Elko County RTC approves quarterly highway fund report; diesel tax collections held pending refunds

The Elko County Regional Transportation Commission on a unanimous voice vote approved its quarterly Regional Street and Highway Fund financial report, which showed $8,400,000 in assets as of June 30, 2024 and fiscal-year 2024 revenues of about $5,000,000 and expenditures of about $3.4 million.

The report presenter, Susan (RTC staff), said the packet reflected the fund position as of June 30, 2024 and noted diesel-fuel tax collections began in November and are being held by the state until a full year of collections is complete. "To the best of my knowledge, what happens with the diesel tax is the state holds 20% of the diesel tax in case someone wants to ask for refunds," Susan said. She said those withheld amounts are remitted to counties at the end of the state's accounting period.

Susan also provided an updated December 31 snapshot after the meeting, saying net assets in the fund rose to $9,900,000 as of Dec. 31, and that collections for the current fiscal year include roughly $1,000,000 in motor‑vehicle (gas) tax and $841,000 in diesel‑tax revenue. She said local apportionments from the new diesel tax will not open for requests until a full 12 months of collections are available.

A board member moved to approve the quarterly report; the motion was seconded and carried with two ayes. The commission's approval will allow staff to finalize the quarterly files and make apportionment information available once the state completes its holding period for diesel‑tax funds.

Commissioners and staff discussed one line labeled "supplemental" in the report; Susan characterized it as state‑held diesel amounts retained in case refunds are requested and not a permanent restriction on county funds.

The vote followed routine review and a brief Q&A; no public comment was offered on the item.

The commission also heard subsequent agency and city project updates after approving the report.