[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6064199,"mediaKeyId","3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8","parentId",3256793,"title","Elko County adopts 2025–26 budget after debate over infrastructure tax shift for sheriff and ambulance costs","audioSeconds",751,"startMs",2142000,"endMs",2893000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8&start=2142&end=2893","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8/thumbnail_2142000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064199/Elko-County/Nevada/Elko-County-adopts-202526-budget-after-debate-over-infrastructure-tax-shift-for-sheriff-and-ambulance-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064199-6ee91cec85da18cf140afe02e151e4f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593699&Signature=NPmZqfR5c35g3DRXR8ALQoPF2az4OlpbHFhmF9c3j7tLPkmQnnmfw~ENvW2XYp3F9wldsvssafnbxq97EIQZzXd1b~xATtQv1SN5PiRdTj~q0qS~p3vbBiai5URcoy4VeLbiaiMZF6x05aIm5GAfx9n~1FYZENS-Ex2YduCQZpHRyaHL6YlkTsuAygAzUxY-f04zZ8K6G1LTxPZkaoSH7FwRrGZXSLQ9SDuqyHHDg0Yom3qF4gnSJKKIFdQwju6PWKoZhrNTBG9TTItJRs-IhXYeh5Q8zyN~p8Ff-QsnNY-7Ou26toGok7raLqPwvz-tB14pIrCVnRTdzb0ndZSZPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Elko County, NV","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","Elko County commissioners on Tuesday approved the county\u0000final budget for fiscal year 2025\u0000\u0000\u000026\u0000\u0000\u0000, voting to use a portion of the county\u0000infrastructure capital tax to cover sheriff vehicle lease payments and to buy an ambulance while keeping the bulk of road funds intact.

The board voted to adopt the budget as presented after extended discussion of a proposed shift of roughly $2 million in capital spending from the county\u0000infrastructure tax account. County finance staff presented revenue and expenditure estimates showing a general-fund ending balance of about 7.3 percent, below the board\u0000preferred target but above the statutory minimum.

The move reallocates part of the infrastructure tax (a county sales-tax fund created years earlier for capital projects) to cover several items the county says would otherwise fall to the general fund, including a $300,000-per-year vehicle lease program and the purchase of an ambulance. Commissioners said the shift is intended to avoid further stress on the general fund after recent declines in other revenues.

\"We needed some additional revenue to pay for those leases for those cop cars and an ambulance,\" one commissioner said during debate, adding the change was \"the least painful shift\" the county could make. County finance staff said infrastructure tax revenues have been used for both road and fire capital purchases in prior years and noted that the fund does not sunset as originally planned.

Opponents pushed back, saying the infrastructure tax had been used heavily to build up the county\u0000fire apparatus and new stations in recent years and that even a modest reallocation risked slowing progress. One commissioner told the board the county has spent about $16 million on fire-related capital from the infrastructure fund over the last eight years and that residents are concerned about diverting funds away from that work.

Board members reached a compromise to leave city road donations at $500,000 and to preserve the bulk of the road allocations while directing staff to return with further ordinance and plan changes if the infrastructure allocations themselves must be changed. With those assurances, the board voted to adopt the overall final budget and a slate of town and enterprise budgets.

Budget highlights offered by county finance staff included a conservative revenue stance that omits net-proceeds figures, an assessed valuation decrease of 3.42 percent from the prior year, and a general-fund beginning balance of about $16 million. The general fund budget shows roughly $40 million in revenues and $52.4 million in expenditures under the approved plan.

Commissioners and staff said they will continue to monitor revenues and may bring augmentations during the fiscal year if net-proceeds or other revenues materialize. They also said that capital and special-revenue funds are routinely budgeted to low or zero ending balances to allow flexibility to spend if needed.

The board\u0000approved the final county budget, the unincorporated town budgets and several town-specific capital plans in voice votes; there were no recorded roll-call tallies made available during the meeting.

The county budget now moves into the new fiscal year; staff said further ordinance updates and a public hearing will be required if the commission decides to change the infrastructure-tax allocation rules.

Background: The infrastructure tax was originally adopted to raise funds for county capital and emergency apparatus. Commissioners said changes to the ordinance and the plan for allocating infrastructure tax dollars will be required should the board choose to make a permanent shift in how those funds are used.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Elko County Board of Commissioners Meeting May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Elko County commissioners on Tuesday approved the county\u0000final budget for fiscal year 2025\u0000\u0000\u000026\u0000\u0000\u0000, agreeing to shift a portion of infrastructure-tax capital funds to cover sheriff vehicle lease payments and the purchase of an ambulance while retaining most road funding.","taxTitle","Elko County , Nevada","taxId",69782,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064180,"Elko County OKs $39,914 contract for statewide voter registration and poll-pad system; commissioners call it an unfunded mandate",78,1951000,2029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8&start=1951&end=2029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","/articles/6064180/Elko-County/Nevada/Elko-County-OKs-39914-contract-for-statewide-voter-registration-and-poll-pad-system-commissioners-call-it-an-unfunded-mandate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064180-93f8f145211577c9babe9cb8bfcd85b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593699&Signature=NSjNi8ZGlPRTt950xtqkT~QRM5154ZMirfUY3u1Y9jZIz5Buw2pMhDG66INopqomUhOAQHkMmAOWLb1FFnDO6ujK6WibeyHoIekR8wDkbXM~mUS2jr8WW4uBvzqswI2RRQNqot2MQNc2~00rh2gCvFvwnMHNEW1q7226CMDIJYldGWHBJROfdf2ycaP3RfGQbFc5xZeBCV-6j6xt65YWHcvmo56nOCe1rhiGCtmrIxYKyOILI7qwrzOx2uiNnqIwAxyEWM8pizfhR3j0La11cqivMNVCgY78u9jaRb4wX9QJqwfm7jfM0tRR~ziw-SlYAGU5wIBeWLzNXdS-dZ965A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elko County commissioners on Tuesday approved a one-year interlocal contract with the Nevada Secretary of State to continue using the statewide voter-registration system (vendor listed as NoInc) and to support the county's poll pads, at a cost of roughly $39,915.

Rebecca Blanket of the Elko County Clerk's Office told the board the figure covers the state-mandated, top-down registration system and related poll-pad services the county used in last year\u0000's election. She said the state provided the contract this year and that the county put the amount into the elections budget for next fiscal year.

Commissioners pressed for details on timing and funding. Finance staff said the county has about $172,000 available in the elections department services-and-supplies line to cover the cost for the remainder of the fiscal year if the bill is payable on receipt, and that the clerk had included the item in next year's budget. \"It's our total about our new system that we got implemented last year,\" Blanket said. A commissioner described the expense as an \"unfunded mandate\" imposed by the legislature.

Blanket explained the terms: NoInc is the vendor; \"ePulse\" is the central system that monitors poll-pad check-ins across precincts so election staff can see check-in status by location; poll pads are the portable check-in devices used at polling places to prevent double voting.

The board approved the contract in a voice vote. Commissioners also discussed the broader issue of state-mandated changes to election systems and how those costs are budgeted at the county level.

The contract covers one year of service; county staff said they budgeted the amount in anticipation of the state's charge and that the system is intended to prevent duplicate voting by reporting voter check-ins in real time across jurisdictions.

No public opposition was raised during the discussion; the item passed on a motion and second with a voice vote.","The board approved a one-year interlocal agreement with the Nevada Secretary of State for the statewide voter-registration system (NoInc / ePolls) and poll pads, at an anticipated county cost of $39,914; county clerk said the expense was expected and budgeted but described the statewide system as an unfunded mandate from the legislature.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064185,"Commission sends proposed change on water-right relinquishment for parcel divisions to Planning Commission for study",0,8362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8&start=8362&end=8362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8/thumbnail_8362000.jpg","/articles/6064185/Elko-County/Nevada/Commission-sends-proposed-change-on-water-right-relinquishment-for-parcel-divisions-to-Planning-Commission-for-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064185-3c9b1b3debc7efb7c07f015a71fe3482/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593699&Signature=kjCFOku-5~QgyUsRB5UCmtiKhZmFfRveD~X7fn1Jr0txd-I19E7mxhrdYKGfSuBNDHoryq54m5KDC6Q6E9xxkwOtlkbOmf9ursWy7PLQyqM9Nv6lqg1UPw3IbkXB-ky6HPziwDe4UnBWYBkVAUOv9lqXEWubRK-VEzlpvKMY~st1xl0mr0W8B4IelF62MyPCYISU7ghMMj0QHylcT52VUATVUZ7W4afyA62vwGxV~goQ~7wcg700yMCmB4Gscg4LUVp~SIBzZ8QR53~sA8qC1D~laerSJLE--7XR9aoKce6gZ2tp0~QQAqJrwqSmc8joR~iB4oVY9myG1Rqzig2jWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elko County commissioners on Tuesday referred to the Planning Commission proposed changes to county code that would let the county require relinquishment or other conditions relating to water rights when land is divided into new parcels in closed groundwater basins.

The proposal stems from an identified gap in the county\u0000ordinance: parcel maps (used to create multiple new lots) currently trigger a compulsory requirement to show two acre-feet of water per new parcel in closed basins, while a separate process called the \"division of land into large parcels\" did not carry the same automatic water-rights condition. Planning staff said the discrepancy could create an avenue to avoid the water requirement by using the large-parcel route repeatedly.

County planning staff described the change as an attempt to close a potential loophole that lets developers create multiple domestic wells without relinquishing water rights; opponents argued the county does not administer water rights and that such conditions could be construed as outside the county\u0000authority.

One commissioner suggested alternative language limiting the number of times the large-parcel division could be used on a given parent parcel to prevent a de facto subdivision without going through formal subdivision review. Others urged caution, saying discretionary \"may\" language could give future planners a blunt instrument that could be applied unequally.

After extended discussion the commission voted to send the proposed code change back to the Planning Commission for study and a formal recommendation before the board takes final action. The remand requires planning staff to examine whether the county should apply a uniform requirement, to consider alternatives (limits on repeated large-parcel divisions), and to draft consistent language to bring back to the county board.

The board\u0000action preserves current policy while initiating a detailed review of the legal, administrative and practical implications of imposing water-rights conditions on land divisions in closed basins.","The board remanded a proposed amendment to county code that would allow the county to require relinquishment of water rights when large parcels are divided in closed groundwater basins; commissioners disagreed on whether such conditions fall within county authority and asked planning staff to study and return with a recommendation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064190,"State engineer outlines groundwater-basin assessments and why some basin rates rose or fell",126,1096000,1222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8&start=1096&end=1222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8/thumbnail_1096000.jpg","/articles/6064190/Elko-County/Nevada/State-engineer-outlines-groundwater-basin-assessments-and-why-some-basin-rates-rose-or-fell","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064190-1b2da71f97236e925693c01e56587f97/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593699&Signature=m30bENHpU3zv5VspdnwpKPv0nYdBi0wUSRAqOllh3QH4aDlClVe9R-gkawB1h9Ylz57elZjy8CnWaA2r56yeefeiHAfnJX92vVGECIIHcCASGL9c~f5piQr16twkbxFXfdh1DOEB9LLPlniGky1d-76Rb7fvviM~Pjal~gb6v9ffCUTJl9a-T6aUFwaHqZT0ymiKSNPC~mOmxFmXKsDvjBNYHwlFFpL0VTGMShwIwzpKmcbwv10rrY1wxSudyuUR7CHL317cUtvfXBNwUX7k9ZfsEu8KUuLuNB9H1KoWVXL~j-NrCYL7ARtMx8jLOrGR3jAl~bm4oWRt5jb8hQINIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nevada Division of Water Resources told the Elko County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that annual groundwater-basin assessments fund field investigations, metering and staff time and that recent changes in programs and data collection explain why assessment rates fell in many basins but rose slightly for the Humboldt River.

Dan Reynolds, speaking for the Division during the State Engineer Groundwater Basin Assessments item, said assessments have been done for groundwater and surface water for decades and that the program pays for water-level measurements, crop and pump inventories, aquifer tests, well-drilling oversight and other field work. \"These assessments have been happening every year,\" he said, noting long-term measurement programs dating back to the 20th century.

Reynolds said the assessment rate increases seen around 2015 were largely driven by a cooperative USGS study of the Humboldt River corridor. With that study completed, some assessment charges dropped markedly in certain basins. \"That study has wrapped up, and we are no longer paying USGS in coordination for that work,\" he said, which reduced costs that had been passed through assessments.

Reynolds also described a metering database launched about 2015 that now has more than 1,600 users and about 6,000 meters providing permittee-submitted data. The database reduces the need for the division to visit every site annually and has helped lower field-labor costs.

Commissioners asked why assessment rates differ by basin and whether the assessments relate to curtailment or well curtailment actions. Reynolds said the per-acre-foot assessment for a basin offsets the division\u0000costs of work in that specific basin; each basin has a separate account to which staff bill time and expenses. He emphasized the assessments are intended to fund monitoring and data collection rather than directly to perform curtailments, though the data collected can inform curtailment decisions.

Reynolds said the Humboldt River assessment has increased to about $0.80 per acre-foot, a modest uptick tied to equipment and personnel costs. He encouraged basin residents to contact the division if they need help finding reports: \"All of that data is on our website. I know it can be overwhelming, and I would say that, you know, if you're trying to look for a specific report...please do call my office. We're more than happy to walk you through where that data is and how to gain access to that. It is available.\"

Commissioners subsequently approved the Division's assessment report and the recommended assessment actions by voice vote.

The assessments were presented as routine but important tools for basin management, monitoring and long-term water planning, and the division said newer data systems are helping control staff costs while maintaining field oversight.","Nevada Division of Water Resources official Dan Reynolds told the Elko County Commission the annual basin assessments fund monitoring, staffing and field work; changes since 2015 (including an end to a USGS study and a new meters database) explain recent rate drops in several basins while the Humboldt River assessment rose modestly.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064195,"County approves application for $635,000 grant to pilot transitional housing for youth despite commissioners' reservations",822,4803000,5625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8&start=4803&end=5625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256793-4ea860e4c1fa881b58ade76a6ef086d8/thumbnail_4803000.jpg","/articles/6064195/Elko-County/Nevada/County-approves-application-for-635000-grant-to-pilot-transitional-housing-for-youth-despite-commissioners-reservations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064195-5d1d53f4cb2a585ced25626b11da595b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773593699&Signature=nCmGIkaSro4j5Wu05cOhpNruU6sttRog34cu6ny5OTNoZIapgPuO4xaav0HVFM~Q6nDzlzEFciYjv6Iw9WE7MaM4G2C~N3MJNEs2flbQLK3CMpQXNXQH9kUndbbm3Ih6nw59A8ab31fC~aQpvRO-kxvlm59H7QvZelW1BwS~zt7zzCwURhBdxp0VwHIYwGxLfshTk6QuNCbrJ5TAovmHaHrukrhgKduXfkXzBU6sKU9eYmE6aEwJzruB5YSfusF0SIyyJHFjx1KQTC7ALaA2dmADkr0TIePv98-8ylJ3mRtpkOUHbpifNIqX~wpcLmtAoYfBqPmoZMGs8YTZ8BrWOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elko County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize submission of a congressional community-project request for $635,000 to build five single-occupancy transitional homes aimed at youth exiting residential treatment or involved in specialty courts.

The proposal, presented by Terry Lockey, the juvenile specialty-court coordinator, would use county-owned property at 665 Silver Street (adjacent to the juvenile detention center) to place modular homes in a cul-de-sac layout with on-site supervision and life-skills services tied to the juvenile probation and specialty-court programs.

Lockey said the model mirrors programs in other Nevada communities such as Reno and that the requested funds would cover bringing in modular units, grading, asphalt, permits and site preparation. \"Modular homes is the idea and the hope for this,\" Lockey said. He described five individual homes, one youth per unit, with 24-hour access to probation supervision and program case management.

Commissioners expressed concern about leaving young people in largely unsupervised standalone units and requested more evidence of successful implementations elsewhere and clearer operations plans. Commissioner briefs during public discussion emphasized that if the county applied and later accepted an award, the county would own and insure the properties and carry ongoing maintenance obligations.

Kathy Jones, Elko County public guardian, told commissioners she has encountered adolescents who were discharged from residential programs without supports and said the county lacks transitional options. \"They were dropped off in the streets in Las Vegas,\" Jones said, arguing that housing could prevent chronically unstable outcomes. Several commissioners said they were willing to submit the application now but asked staff and proponents to prepare a fuller implementation plan if funding is offered.

The board also asked for documentation about similar projects\u0000results in other jurisdictions, operational staffing plans and clarity on long-term operating costs before an award would be accepted.

The county will submit the congressional request; staff said if the project is shortlisted or awarded, the county will return to the board for approval of acceptance and for a detailed implementation plan required by the grant-award process.

The board approved the application by voice vote; a handful of commissioners indicated hesitation and asked proponents to return with success metrics and site-operation information if the award is made.","The board approved submission of a congressional community project request for $635,000 to create five single-person transitional homes for youth involved with the Fourth Judicial District specialty courts; commissioners asked for examples of success from other communities and clarified county ownership and oversight before accepting if awarded.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elko County adopts 2025–26 budget after debate over infrastructure tax shift for sheriff and ambulance costs

Elko County OKs $39,914 contract for statewide voter registration and poll-pad system; commissioners call it an unfunded mandate

Commission sends proposed change on water-right relinquishment for parcel divisions to Planning Commission for study

State engineer outlines groundwater-basin assessments and why some basin rates rose or fell

County approves application for $635,000 grant to pilot transitional housing for youth despite commissioners' reservations