County eyes four-day work week

Commissioners appoint committee to study schedule change, amidst departmental concerns and support

A potential shift to a four-day, 10-hour work week for Eureka County employees dominated the Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Sept. 16, sparking a lengthy and nuanced discussion about efficiency, employee retention, and public service. While the proposal garnered significant support for its potential to improve work-life balance and operational effectiveness, concerns from key departments highlighted the need for a flexible, tailored approach.

The board ultimately voted to hold a public hearing on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. to consider changes to county ordinances and personnel policies that would facilitate the schedule change. In the interim, a committee spearheaded by County Assessor Mike Mears, Misty Rowley, and Cathy Bowling will explore the logistics, gather data, and present a comprehensive plan.

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The push for efficiency and retention

The discussion was initiated as a formal consideration to set a public hearing date, but it quickly evolved into a detailed debate on the merits and challenges of a compressed work week. County Assessor Mike Mears championed the change, recounting a previous unsuccessful attempt to implement a 4/10 schedule for his office. Mears argued that the vast, 4,200-square-mile county requires his staff to spend significant time traveling for appraisals.

“We spend just four hours traveling where we need to work and traveling back home,” Mears explained. Over a week, the extra two hours per day on a 4/10 schedule “adds up rather quickly,” translating to more time in the field, increased efficiency, and less wear and tear on county vehicles.

Mears also noted that his office sees minimal foot traffic for assessor business, with most inquiries handled online or by phone. The primary in-person service is for the DMV, and he believes extending daily hours from the proposed 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. would be “beneficial for school employees and mine employees” by providing a larger service window. He pointed to a statewide push for online DMV services, predicting that satellite offices like Eureka’s may eventually “go dark.”

The argument for the schedule change extended beyond operational efficiency. Misty Rowley highlighted its potential as a powerful tool for recruitment and retention, noting that the county has lost employees to the school district, which already operates on a four-day schedule. Kathy Bowling echoed this sentiment, suggesting it would foster a “better work-life balance” for employees.

Sheriff Miles Umina supported the proposal, framing it as a departmental decision. He argued that a 4/10 schedule would reduce the use of sick and annual leave, as employees could schedule appointments on their day off. “Give the power to the department heads and the elected officials to decide,” he urged, advocating for flexibility over a rigid, county-wide mandate.

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Departmental hurdles and a call for data

Despite the broad support, the proposal is not without its complications. Linda Gordon, director of the county’s senior centers, presented a significant obstacle. “We have to serve five meals a week,” she stated, explaining that seniors rely on the center being open on Fridays, and they receive food bank deliveries on Fridays. Gordon expressed serious concern that a 4/10 schedule would not be feasible for her department and could lead to casual staff quitting over reduced hours.

Public Works Director Jeb Rowley, whose department is already “90% there” with most staff on a 4/10 schedule, stressed the need for consistency and coordination between departments to avoid operational silos. The county comptroller’s office also raised logistical issues related to calculating overtime and managing legal holidays, suggesting it would be “beneficial to have everyone working the same hours.”

The commissioners acknowledged these varied perspectives. Commissioner Mike Schoenwald voiced his support, stating, “I’m in favor of it.”

Chairman Rich McKay, while “not against it,” called for a more thorough analysis. He endorsed Bowling’s idea of a committee to “hash things out and present options.” McKay requested data on how other Nevada counties have implemented similar schedules, the potential financial impact, and the effect on citizen services. Specifically, he wanted to see foot traffic data for offices like Public Works and the DMV on Fridays.

Newly introduced Human Resources Director Cristina Lopez assured the board she could quickly gather the requested information. “I can access that data very easily through HR organizations specific to Nevada,” Lopez said, estimating she could provide comparative data and scheduling options within 30 days.

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County welcomes new human resources director

The meeting also served as an introduction for Cristina Lopez, the county’s new human resources director. Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Lopez brings 25 years of HR experience from both the public and private sectors, most recently with the City of Las Vegas. She is poised to immediately tackle major initiatives, including the detailed analysis of the proposed four-day work week.

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New Eureka Sentinel Publisher Outlines Vision for Paper

Commissioners also heard from Ben Rowley, the new owner and publisher of the Eureka Sentinel. A journalism graduate from UNLV, Rowley purchased the historic newspaper in July 2024 and has been focused on reestablishing its web presence and local content. He announced the return of a monthly print edition, aiming to continue the Sentinel’s long legacy of community journalism.

Rowley, who owns three other newspapers in Nevada, proposed a working relationship between the county and the Sentinel, suggesting the newspaper could help amplify job openings and county-run community events and initiatives. McKay recommended Rowley connect with the IT department and the county’s public information officer to find some synergy, being part of the county’s efforts to relay information to the community.

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Departmental Updates and Community Projects

In other business, county departments provided a range of updates:

• Sheriff’s Office: Undersheriff Charles Cobb reported that while traffic stops are down, arrests have increased. He noted successful collaboration with the Department of Transportation for the VFW Car Show street closure and confirmed the office would provide coverage for the upcoming Wine Walk. Cobb also mentioned that he and Sheriff Umina are currently enrolled in a POST management class.
• Public Works: Jeb Rowley delivered a comprehensive report on landfill operations, pool and museum attendance, and various infrastructure projects. The 1.2-million-gallon municipal water tank repainting is set to begin in late September, and a pre-bid meeting was held for the courthouse window replacement project. Paving and road work in Eureka are scheduled to commence the week of Sept. 22. However, a bid opening for a groundwater exploration project in Kobeh Valley yielded no responses, prompting the commission to approve moving forward with direct vendor negotiations.
• Senior Centers: Director Linda Gordon reported that the centers collected $4,622.21 in August and served over 1,500 meals between the Eureka and Crescent Valley locations.
• Natural Resources: Director Jake Tibbitts provided extensive updates on water rights, grazing permit issues related to the Fallon Range Training Complex expansion, and the Maggie Creek Restoration Plan. He submitted scoping comments for the South Railroad Mining Project, emphasizing the need to address impacts on emergency services and local grazing permittees. Tibbitts also detailed ongoing issues with the Greater Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plans, noting that while some of the county’s concerns were addressed, problematic habitat metrics and a failure to incorporate recent grazing studies remain.

The meeting included a presentation from Dr. Loretta Singletary of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, on the “Where We Live Project.” The study aims to assess how rural communities in the Humboldt River Basin are coping with drought, heat, and wildfire. Dr. Singletary urged residents, particularly agricultural producers, to participate in the anonymous survey to provide robust data that can inform state and federal policy. Chairman McKay assured her of the county’s support in promoting the survey.

Eureka County Commissioners approved:

• Minutes of the August 19, 2025, and September 2, 2025, commission meetings.
• Expenditures of $2,415,445.85, including pass-throughs of Nevada State Controller School Taxes of $1,328,527.14; Nevada State Controller, $6,655.45; Nevada Division of Minerals, $170,100; Washoe County Crime Lab, $255 for a total pass-through of $1,452,537.
• Setting a public hearing on Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. to consider the matter of the fair market value of the  County real property proposed to be leased to the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows to build a Boys  & Girls Club in Eureka County, including a discussion of whether to accept the single appraisal report from  Janelle Wright, Certified General Appraiser, for a portion of APN 001-221-14, and the setting of a lease  value of that portion of the property designated as the site for construction of the Boys & Girls Club.
• A one-year contract extension with a limited scope of work with Dale C.  Bugenig, Consulting Hydrogeologist, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00.
• Holding the Nov. 4 regular meeting in Crescent Valley.
• Renewal of the Dashlane Order Form for 50 users at $80 per license, for an annual recurring fee of $4,000.00, covering the term November 19, 2025, through November 18, 2026, and authorize the CIO to execute the agreement outside of the meeting.
• Purchase of the MS-ISAC paid membership for an annual fee of $995.00, covering the term October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, and authorizing the CIO to execute the agreement outside of the meeting.
• Renewal of Quote #26595492 for Mimecast in the amount of $32,324.35 for the term December 20, 2025, through December 19, 2026, and authorize the CIO to execute the agreement outside of the meeting.
• A fee waiver for the use of the Crescent Valley Community Center Oct. 3-5 for the Annual Harvest Festival.
• A contract with Lumos & Associates for Eureka Town Phase 2C  beginning design, in an amount not to exceed $82,760 utilizing monies budgeted for surveying and engineering in the Regional Transportation Commission Fund (025-110-55010-357) and the Eureka Water & Sewer Fund (045-177/178-55010-357), and authorize the chairman to sign the  contract outside of the meeting. Note: This is to kick off design with topographic survey and updated 30% to provide updated OPCC (Opinion of Probable Construction Cost).
• A one-time credit card increase for Sheriff Miles Umina and Undersheriff Chad Cobb of $1,500.00 ($3,500.00 Total) for the month of October to attend the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs conference in Las Vegas.