosted by the Eureka Nevada Main Street nonprofit organization, June 2-4, 2025.
Covering mileage and a hotel room for site visits of candidates for the Human Resources position.
A promotion request for the Assistant Public Works Director-Buildings and Utilities.
Permanently increasing Eureka County Sheriff’s Office Civil Process Administrator Grace Miller’s credit card to $2,000 due to recurring monthly fees and supply orders.
Quote from Mt. Wheeler Power in the amount of $25,274.00 for electrical service upgrades at the Eureka County Airport to allow for the construction of the new SRE (snow removal equipment) Building utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the airport budget.
A proposal from Lumos & Associates for engineering, administrative, and related services for the 1.25 million Gallon Storage Tank Re-Paint Project (Eureka Town Water System) for an amount not to exceed $26,360.00 utilizing funds budgeted for surveying and engineering in the Eureka Water/Sewer Utility Fund.
A quote from Innovative Communications Systems, LLC to replace sound system equipment at the Eureka County Fair Grounds in the amount of $87,288.04 utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the county commissioners’ budget.
Quote from Empire Southwest LLC and authorizing purchase of one 2025 CAT 420 Backhoe Loader under Eureka County’s OMNIA Purchasing Partners Contract (Member # 1029700) in the amount of $169,989.74 utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the Buildings & Grounds budget.