Grant freezes, traffic spikes and community projects discussed at commission meeting

At the Aug. 5 Eureka County Commission meeting, citizens and officials addressed a wide range of issues, from public safety concerns to grant funding delays and long-term infrastructure planning.

One local resident, Laura Shivers of Crescent Valley, opened the public comment period by reporting an incident involving the local Crescent Valley clinic. According to Shivers, a caretaker was advised by a provider to transport her ailing husband to the hospital in her personal vehicle rather than calling for an ambulance, with the provider suggesting it would be faster. Shivers stated that the county’s EMTs are known for their quick response times and expressed concern over the advice given. In response, Chairman Rich McKay assured the public that the commission would investigate the matter.

The meeting also focused on a significant financial challenge related to the county’s senior center vans. County Comptroller Kim Todd reported that a Federal Transit Administration grant for the vans, awarded in August 2024, has been frozen at the presidential level, preventing the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) from reimbursing the county for its 85% share. The original $240,000 grant for the vehicles is now in jeopardy. Todd presented a potential solution: modifying the grant to a 50/50 operational grant, which would provide an estimated $100,000 for gas and repairs. While this would be a smaller amount, it would make the grant more likely to be released, as it would require a reduced federal share. The commission approved this modification, hoping to secure at least some of the funds.

On the human resources front, the commission approved the hiring of Cristina Lopez as the new human resources director. Sheriff Miles Umina, who was part of the interview panel, expressed his confidence in Lopez, citing her private-sector experience and deeming her the best fit for the county’s current needs. Lopez has accepted the position and is scheduled to begin her new role on September 8, 2025.

Community engagement was also a topic of discussion as Darlene Moody and Winonna Eversgerd of Country Cottage Quilters presented a piece they crafted for Eureka County’s contribution to the Federal Capital quilted tree skirt. The quilt will adorn one of the seven Nevada-sourced Christmas trees heading to Washington, D.C., this year for display.

Chief Information Officer Misty Rowley provided an update on the IT department’s activities, which included troubleshooting satellite connectivity, upgrading servers, and working on a strategy to migrate departments away from outdated DS1 and DS3 communication lines. Rowley also noted the department is preparing for an upcoming audit and has been working with Public Works on various projects, from programming new clinic door schedules to setting up PCs in Crescent Valley.

Sheriff Umina offered a detailed report on law enforcement activities, highlighting a significant increase in traffic stops and citations. From April to June 2025, the Sheriff’s Office conducted 694 traffic stops, a sharp increase from the 179 stops made in the first three months of the year. This surge in enforcement is partly in response to requests from Public Works to patrol areas like JD Ranch Road, Rose Ranch Road, and Roberts Creek. Umina emphasized the need to fill the void left by the recent retirement of a Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) trooper in the Ely area. He shared an example of an officer citing a driver traveling at 76 mph in the 25 mph Main Street zone and stressed the importance of public safety despite the challenges of limited staffing. Additionally, Umina clarified that removing dead animals from roadways is primarily the responsibility of the Nevada Department of Transportation. He also gave a brief update on a new deputy candidate, who is reportedly performing well in the physically demanding POST training. The detention facility is currently running smoothly, with plans to soon hold inmates for 24 to 48 hours for their first court appearance.

Public Works updates from Raymond Hodson and Jeb Rowley highlighted ongoing construction and maintenance projects across the county. The Road Department is running two blades in tandem and has been focused on Sadler Road, Roberts Mountain, and the Spa Road near the new Ormat geothermal plant. Utility work in Eureka is nearly complete, with road and curb setting scheduled for mid-September. In Crescent Valley, crews are focused on the Airport Road project, and water and sewer testing is underway for multiple areas. Other projects include the completion of an X-ray installation at the William Bee Ririe Clinic and preparation for the upcoming fair and high school rodeo. Rowley also reported that the airport building project, like the senior center vans, is on hold due to frozen federal funds from the Department of Transportation, which could lead to increased costs due to tariffs and expired bids.

Natural Resources Director Jake Tibbitts presented several updates, including a report on water monitoring near the Cortez Hills Operations, where Nevada Gold Mines’ dewatering and reinfiltrating efforts have led to a rising water table and the appearance of new, potable springs. Tibbitts also shared details of a productive meeting with NV Energy to discuss a letter sent by the county and the possibility of using local contractors. Additionally, he highlighted his engagement with the Sagebrush Ecosystem Council regarding sage grouse mitigation and the working out coordination between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the state’s plans. Tibbitts also expressed concerns over the state plan for nonpoint source pollution that he felt unfairly blamed grazing while ignoring the impact of wild horses. He presented two letters, which the commission approved, to be sent to federal agencies regarding the diminishing role of cooperating state and local agencies in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. He emphasized the importance of local government involvement to ensure accuracy and build community support. He concluded by informing the commission of upcoming meetings with the BLM and Nevada Gold Mines on various local projects, including the Cortez Hills Expansion and the SWIFT Project.

Eureka County Commissioners approved:

• The Aug. 5 Agenda Notice.
• Minutes of June 17, July 1 and July 15, 2025, commission meetings.
• Expenditures of $2,859,473.27.
• Scheduling a public hearing Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. to invite input from employees and members of the public and to take action to adopt (as written or as modified) a resolution amending the Eureka County Personnel Policy.
• Adopting a resolution honoring Jeri Maxim Sanders for more than 17 years of service to Eureka County.
• A hiring freeze waiver and authorizing the chief information officer to fill the position of IT Professional Trainee I – Casual.
• Quote #20313-EurekaCounty-Zscaler-OPT2 from Taborda-ENS for professional services related to Zscaler and CrowdStrike support, providing up to 50 hours of assistance at a rate of $225 per hour, not to exceed a total of $11,250, with funding coming from monies budgeted for contract services (010-018-53010-058) within the Technology Support budget; and authorizing the CIO to sign the documents outside of the meeting.
• Quote #Q-103348 from Smarsh for the purchase of additional text message archiving licenses at a pro-rated cost of $666.27 and authorizing the IT CIO to sign the order form outside of the meeting.
• Approval of a new road supervisor job description and updated Equipment Operator I, II, III and senior job descriptions.
• A hiring freeze waiver and authorizing Public Works to fill the position of road supervisor.
• Authorizing Public Works to promote a Road Department employee to Senior Equipment Operator. Note: This promotion would begin advertising but not go into effect until after November 6, 2025.
• Authorizing Public Works to make an advanced step hire for the position of Equipment Operator I at Range E09/Step 7 on the Eureka County wage and salary scale.
• Increasing Clara Bundy’s credit card to $2,000 to attend RimsCon.
• Purchase of the ITouch fingerprint machine, with money from the capital outlay account in the amount of $49,845. Note: The current fingerprint machine will be at the end of life October 14, 2025.
• Ratifying a credit card increase in the amount of $1,600 ($2,600 total) to purchase three Canon image scanners from Amazon to replace end-of-life scanners in the clerk recorder’s office.
• The Nevada Division of Water Resources Fiscal Year 2025-2026 amended budgets for special assessments to be collected by Eureka County on behalf of the division for necessary expenses related to supervision over the following waters in Eureka County: Diamond Valley Groundwater Basin.  
• Application for a 3/4-inch residential water service for APN 007-396-26 in the Devil’s Gate GID.
• Sending a letter to Central Nevada Health District affirming appointment of Eureka County representatives to the CNHD Board of Health, as follows: (a) reappointment of Jeb Rowley for a two-year term through June 30, 2027; and (b) modifying the appointment of Nichole Cooley, extending her two-year term through June 30, 2027.
• Quote from United Rentals for the purchase of a model BC2601- HEBH Billy Goat Brush Cutter, for an amount not to exceed $4,675 (including 10% contingency), utilizing funds budgeted for service and supplies (010-058-53010-000) in the Eureka County Cemeteries budget.
• Signing the Wildland Fire Protection Program (WFPP) Interlocal Contract between  Eureka County and the State of Nevada acting by and through its Division of Forestry (NDF) effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $131,536.00 ($65,768.00 annually), utilizing funds budgeted for contract services (010-040-53010-058) in the Emergency Management budget.
• Accepting the SERC OPTE (State of Nevada Emergency Response Commission Operations Planning Training & Equipment) FY2026 Grant Award for a total of $32,000.00 and authorizing LEPC Chairman to sign the award notice.