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.

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EUREKA COUNTY COMMISSION, December 2, 2025

By Lisa J. Wolf

The Eureka County Commission with Chairman Rich McKay and Commissioner Mike Schoenwald in attendance and Commissioner Marty Plaskett attending via telephone met Tuesday, December 2^nd in Crescent Valley.

In considering retaining Marquis Aurbach Chtd, Chairman McKay said, “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 this is the “counsel that already had some involvement in the case, so they’re already on board a little bit.” 

“I believe this is the law firm that was involved in the public records requests,” Chairman McKay said.

With that the Commission approved retaining the law firm of Marquis Aurbach Chtd. to represent Eureka County in Case Number CV 2511-267 – Jesse Watts vs. Eureka County.

The Commission then considered a resolution changing the hours of operation for several County offices, pursuant to NRS 245.040 and NRS 252.050.

On September 16, 2025, the County Clerk, County Assessor and the Chief Information Officer had requested a committee be formed to consider changing the hours of County operation to a four-day, ten hour a day work week. The BOCC appointed the committee and held a Public Hearing on November 18, 2025 and collected data of Friday public foot traffic, which showed that over 37 Fridays the Courthouse averaged fewer than four total in-person interactions and that more than half of all Fridays saw zero visitors. In addition, the Committee surveyed all full-time County employees and the data showed a majority preference for a Monday-Thursday, four-day week, ten hour a day schedule. Therefore, the BOCC determined that a twelve-month pilot program, beginning the first pay period in January, starting on January 4, 2026, would be in the best interest of the citizens and employees of Eureka County.

The offices of the Eureka County Sheriff, Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, Treasurer and Comptroller (Auditor), District Attorney and Justice Court shall be open for the transaction of public business, Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., closed for lunch between 12:30 p.m. and-1:00 p.m., and closed on Friday for a period of one year. The Public Works Department hours of operation for the transaction of public business will also be Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. without being closed from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The BOCC agreed that the other County Offices not mentioned in NRS 245.040 or NRS 252.050, could also adopt a 4-10 work week or flex employee hours to remain on a 5-8 work week, or do what best fits their departments and the citizens of Eureka County.

The Commission considered a request from Publisher Ben Rowley of the Eureka Sentinel for the County to pay $360.00 a month to the Eureka Sentinel Newspaper for advertising county job postings and events. Commissioner Plaskett expressed he was more “comfortable with pay as you go type of advertising,” while Chairman McKay said, “We kind of have the Star for the south end which also has some exposure up in the north end and then we have the Sentinel in the north end that also has some exposure in the south end. So, the more we can get the word out on things the better.” McKay noted, “We have our website now, we have social media, we have two papers of record, one being the Star, one being the Sentinel.” 

Ben Rowley related that his thinking “was the $360 a month that I suggested was based on a few events that were under the County’s purview along with job postings that were already being advertised through the County’s website and newsletter; and, so as I approached the Opera House regarding the events I was referred to the Commissioners and then it was suggested that I provide some type of monetary parameters around what I was proposing so the County knew what a budget amount might be for advertising those type of events and job postings. So, my thinking is 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 suggested 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.”

All the Commissioners voted in favor of a ‘not to exceed’ amount of $360 a month for the Eureka Sentinel. Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board member Laura Shivers asked whether Crescent Valley events were also included, and Commissioner Schoenwald affirmed.  

IT Director, Misty Rowley, reported she “has been working on the newsletter and social media,” working on moving and upgrading work stations for the Clerk; the Contract Management System design and set-up; working on a new single sign on project for Human Resources NeoGov software system; working on schedules for electronic door systems; attended a Virtual Private Network architecture call; attended a Safety meeting; worked with the Sheriff’s Department to complete the fingerprint equipment installation in Eureka and Crescent Valley; worked on a replacement server project and reported that Annelle Watts passed her Comptia Network+ certification

Human Resources Director, Cristina Lopez reported that the 4/10 committee met with supervisors and employees “so that we’re ready for January 4^th.” She attended the Safety Committee meeting on November 18^th and had her first official HR visit to Crescent Valley on November 20. She continues to meet with Public Works on the creation of the volunteer program management system for Fire and EMS and met with the EMS team on November 21^st. She held the first discovery meeting on Phase 1 with NeoGov to transition the paper process of new hires into the system. Lopez said, “The great news on that is we will have that up and running within 90 days.” Lopez met with the new Employee Recognition Committee and the first event coming up December 11^th is the Christmas Celebration. “As of today, we have 98 people attending the event,” Lopez reported. The next Leadership Roundtable Meeting was scheduled for December 3^rd at 1 p.m. and Lopez is assisting the Sheriff’s office with Sargeant interviews on December 10th. On December 4^th, Lopez will meet with Pool Pac to continue the HR assessment/audit. She is still working on integrating the County’s Vision, Mission and Values into evaluations. She is continuing to work on possible events and on how to recognize employees. Lopez is scheduling NeoGov leadership training and is “adding more professional training” and is “hoping to get that done by the end of January if not before.” 

Sheriff Umina related that November 20^th the fingerprint machine was installed and the server system between the ECSO and the State “has cleared up” and they “used it for the first time last night for a booking.” Umina related that Dalton Kim graduated from POST and is in week two of field training. 

Umina said, “Last night we had two arrests in Eureka itself. With the arrest they located four pieces of paraphernalia, drugs and a credit card that didn’t belong to a person and possible fake ID. And, while we were doing that, a person rolled up and wanted to interject them into the crime scene and walked through the crime scene and caused problems. He was taken into custody for obstruction and delaying an investigation, resisting and then he said he was going to kill my deputies, so they charged him also with assault on a peace officer. Quite busy on that incident last night” and “that’s how we got to use the new fingerprint machine.” 

Umina said, “One of the biggest things” is “you see something, say something.” Umina said “across the county, not in Eureka, the town itself, but even in Crescent Valley, we’ve had a large amount of vehicle burglaries.” He said mine contractors “are being hit quite a bit.” Umina said they were in Crescent Valley at the DOT pull-off at I80 and 306 where there have been “a rash of vehicle burglaries.” Umina said, “Even if it’s something as small as ‘somebody took a sledge hammer out of my yard’ or a snow blower or something like that we need to be notified.” 

Undersheriff Cobb said, “The day and age of leaving your vehicle and house unlocked and unattended when you’re not around is going away everywhere.”

Umina said, “Yesterday was a very busy day both in Crescent Valley and Eureka” as “crews were really doing a lot of follow up, looking for suspicious vehicles and we have some good intel” because “people have said ‘this vehicle doesn’t look right’” and “we follow up.” Umina said, “Sometimes it pans out” and “we’re able to follow up and get a suspect.” Umina said the I80 306 pull-off parking lot has “window glass all over the place.” Since March there have been seven vehicle burglaries there, and they’re working with the DOT to try to get cameras installed.  On December 10^th they’ll be interviewing and testing for the Jail sergeant position. 

The applicant for the Crescent Valley casual position is still in background check. 

Chairman McKay asked about the inmate population and Umina said it’s down to six including “the two we picked up last night.” One is in Lander County with the rest in White Pine and one at Lake’s Crossing mental health facility. “We were down to four at one point,” Umina said.

Scooter Mentaberry, Road Department Supervisor said, “We spent the majority of time taking advantage of the favorable weather” grading roads, completing grading on Maggie Creek and Willow Creek Pass, Tompkin, Alpha, and Willow Creek Road; have done work on Fish Creek Road and are working on Emerald Valley, Mustang and 101 in Diamond Valley and mowed shoulders; and work continues on JD Ranch Road per the MOU with Nevada Gold Mines. They repaired cattle guards on 101 and cleaned cattle guards on Maggie Creek Road. They installed 25 mph signs on Frontier and El Centro and hauled salt and sand in preparation for wintertime.  

Jeb Rowley, Public Works Director, has been “catching up on line items” with the Road and Grounds crews. In Crescent Valley they’ve been fixing leaking water meters. They’re working on the electronic doors access control implementation. The inside of the Tank painting will continue for “a couple of weeks” before they move to the exterior, sandblasting as they go. Rowley recognizes that there will be a change order of an as-yet-unknown amount, “but it’s not” going to be as “bad as the original estimate.” 

Commissioner Schoenwald related to Rowley that “we’re just going to stay with the temporary partitions” at the Crescent Valley Co Having to build out a partition wall would take up huge amounts of space” to “stay ADA compliant.”

Commissioners approved:

Expenditures of $1,025,051.49.

The 2026 Board of County Commissioners agenda items and posting calendar.

Proposing a draft ordinance containing recommended changes to Eureka County Code, Title 3, Internal Control Policy, Chapter 20, Purchasing Procedures, Section .100, to amend purchasing policies related to monetary thresholds to align with those identified in Nevada Revised Statutes with the proposed ordinance to be titled THE DECEMBER 2025  PURCHASING PROCEDURES ORDINANCE.

A public hearing to consider adoption of THE DECEMBER 2025 PURCHASING PROCEDURES ORDINANCE at 11:00 a.m. on December 16th, to accommodate the required publication period.  

Increasing the one part time position in the District Attorney’s Office to a full-time position effective January 4, 2026.

Pursuant to NRS 252.050, the Board entering into its minutes an order that the District Attorney Office hours will be Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m.-5:30p.m. with lunch between 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. effective January 4, 2026 with the pilot program to be reevaluated January, 2027 to  determine if the modification was fiscally neutral or if it resulted in cost savings.

Authorizing the District Attorney’s Office to spend an amount not to exceed $5,250.00 for the integration of Prosecutor by Karpel software interface with Sunridge RIMS software.  Note: A previous action item approved by the Board November 18, 2025 covered the cost of Karpel; this action item is for Sunridge RIMS software.

Senior Center Program Director Linda Gordon sending a letter to the Nevada Department of Transportation forgoing the FTA Section 5310, FEY25-26 Funding Application Operating Assistance 50/50 grant.

Quote #021422v1 from Quest in the amount of $49,616.82 to run fiber from the Annex to Tank hill, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay (010-018-55010-000) in the Technology Support budget and authorizing the CIO to sign the quote outside of the meeting.

Accepting the donation of an enclosed trailer from Truckin Water Inc., to be used to store and transport Crescent Valley Park recreational equipment.

The increase of $2,000 to Sheriff Umina’s credit card for the month of November for the U.S. Concealed Carry Association’s Concealed Carry Weapons Instructor class.

Procuring a replacement vehicle for the County Assessor; specifically, purchase of  one (1) new 1/2-ton, full size, crew cab, short bed pickup truck from Champion Chevrolet utilizing State  Purchasing Bid #99SWC-S3138 for a not to exceed amount of $44,616.25 to be paid with monies budgeted  for capital outlay (220-271-55010-000) in the Assessor Tech Fund.

Out-of-state travel for two Public Works employees to attend Power Generation Training in Arizona on February 2nd-5th.