County navigates legislative changes, boosts infrastructure and services

The Eureka County Commission convened on June 17.

Update on 2025 Nevada Legislative Session

County Assessor Michael Mears reported on the Nevada Legislative Session, noting Governor Joe Lombardo set a new record with 87 vetoes out of 605 bills, surpassing his 2023 record of 76. Many bills didn’t even reach final floor votes, despite over 900 Bill Draft Requests (BDRs) at the session’s start.

Key bills that did not pass included an extension of benefits for surviving spouses of veterans, SB80 regarding motor carrier liability insurance, and SB172, the Agricultural Workers’ Bill of Rights. However, SB116 (the salary bill) and AB479 (impacting Diamond Valley) were signed into law.

Mears also highlighted the passage of SB36 and AB104, which formally establish a groundwater rights retirement program for over-pumped basins. While currently unfunded, this program can accept gifts, grants, and potentially receive funding through the Conserve Nevada bond program, which typically supports conservation efforts like trails and campgrounds. Future appropriations and federal grants, similar to past American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, are also potential sources. The program will prioritize over-appropriated and over-pumped basins like Diamond Valley to resolve conflicts and mitigate environmental impacts.

Elected officials see salary increases

Effective July 1, 2025, Eureka County Commissioners approved new salaries: Commissioners at $30,000, District Attorney at $136,417, and Clerk/Recorder, Assessor, and Treasurer/Public Administrator each at $80,612. The Sheriff’s salary was set at $100,598 to comply with SB116, requiring elected officials’ salaries to be 3% higher than their highest-paid supervisee. The Justice of the Peace salary increased by $5,194 to $60,278.85, consistent with past practice of linking it to commissioner salary increases. 

Senior Centers

Senior Centers director Linda Gordon reported the centers are supporting Alzheimer’s Month. She’ll be taking Eureka seniors to Virginia City at the end of June, with Bingo Support Fund monies paying for everything. In September, she’ll go with the Crescent Valley Golden Oldies to Las Vegas.

The Senior Centers deposited $13,767.97 for the month of May, with the Eureka Center serving 742 meals and Crescent Valley 747. Gordon said everything is “running smooth,” and the Crescent Valley medical trips are “doing really good,” with “word getting out” that it’s not just for seniors. 

EMS

Nichole Cooley, EMS Director/Coordinator, reported on the May activities for Eureka and Crescent Valley, highlighting service runs, patient care initiatives, and staffing challenges.

In May, Eureka recorded 18 service runs and Crescent Valley had eight. Eureka also had one MedEx run, while Crescent Valley had three. The ambulance service provided standby for one event and generated $3,900 in revenue. Clinic visits for the month totaled 347 for Eureka and 29 for Crescent Valley.

Cooley emphasized efforts to engage the community, including initiating patient follow-ups in Eureka. After a call, EMS personnel check in with patients to ensure they have necessary resources, are connected with appropriate contacts, and their vitals are stable. Cooley noted the challenge of connecting with clinics but aims to provide support, such as portable printers for Medicaid forms, especially for elderly residents lacking computer access.

Commissioner Michael Schoenwald raised the issue of a full-time EMT’s resignation in Crescent Valley. Cooley explained that the on-call schedule was incompatible with the EMT’s family life. She acknowledged the difficulty in retaining staff, especially volunteers, noting, “We cannot make volunteers volunteer their time.”

Cooley has interviews scheduled for the Crescent Valley opening and a “floater” position between Eureka and Crescent Valley. A significant hurdle is the lack of local housing for applicants. Cooley mentioned considering installing a bunk bed at the Crescent Valley ambulance office to accommodate staff from out of town during their shifts.

Adam Barron, the resigning Crescent Valley EMT, will continue to volunteer and assist with training. However, Barron voiced concerns about the demanding on-call requirements, stating, “You have to stay within 10 minutes of the station even when you’re off.” He averaged “300 hours on call every two weeks” and found the current MedEx coverage insufficient.

Cooley believes that with a new full-time employee and a floater, the staffing issues can be managed. Jeremy Rice questioned the feasibility of staff “sitting at the ambulance bay” during their shifts.

Rice also inquired about collaboration with Guardian Flight, which provides 24/7 paramedic services at the mine. Cooley expressed caution about relying on them to avoid depleting the mine’s resources.

Laura Shivers advocated for four paramedics in Eureka to ensure rotation and prevent burnout, to which Chairman McKay responded by questioning the staffing level needed for only eight calls per month and the associated housing challenges.

Cooley clarified that the eight days of MedEx coverage per month are currently free. However, exceeding this could incur significant costs, potentially leading to a $100,000 annual contract. The commission discussed whether to pursue a contract service with MedEx in lieu of full-time employees. Rice suggested obtaining multiple bids for contract services, including from Guardian Flight, given their ability to use existing equipment.

Cooley reported that 11 individuals enrolled in the EMR class, with nine successfully passing, and two of those are applying to be drivers. She is also in discussions about a cadet/explorer program with the high school, aiming to allow students interested in medical fields to gain prerequisites with EMS. This program requires formal development and school board approval.

Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Miles Umina reported a positive experience with the motorcycle group that visited Eureka on June 6, noting they were “respectful” and “spent quite a bit of money.” A minor incident involving a knocked-over motorcycle at Sundown Lodge was attributed to a deer. Chairman McKay noted there were concerns about strippers, but said they aren’t against the law.

The Cops and Kids events were successful. Dalton Kemp, a native Eurekan, joined the Sheriff’s Office and will attend the POST Academy in July, a local hire Umina was pleased to make.

The Sheriff’s Office conducted 468 traffic stops since January 1. They’re focusing on traffic enforcement, with increased patrols on Highways 306 and 278, particularly north on 278, with new Crescent Valley staff. The Sheriff’s Office remodel awaits a door frame to be completed.

Road Department

Raymond Hodson, Assistant Public Works Director, provided a comprehensive update on road maintenance, facility operations, and community activities for Eureka and Crescent Valley.

Road Department Activities

The Road Department completed work on Fish Creek and Todd Roads, and blading operations moved to JD before returning to Eureka. Crews are currently blading between 3 Bars and the Roberts Creek turnoff, and have completed Gable Canyon and Whistler, are working on Henderson Pass, and finished fire brick maintenance around Eureka. The screening plant was dismantled for maintenance. Weed spraying is ongoing, and significant time was spent at the fairgrounds installing gates. The north end crew finished Maggie Creek and moved to the Geothermal Road, utilizing cement grinds for the road to the geothermal plant. A new employee in Crescent Valley is working in the JD area. Caterpillar provided three days of training using county blades.

Car counts showed 181 vehicles daily between Hwy. 278 and JD Lodge, 194 between the Lodge and Horse Canyon, and 80-90 on Grass Valley Road. Hodson noted an increase in traffic on Roberts Creek Road. Sheriff Umina suggested radar speed checks during blading operations for safety.

Discussions arose regarding Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) funding for mag chloride on JD Ranch Road for dust suppression. While bulk application across the 36-mile road is generally avoided, Public Works is open to coordination with NGM. Jeremy Rice highlighted the safety concerns due to dust on the narrow road, emphasizing the need for suppression to prevent accidents.

Community Facilities and Services

The Opera House had 751 event attendees in May, including various contests and ceremonies, plus 122 other visitors. The Opera House will be temporarily unstaffed from June 12-21, reopening for Missoula Children’s Theatre auditions on June 23 and performances on June 28. The Eureka swimming pool reported 73 daily swimmers, one party rental, 35 senior citizen swimmers, and 13 swim team youths in May.

The landfill received 549 municipal solid waste deliveries (613 yards) in Eureka and 237 (1524 yards) in Crescent Valley. Carpet cleaning of county facilities is ongoing, with various buildings scheduled through late June.

Ongoing Projects and Regulations

Public Works and Road Department staff are addressing in-house projects while others are on annual leave. The Eureka utility project, including storm drain work behind the elementary school, is on target. In Crescent Valley, work on Airport and 8th will commence the first week in August. Consumer Confidence Reports for municipal water systems have been submitted for approval and will accompany July water bills. Stage 1 burn restrictions for public lands will begin July 1, with county burn bans aligning accordingly.

Natural Resources

Natural Resources Manager Jake Tibbitts provided updates on various projects impacting Eureka County, including mining, water management, military activities, and energy development.

Mining and Water Management

The BLM NEPA process for Barrick’s Bullion Underground Exploration Project is commencing, which will necessitate increased dewatering. Tibbitts is working with Barrick to mitigate road impacts and avoid conflicts.

Regarding the Humboldt River Basin, the State Engineer’s office is pushing for formal action to address groundwater pumping that impacts the river’s flow, affecting Eureka’s agriculture and mining, including Crescent Valley’s water supply. The Humboldt River Working Group is exploring a water market approach, allowing groundwater users to offset impacts by purchasing and leaving decreed water in the river. This aims to manage conflicts arising from groundwater pumping upstream of the Palisade Gauge. Tibbitts also engaged with the I80 mine on their open pit project’s substantial dewatering plans, advocating for county involvement in water management design.

Military Land Use and Grazing

Tibbitts attended a meeting for the Fallon Range Training Complex, which is proceeding with grazing closures and fencing bombing ranges, including Bombing Range 17, impacting Eureka County ranchers. While a legislated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approved the modernization, it includes compensation for grazing losses.

Permitting Streamlining and Legal Precedents

At the federal level, executive orders are streamlining certainvpermitting, with the BLM now required to permit projects deemed as energy crisis related within 14 days. While no current Eureka County projects are designated for this fast-track, Tibbitts anticipates future geothermal projects might fall under this expedited process, potentially limiting local engagement. He also noted a recent Supreme Court decision that significantly narrowed NEPA requirements, making future environmental challenges more difficult.

Wildlife and Transmission Projects

NDOW released bighorn sheep in the Cortez Range, though Tibbitts expressed concern about a lack of communication from NDOW regarding the release, noting that mining project permittees were unaware of the sheep’s presence.

The NV Energy Greenlink North Transmission Project Final EIS was issued with a protest deadline. Tibbitts raised concerns about impacts to public roads and the BLM requiring rights-of-way on existing county roads, potentially creating title disputes. Additionally, sage grouse mitigation will affect land uses, grazing, and mining, with Eureka County potentially bearing the cost. Tibbitts advocated for a partnership approach with NV Energy to develop a community development agreement rather than protesting, as a protest could limit the county’s ability to gain benefits. The commission decided to respond rather than protest, with Tibbitts preparing a letter for the next meeting.

Eureka County Commissioners approved

• The agenda notice with addition of any emergency item and/or deletion of any item.
• Minutes of the May 20, 2025, commission meeting.
• Expenditures of $3,106,196.21, including payroll of $249,350.66 and pass-throughs of $85,001.83, including $466.93 to the Nevada Department of Taxation Room Tax; $73,514.79 to the Nevada State Controller-School Taxes; $9,240.11 to the Nevada State Controller; $430 to the Nevada Division of Minerals; $150 to the Washoe County Crime Lab and $1200 to the N1 Grazing Board.
• Appointing the Honorable Judge Dorothy Rowley as a member of the Nevada Local Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council for the upcoming meeting cycle beginning August 1, 2025.
• A request by the Lion’s Club for a waiver of fees for the use of the Opera House for the Eureka High School girls track team state championship dinner that was held on June 1, 2025.
• Granting Chief Information Officer Misty Rowley the authority to sign, outside of the meeting, the Addendum 5.1 from Quest to clarify payment terms for the Service Level Agreement dated January 31, 2017.
• Updates to the Public Works Facilities Operations Assistant Casual job description; the Public Works Facilities Parks and Events Manager job description; the Public Works Swimming Pool Supervisor job description; the Public Works Assistant Director-Buildings and Utilities job description; the Public Works Administrative Assistant Series job description.
• A hiring freeze waiver for the Public Works Facilities Parks and Events Manager.
• A hiring freeze waiver for the Public Works Facilities Operations Assistant Casual position.
• A promotional waiver for the Public Works Senior Administrative Assistant.
• The Fourth Amendment to the Voting System Agreement between Eureka County and Dominion Voting Systems, Inc.
• Accepting the updated license for the Dominion Express Server and quote for the 5.20 smart cards in the amount of $4,427.50 with The Secretary of State reimbursing the full cost.
• Approval of MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with NGM  (Nevada Gold Mines, LLC) for road maintenance on Eureka County roads utilized by NGM, including authorization for the Public Works Director to secure all required signatures outside of the meeting. The MOU is for an initial three-year term with the option of one additional three-year term and reflects NGM’s commitment to fund an annual amount of $231,568.00.
• A Hiring Freeze Waiver Justification and, contingent upon securing all Eureka County and NGM signatures, authorizing recruitment and hiring of an equipment operator to meet Eureka County’s obligations under the road maintenance MOU.
• Modifications to the funding mechanism for the Fiscal Year 2026 SERC OPTE Grant (applied for by LEPC and approved by the Board of County Commissioners on March 18, 2025) and providing affirmation that the board authorizes LEPC to proceed with steps to secure and administer the grant funding.
• Authorizing Public Works to advertise a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFQ) to identify and approve a list of qualified contractors for Eureka Town Water’s 1.2 million gallon storage tank re-paint with responses to the RFQ to be opened in the Public Works office and a recommendation for recommended contractors to be presented at a  future board meeting.
• Filing a Response to Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP) and Gather Environmental  Assessment for the Antelope and Triple B Complexes.