Eureka County Commission tackles EMS housing, sheriff appointment and project updates

The Eureka County Commission held its regular meeting on March 18.

EMS housing

Given the lack of housing in Eureka and Crescent Valley, the commission discussed whether Eureka County will make county-supplied housing available to newly hired EMS employees.

Public Works Director Jeb Rowley noted, “As housing items come up, there have been several different approaches on how to address a housing solution.” Rowley added, “The two that are in front of you today have come in a fashion of urgency due to staffing levels within EMS.” 

Rowley said there would need to be a public hearing on April 15 to have a lease agreement with an employee. 

Vice Chair Marty Plaskett noted, “We have a unit that is vacant that was designated for the health clinic that we would like to make available to emergency services housing.”

After some discussion, the commission approved making county-supplied housing available to newly hired EMS employees on a temporary and limited basis.

In considering whether Eureka County will provide a housing stipend to a newly hired EMS employee to offset the cost of privately obtained housing or lodging, Nicole Cooley, EMS Medical Services Director, explained, “We did hire somebody from Vegas and he could start immediately, but there’s no housing for him to move here.” 

The commission approved the housing stipend with the amount to be determined.

County Comptroller Kim Todd said, “There used to be a housing stipend in Crescent Valley that was removed from the policy because there was conflict as the Sheriff’s Office was getting the stipend and the road department wasn’t; the senior center wasn’t.”

Todd asked, “Are you now willing to offer this to every employee that you hire that moves to Eureka County and needs a house? If you’re going to start doing stipends, there needs to be some guidelines in the policy.” 

Heather Anderson, an 11-year resident of Eureka County and Eureka County employee for the past two and a half years, was recently offered an EMS position, and she has neither declined nor accepted. “Why is there a difference in offers between an individual who resides in Eureka County and someone who is moving here?” Anderson asked. “It seems like a punishment for community members who want a community job.”

On the amount of the proposed stipend, Vice Chair Plaskett said, “There is no amount. It’s in the infancy stages here. We’re flying blind a little bit, but we’re trying to work for a resolution on that.” 

The commission then approved a draft resolution for lease of county-owned property at 381 Well Street in Eureka for the newly hired EMS employee and scheduled a public hearing at 10 a.m. on April 15 to consider signing a lease agreement with a newly hired EMS employee.

With the resignation of Jesse Watts as Eureka County Sheriff effective November 1, 2024, the commission considered the appointment of a candidate to serve the remaining term through December 31, 2026.

As there had been ongoing conflicts between the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office during Jesse Watts’ tenure as sheriff, Ashley Kemp, an employee of the District Attorney’s Office, speaking during public comment, said, “Since November 1, the lines of communication between the Sheriff’s Office and the DA’s office have greatly improved.” Kent said she supported the board appointing Sheriff Umina.

The commission approved Umina to remain as sheriff. Umina will be sworn into office April 1 at the commission meeting in Crescent Valley.

Senior Center report

Senior Center director Linda Gordon reported 388 meals were served in Crescent Valley in February, and 362 in Eureka. Home-bound numbers in Eureka stayed the same and Crescent Valley fluctuated up and down. $12,712 was deposited, which included grants. 

Bullion Hill Decline Exploration Project update

Shawna Adams, community engagement specialist for Nevada Gold Mines, and Katie Chakhova, Barrick Gold Permitting Specialist, gave a presentation on the Bullion Hill Decline Exploration Project.

Chakhova outlined the underground exploration project, which targets a four- mile ore body. The underground development, which will be accessed from the Cortez operations outside Crescent Valley, will include twin exploration declines developed simultaneously toward the southeast for a total distance of 21,800 feet per decline. Approximately 1.72 million tons of waste rock will be removed to be placed on the existing Cortez waste rock facilities. Surface infrastructure will include a portal pad, access road and power and water lines. The proposed ground disturbance encompasses approximately 112 acres adjacent to the existing Cortez mine. The project is proposed to start in the second quarter of 2026 and will continue for six years. BLM permitting for the exploration is being finalized.

EMS report

EMS Medical Services Director Nicole Cooley reported 22 ambulance runs in February, 14 in Eureka and 8 in Crescent Valley. Adam Barron and Brett Jones have been hired and will start on March 24. Cooley met with I-80 Gold’s Health, Safety and Security Managers to discuss implementing an MOU for transportation services. 

Cooley noted she has been going through ambulance supplies with MedEx and “found most of our stuff is reaching its expiration.” MedEx is presently operating under an MOU and, if extended further, will require a contract. There are crews available 24 hours a day stationed at the camp in Crescent Valley and at the Eureka airport.

Addressing public concern, Cooley clarified that patients who sign a refusal do not get charged. The only time a patient gets charged is if they’re transported and they then get charged their copay deductible. 

Four EMR classes have been approved through the State of Nevada. The first EMR class will be April 28, and they are looking at integrating mine personnel in the trainings. 

Cooley noted Advisory Board Vice Chair and Fire Chief Jeremy Rice received his certification as an ambulance driver. 

Sheriff’s report

Sheriff Miles Umina said there have been a lot of weather-related calls on Hwy. 50 and I-80. He and Undersheriff Tyler Thomas attended the Western States Sheriffs Association meeting in Reno. 

Three deputies went to Lincoln County for advanced search and seizure training.

Sgt. Nick Collins will attend the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course in Boulder City, Nevada, April 2-11. Collins will learn how to safely drive at higher-than-normal speeds. He will then be certified to train all the sheriffs and EMS staff. 

Public Works report

Public Works Director Jeb Rowley reported the Opera House had 28 visitors and 182 people attended February events. The swimming pool saw 104 daily swimmers, 2 private parties and 36 seniors. The landfill had 364 deliveries, totaling 350 cubic yards of municipal solid waste, with the Olcese trash service accounting for 195 yards of that. 

The old x-ray unit at the Eureka Medical Clinic will be removed. Flooring, lighting, electrical and structural modifications will be done by Public Works for installation of the new x-ray equipment. They’ll also be working on the countertops for the clinic reception area without disturbing the clinic operations. In April they will be working on the clinic heating system replacement and repairs to the Opera House’s HVAC. 

The Crescent Valley fire hose water drops have been completed as well as the annual maintenance of the fuel station at the airport. 

Sheriff’s Office repairs are ongoing. 

They are in the midst of the ISO review for Crescent Valley.

Public Works is conducting baseline water readings in March and anticipates that water usage will be monitored beginning in April, which will be reflected in May bills. Water usage is not monitored in the winter months as people drip water to keep pipes from freezing and with monitoring resuming, residents are advised to watch their water usage.

Rowley said Public Works is trying to get started on advertising for the Airport Project but “administration changes have definitely delayed the FAA in responding on stuff that is important for us to figure that process.” Bids will be held until July 21 to allow time to process the grant. Rowley said, “On a $24-million project, you guys want to know that the funds are coming together in that grant process before we go to bid, and it’s, again, just frustrating timing and coordination with everybody involved.” 

The commission will be meeting in Crescent Valley on April 1, which is outside the 10-mile radius for “heavy decision items to be placed on the agenda,” Clerk Kathy Bowling cautioned. She advised a light agenda to comply with NRS requirements. 

Kim Todd noted the county’s tentative budget must be signed April 1 to meet NRS. 

There may be another special commission meeting to accommodate that and other tentative agenda items that may not be voted on in Crescent Valley

Approvals

The commission approved:

• Expenditures of $2,043,952.36, including payroll of $261,204.88 and pass-throughs to the Department of Taxation Room Tax of $327.87; 
• State Controller’s School Tax of $1,042,658.93; 
• NV State Controller, $4,574.38; 
• Washoe County Crime Lab, $99; 
• Division of Minerals, $600; 
• Grazing Board, $1,500.
• Out-of-state travel for DeAnna Colby to attend the Tyler Connect Conference in San Antonio, Texas, May 11-14;
• Credit card increases for DeeAnna Colby of $1,500 for the month of March and May to cover travel and conference expenses for the Tyler Connect Conference;
• A donation to purchase Fourth of July fireworks in the amount of $8,901.50, to be paid from the Commissioners’ Miscellaneous Grants;
• Adding Christina Tucker as an alternate to the Crescent Valley Medical Services Advisory Committee;
• Renewing a one-year proposal from Marketshare PR for 46 hours each month of public relations services at a monthly cost of $7,500 with additional project hours billed at a rate of $175 per hour, to be paid with monies budgeted for contract services in the Technology Support budget and authorize the IT Director to sign the documents outside of the meeting;
• Estimate #538 ECSO RIMS Server Project from Syber Networks for an amount not to exceed $15,954.57, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the Technology Support budget;
• Estimate #539 Albert Sensor Server Project from Syber Networks for an amount not to exceed $8,977.46, utilizing funds budgeted for capital outlay in the Technology Support Budget;
• A $1,000 donation toward the 34th Annual Eureka High School Grad Night to be held May 30, 2025, from the Commissioners’ Miscellaneous Grants;
• Waiving the rental fees for the use of the Opera House, May 23-24 for the Eureka Palooza Concert Fundraiser and annual Eureka County High School Alumni Association dinner;
• A donation of $2,500 to the Eureka Alumnae Association to assist with the purchase of supplies and postage for invitations for the events held on May 23-24, to be paid from the Commissioners’ Miscellaneous Grants;
• A donation of $4,000 to purchase flowers, baskets and miscellaneous supplies for the beautification of the downtown area on Main Street, to be paid from Commissioners’ Miscellaneous Grants;
• Out-of-state travel on April 6-11 for Stephen Zimmerman and Irma Davila to attend the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma’s 22nd Annual Hawaii International Summit in Honolulu, to be paid for by the 7th Judicial District Court’s Community Corrections Partnership Block Grant.