Eureka County adopts 4/10 workweek pilot, engages counsel in high-profile case

The Eureka County Commission, with Chairman Rich McKay and Commissioner Mike Schoenwald physically present and Commissioner Marty Plaskett attending via telephone, held a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Crescent Valley. The commissioners tackled a range of critical issues, including retaining legal counsel in a lawsuit against the county, approving a major change to county office hours and finalizing preparations for the next fiscal year.

County retains counsel in Watts lawsuit

The meeting began with the commission addressing a substantial nine-page legal complaint served by former Sheriff Jesse Watts against Eureka County (Case Number CV 2511-267).

Chairman McKay initiated the discussion, stating, “As everyone probably knows, we were served a nine-page legal complaint from former Sheriff Watts, and this is our response to acquire counsel to represent Eureka County.”

Commissioner Schoenwald noted that the recommended firm, Marquis Aurbach Chtd, already has institutional knowledge of the matter. “This is the counsel that already had some involvement in the case, so they’re already on board a little bit,” he said. Chairman McKay confirmed the firm was involved in previous public records requests related to the case. The commission unanimously approved retaining the law firm to represent Eureka County in the high-profile lawsuit.

Landmark shift to four-day workweek pilot program

In what stands as the most significant administrative action of the day, the commission approved a resolution pursuant to NRS 245.040 and NRS 252.050 to change the public operating hours for several key county offices to a four-day, 10-hour-per-day (4/10) workweek.

This change follows a rigorous process initiated on Sept. 16, when the county clerk, county assessor and chief information officer requested a committee be formed to study the viability of the change. A hearing was held on Nov. 18, and crucial data on Friday foot traffic at the courthouse was collected.

The data overwhelmingly supported the change. Over 37 Fridays, the courthouse averaged fewer than four total in-person interactions, and more than half of all Fridays recorded zero visitors. Furthermore, a survey of all full-time county employees showed a majority preference for the Monday-Thursday, 4/10 schedule.

Based on these findings, the county commissioners determined that a 12-month pilot program, set to begin with the first pay period on January 4, 2026, would be in the best interest of both the citizens and employees of Eureka County.

The new schedule for the offices of the Eureka County Sheriff, assessor, clerk-recorder, treasurer and comptroller (auditor), district attorney and justice court will be:

• Days: Monday through Thursday
• Hours: 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
• Lunch Closure: 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Closed: Friday

The Public Works Department will also adopt the Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. schedule, but without a closure for lunch. Other county offices not mandated by NRS 245.040 or NRS 252.050 are authorized to adopt the 4/10 week, offer flex hours or maintain a traditional 5/8 work week, based on what best serves their departments and the community.

Advertising partnership with the Eureka Sentinel

The commission considered a proposal from Ben Rowley, publisher of the Eureka Sentinel, for the county to pay $360 a month for advertising county job postings and events.

Commissioner Plaskett voiced a preference for a “pay as you go type of advertising.” However, Chairman McKay argued for broader exposure, citing the complementary coverage provided by both the Star (covering the south end) and the Sentinel (covering the north end), in addition to the county’s website and social media channels. “The more we can get the word out on things, the better,” McKay noted.

Rowley clarified that the $360 was a proposed ceiling, “not necessarily that it would always be $360 a month as a flat fee, but it would be not to exceed that amount to be able to promote the county events that are under the county’s purview and the job postings.”

Chairman McKay proposed to “approve this for effective in January for the rest of the fiscal year and reevaluate it at the beginning of the next fiscal year.” The commissioners voted in favor of a “not to exceed” amount of $360 a month for the Eureka Sentinel. Commissioner Schoenwald confirmed that events originating from the Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board would also be included in this advertising plan.

Departmental updates: Technology and personnel

IT director Misty Rowley delivered a comprehensive technology update, highlighting progress on the newsletter, social media presence and upgrades to clerk workstations. Key ongoing projects include the design and set up of a contract management system, a new single sign-on project for the Human Resources NeoGov software and electronic door system schedules. Rowley reported successful collaboration with the sheriff’s department to complete the installation of new fingerprint equipment in both Eureka and Crescent Valley and celebrated Annelle Watts for passing her Comptia Network+ certification.

HR director Cristina Lopez updated the commission on the robust preparations for the 4/10 pilot program, including meetings with supervisors and employees to ensure readiness for January 4, 2026. Lopez detailed an aggressive schedule, including the first official HR visit to Crescent Valley and continued work on a volunteer program management system for Fire and EMS. Excitingly, she reported that the transition of paper new-hire processes into the NeoGov software system is on track to be “up and running within 90 days.”

Lopez also highlighted the first event organized by the new Employee Recognition Committee — the Christmas Celebration on Dec. 11, with 98 people confirmed to attend. She is also assisting the sheriff’s office with sergeant interviews and continues to work on integrating the county’s vision, mission and values into employee evaluations.

Law enforcement highlights: Arrests and vehicle burglaries

Sheriff Miles Umina reported a successful operational week, noting the new fingerprint machine’s immediate utility: “We used it for the first time last night for a booking,” following two arrests in Eureka connected to drug paraphernalia, drugs, a stolen credit card and a possible fake ID. The incident escalated when a person interfered with the crime scene, resulting in charges for obstruction, resisting arrest and assault on a peace officer after threatening the deputies.

Sheriff Umina reinforced the “see something, say something” message, specifically in response to a “large amount of vehicle burglaries” across the county, particularly targeting mine contractors. He noted a “rash of vehicle burglaries” at the I-80/306 DOT pull-off to Crescent Valley, where seven such incidents have occurred since March. The sheriff’s office is collaborating with the DOT to install cameras at the pull-off. Undersheriff Charles Cobb urged citizens to recognize that “the day and age of leaving your vehicle and house unlocked and unattended when you’re not around is going away everywhere.”

Umina provided an update on the inmate population, which is currently down to six, including the two recent arrests.

Road work and Public Works projects

Road Department supervisor Scooter Mentaberry reported on the department’s efforts to capitalize on favorable weather by grading roads, including Maggie Creek, Willow Creek Pass, Tompkin and Alpha. Work is also progressing on Fish Creek Road, and continues on JD Ranch Road per the MOU with Nevada Gold Mines. The department is installing new speed signs and has begun hauling salt and sand in preparation for winter.

Public Works director Jeb Rowley reported progress on repairing leaking water meters in Crescent Valley and working on the electronic door access control system. Painting on the water tank interior is underway and will soon move to the exterior, though Rowley anticipates a change order with a cost that will be less than the original estimate. Commissioner Schoenwald advised Rowley to maintain use of temporary partitions at the Crescent Valley  community center to avoid using excessive space and maintain ADA compliance.

Commission approvals

The commission concluded the meeting by approving a slate of essential items, including:

• Expenditures totaling $1,025,051.49.
• The 2026 Board of County Commissioners’ agenda items and posting calendar.
• A draft ordinance to amend purchasing policies to align monetary thresholds with Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), slated for a public hearing on Dec. 16.
• Increasing one part-time district attorney position to full time, effective January 4, 2026, coinciding with the 4/10 work week pilot.
• Authorizing the district attorney’s office to spend up to $5,250 for the integration of Karpel and Sunridge RIMS software systems.
• Accepting the donation of an enclosed trailer from Truckin Water Inc. for Crescent Valley Park recreational equipment storage.
• Procuring a replacement vehicle for the county assessor: one new $44,616.25 pickup truck.
• Increasing Sheriff Umina’s credit card limit by $2,000 for November to cover a U.S. Concealed Carry Association’s Instructor class.
• A quote for $49,616.82 from Quest to run fiber from the Annex to Tank Hill.