County officials address salary increases, community news and key departmental updates

The Eureka County Commission convened on June 3 for its regular meeting, addressing a range of crucial topics including legislative impacts on elected officials’ salaries, local news publication dynamics and updates from county departments. Key outcomes included the passage of a bill affecting county officials’ pay, the approval of a significant insurance renewal and progress on critical infrastructure and public safety initiatives.

Sheriff Miles Umina informed the commission that Senate Bill 116, a piece of legislation concerning elected officials’ salaries, successfully passed the Nevada Legislature and has been signed into law by Governor Joe Lombardo. Effective July 1, elected officials within Eureka County—including the District Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Assessor, Treasurer, Recorder and Commissioners—will be eligible to receive a cost-of-living adjustment 3 percent higher than the highest-paid employee, coupled with a 26 percent catch-up percentage.

Insurance Coverage and Fiscal Stewardship Praised

Representatives from Gregory Insurance, Leah Gregory and Anthony Barrington, alongside Marshall Smith of POOL PAC (Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool), provided a comprehensive review of Eureka County’s insurance coverage. Smith commended Eureka County for being “good stewards of the public funds,” noting that POOL PAC serves 144 public entities across Nevada. He highlighted the county’s effective use of the Enterprise Risk Management Grant Program and recognized Comptroller Kim Todd’s service on the POOL Executive Committee.

Eureka County’s involvement in POOL PAC’s Enterprise Risk Management Excellence Program, championed by Public Works Director Jeb Rowley, is set to make the county eligible for a $35,000 program award upon completion. The commission approved the renewal proposal from Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool, authorizing a payment of $479,782.43 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, representing a modest 0.36 percent increase.

IT Department Advances Digital Operations

Misty Rowley, the county IT director, reported continued progress on the migration of the county’s email exchange system to Microsoft 365. Her team has also been actively troubleshooting a camera issue, preparing content for the June newsletter and social media and collaborating with Cybernetworks to establish a computer network for the local dental clinic. Additionally, fiber optic internet service is now live at the Crescent Valley Clinic.

Sponsorship for Local Newspaper

The Eureka County Star sought county sponsorship for a weekly section titled “Commissioners News and Notes.” The Eureka County Star requested $100 per week to provide “factual commission information on new or ongoing projects to the community.”

Trina Machacek, owner, publisher and editor of the Eureka County Star, explained that the proposed section would cover commission news and a market report vital for the county’s gold-based economy. She emphasized the community’s desire for information and offered a “nonprofit discount” for county advertisements.

This reporter expressed some concerns during public comment regarding the proposal. Those included the perception that the county government was subsidizing the paper’s coverage of county news and the conflict of interest that this presented.

Chairman Rich McKay expressed support for both the Star and The Eureka Sentinel. He stated he was “open to this” but would “welcome the Sentinel to come give us a proposal for a similar type of arrangement.”

Commissioner Schoenwald said, “It’s along the lines of advertisement. I like to get the word out, and I know a lot of people don’t like online.”

There was then further discussion about having sufficient content to fill the paper.

Schoenwald motioned for the idea to be vetted for six months, and the motion passed unanimously.

District Attorney Initiates Succession Planning

District Attorney Ted Beutel presented a forward-thinking plan to create a robust succession strategy for his office, requesting to fill two deputy district attorney positions. Beutel recounted his own difficult transition into the role in 1999, where he inherited a full caseload with no prior knowledge, an experience he wishes to spare future officials.

“I want to create the environment where every elected official, and frankly every department head, has the opportunity to come before you when they realize what’s going to happen and talk to you about what the transition should look like,” Beutel explained. He clarified that one of the new positions would be funded by converting existing contract services money into salary and benefits, giving the board “absolute authority to review that over time because it’s not a fixed position.”

Sheriff Umina supported the request, affirming the candidates Beutel has in mind as “great candidates.” Beutel noted that one candidate has not yet passed the bar exam (scheduled for July) and would receive a lesser salary until licensed. He also highlighted the urgent need for additional manpower due to the departure of the attorney who handled domestic violence cases, which require significant resources and jury trials. The commission approved hiring both a recent law school graduate to start in August 2025 (under Nevada Supreme Court Rule 49.5, at a salary between $85,000-$120,000) and a second deputy district attorney using a portion of the contract services budget.

Sheriff’s Office Engages Community, Boosts Enforcement

Sheriff Umina updated the commission on several initiatives. The annual “Cops and Kids” event was scheduled for June 10 in Crescent Valley and June 12 in Eureka. Undersheriff Charles Cobb reported the “Cops Versus Kids” night on June 1 in Eureka was a success, drawing 37 enthusiastic youths. Umina remarked, “I think it was just as much fun for us as it was for the kids…It’s controlled chaos.”

Cobb also reported over 300 traffic stops in Eureka in the past month, with approximately 40 percent resulting in citations. The department is considering joining the state’s “Joining Forces” program, a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement initiative that provides overtime funding for deputies to cover impaired driving, distracted driving, pedestrian safety, speeding and seat belt enforcement across I-80 and Highways 306 and 278. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office is stepping up ATV enforcement as “kids are running everywhere” with school out. Umina suggested seeking grant funding to improve OHV trails, aiming to make Eureka a destination for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts.

In preparation for a large group of POBOBs, a motorcycle gang, visiting Eureka from June 6 to June 9, Sheriff Umina is increasing staff over the weekend. Construction on the Sheriff’s Office building wall is partially complete, and Undersheriff Cobb now has his own office. A deputy is currently training with the police dog and will receive canine pay upon certification.

Public Works Addresses Infrastructure and Safety

Public Works Director Jeb Rowley provided updates on departmental activities. The Buildings and Grounds and Water Department crews have been actively spraying weeds. A sanitary survey with the NDEP for Crescent Valley’s water system and arsenic treatment plant is scheduled for July 15. Traffic counters have been deployed on the JD Ranch Road.

The shop crew has completed servicing fire station vehicles, with the exception of a transmission replacement scheduled for a Crescent Valley EMS pickup. Montrose Glass will handle upcoming windshield replacements. Fire extinguisher training was conducted on June 4 at the Opera House.

A major radio project spanning May 22-31 involved reconfiguring dispatch consoles and digital/analog channels across departments to improve radio functionality. Mutual aid channels for emergencies were established, with training completed for county departments, and non-disclosure agreements secured for all users of county equipment. Dispatch now has enhanced capabilities to identify the geographical area and repeater used on incoming traffic. Efforts are ongoing to address audio quality for Crescent Valley and Beowawe.

Future plans include establishing MOUs on shared frequencies, conducting an inventory of radio assets and developing a capital improvement plan for equipment replacement. Rowley noted challenges with the 800 system used by EMS and NDOT, which does not integrate with other county radios due to differing frequencies. The department awaits state guidance on opening up areas and plans to combine 911 telephone and radio traffic into a single headset.

Natural Resources Monitors Cricket Activity, Attends Key Meetings

Hallee Dechambeau provided the Natural Resources Department update, focusing on collaborative efforts with the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to manage Mormon cricket spray blocks in Pine Valley and west of Emigrant Pass on I-80. Spraying is anticipated to begin next week, pending verification of cricket presence and size.

Dechambeau also noted that the county was invited to participate in the Bullion Hill Exploration NEPA meeting on June 5, with Natural Resources Manager Jake Tibbitts attending virtually. Tibbitts is also scheduled to attend the Invasive Annual Grass Management Field Workshop in Elko on June 10 and the Nevada Division of Water Resources’ annual Humboldt River Basin Water Management meeting on the same day. The Fallon Range Intergovernmental Executive Committee meeting is set for June 9 and the NRAC will convene on June 11.

Commission approvals

Minutes of the April 29, 2025 meeting.
Expenditures of $1,112,440.81
Authorizing the Eureka County District Attorney’s Office to use a portion of that department’s budget to contract for phlebotomy services.
A proclamation declaring June 9-15, 2025 as Men’s Health Week and encouraging participation in Wear Blue Day on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Ratifying the Indigent Defense Annual Financial Status Report, due to the department in May 2025.
Appointing Nichole Cooley as Eureka County representative (replacing Rich McKay) and affirming Jeb Rowley as Eureka County representative on the Board of Health for the Central Nevada Health District and providing written notice to CNHD.
Amendment #1 to the approved contract between the Department of Health and Human Services and Eureka County Social Services, dated January 9, 2024, which will increase the maximum amount from $39,594.46 to $83,752.05 due to increased medical care costs.
Granting the IT director authority to sign outside of the meeting the Addendum 5 Service Renewal from Quest for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
Ratifying previous credit card increases of $1,000 for Stephen Zimmerman and $500 for Irene Davila during the month of May for Grad Night purchases.
Out-of-state travel for Stephen Zimmerman and Irma Davila to Orlando, Florida, on July 11-14, 2025, for Kagan Social Emotional Learning Training.
A credit card increase of $1,000 for Stephen Zimmerman and $1,000 for Irma Davila for the months of June and July for the purchase of flights and hotel costs for Kagan training in Orlando, Florida, on July 11-14, 2025, with funds to be reimbursed by the PACE Coalition.
Allowing the county clerk to enter an MOU with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Eureka County Seventh Judicial District Court to formalize their collaboration in the implementation of the Nevada Court System (NCS) project, which would include an annual sum of $2,500 per user ($10,000 for four users) of the Court View 3 case management service.
Updates to the assistant comptroller job description.
A promotional request for the assistant comptroller’s position.
Ratifying and signing the Forensic Support Services Agreement between Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Eureka County Sheriff’s Office for FY 2024/2025 in the annual amount of $10,997.
A change order for $3,126,375 to the Townsite Phase 2B Road & Utility Improvement Project GMP with Sierra Nevada Construction to be paid utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the Regional Transportation Commission Fund and authorizing Jayme Halpin, project manager, to sign documentation outside of the meeting.
Quote #020747(v.1) from Quest Technology.
Management for materials, hardware, software and installation of keypad access control and monitoring system at the Eureka Medical Clinic, for an amount not to exceed $5,772.25 (includes 15 percent contingency) to be paid with monies budgeted for capital outlay in the Buildings & Grounds budget.
Authorizing Chairman McKay, as representative of the Board of Eureka County Commissioners, to sign grant documents outside of the meeting related to the Federal Aviation Administration grant for the Snow Removal Equipment Storage Building & Windsocks Project. Note: Bids for this project were opened, and the project was awarded to the successful low bidder during the board’s April 29, 2025, meeting.
Additional funding for electrical upgrades to the new Philips x-ray machine at the Eureka Medical Clinic in an amount not to exceed $40,000, to be paid with funds budgeted for miscellaneous grants.
Providing comment on the Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project Final Environmental Assessment.
Response, including potential protest, of the Greenlink North Transmission Project Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Out-of-state travel for Tibbitts to attend the western region Council for Agricultural Research, Extension & Teaching (CARET) summer meeting at the University of Wyoming in Laramie June 24-26. Tibbitts is an appointed NV CARET delegate by the dean of the University of Nevada, Reno College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources (CABNR) and serves on the national CARET Executive Committee. Full expenses for travel, lodging, meals and per diem will be paid for by CABNR.