Lander County commissioners on April 10 approved a package of grants, contracts and budget actions intended to move forward airport and infrastructure projects, and they declined a nonprofit’s pilot program to add service navigation to public defense.

The board voted to accept FAA and state grant applications to design runway and hangar work at local airports, authorized engineering contracts for water‑main and paving planning, awarded a jack‑and‑bore contract beneath State Route 305, renewed multiple site‑license agreements for communications providers, approved routine groundwater basin budget adjustments from the Nevada Division of Water Resources and submitted the county’s tentative FY2025–26 budget to the state. Separately, commissioners voted to disapprove a proposed pilot by the Nevada Public Health Foundation to place a service navigator with public defenders in the county.

Why it matters: The actions clear the way for design work and future construction at Austin, Battle Mountain and other county airports, set engineering work in motion for water‑system and paving projects, and preserve cashflow and grant eligibility by filing required budgets and grant signatures. Rejecting the public‑defense pilot leaves in place current local arrangements for coordinating social and legal services rather than starting a county‑led navigation pilot funded by opioid‑settlement grant dollars.

Key decisions and supporting details

- Airports and grants: The board approved an FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) design grant application to rehabilitate Runway 1–19 and connector taxiways at Austin Airport (FAA share $231,397; Lander County match $12,179) and an IIJA (formerly BIL) design grant application for an 80×80 hangar at Battle Mountain Airport (FAA share $109,772; county match $5,778). JUB (David Meyer) presented both projects and outlined schedule targets and funding sources.

- Engineering contracts and projects: Commissioners approved an engineering services proposal from Day Engineering for design work on the Ethel and Pleasant Hill water‑mains and paving project (not to exceed $411,000). The county will use engineering funds set aside this year (roughly $250,000) for the design phase, with construction expected in a later budget year.

- Jack‑and‑bore award: The board awarded an NDOT jack‑and‑bore contract (PWP LADash2025Dash236) to Honeywell Construction for $288,238.76 to install a crossing under State Route 305 for utility infrastructure; county engineering staff said NV Energy will share use of the conduit, producing substantial cost savings.

- Site licenses and communications: The board renewed site license agreements with Rainbow Broadband and Sky Fiber (Battle Mountain water tower and Mount Lewis communications tower) with one confidentiality clause removed from a renewal; commissioners verified that an earlier camera referenced in backup materials had been removed and would not be reinstalled as part of the license.

- Budget and water resources: The board approved tentative Lander County budgets for FY2025–26 for submission to the Nevada Department of Taxation and accepted DWR groundwater basin budget adjustments for multiple basins (dollar amounts were read into the record for each basin).

- Business improvement extension: The board granted a not‑to‑exceed 90‑day extension for completion of the Business Improvement Program project for Muddies 268 LLC dba The Covered Wagon to allow boundary‑adjustment and parcel‑map work to conclude.

- Public‑defense pilot: After discussion, the board voted to disapprove a proposed pilot project, sponsored by the Nevada Public Health Foundation and seeking Resilient Nevada (opioid settlement) funds, to provide a service‑navigation/community‑health worker to work with public defenders. Supporters said the pilot could reduce re‑arrests and shorten jail stays; opponents on the board cited past unsuccessful attempts and asked for more evidence and sustainability details. The formal motion to disapprove carried; one commissioner abstained citing a potential affiliation.

Votes at a glance (selected formal actions recorded in the meeting)

- FAA AIP design grant — rehabilitate Runway 1–19 and connector taxiways (Austin Airport). Outcome: approved. Funding: FAA $231,397; Lander County match $12,179. (Motion introduced on record; board vote recorded as approved.)

- FAA IIJA design grant — construct hangar design (Battle Mountain Airport). Outcome: approved. Funding: FAA $109,772; Lander County match $5,778. (Motion and second on record; approved.)

- Day Engineering proposal — Ethel & Pleasant Hill water mains and paving (design). Outcome: approved (not to exceed $411,000). County will use engineering reserves this fiscal year to pay design fees.

- Business Improvement Program extension — Muddies 268 LLC dba The Covered Wagon. Outcome: approved (extension not to exceed 90 days).

- NDOT Jack & Bore (PWP LADash2025Dash236). Outcome: bid awarded to Honeywell Construction ($288,238.76).

- Site license renewals — Rainbow Broadband (Battle Mountain water tower), Sky Fiber (Battle Mountain water tower and Mount Lewis). Outcome: approved (confidentiality clause removed in one renewal; board confirmed no camera will be operable at the Battle Mountain water‑tower site per recorded discussion).

- Interlocal contract — Nevada Division of Public and Community Health nursing program (county share $416.67 per month; total contract not to exceed $20,000, effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2029). Outcome: approved.

- Groundwater basin budgets — multiple basins and dollar amounts read into the record. Outcome: approved.

- Tentative county budgets FY2025–26 — submission to Department of Taxation. Outcome: approved.

- Pilot project (Nevada Public Health Foundation) — proposed service navigation for public‑defense clients. Outcome: disapproved (motion to disapprove carried; one abstention noted).

What the board did not finalize

- Ordinance 2025‑03 (amending Lander County Code Title 12, Chapter 12.08 on obstructing streets and removal of abandoned vehicles) remained under revision. Staff and county legal worked with the sheriff’s office and district attorney to add language (including a proposed new section on moving a vehicle less than 100 feet and a 72‑hour registration rule); the commission directed staff to return the ordinance in writing at a future meeting after the agreed edits and consistency clean‑up were incorporated.

Process and next steps

Commissioners authorized the county manager to sign grant applications where required and directed staff to return revised ordinance language at a future meeting. Several design projects now move into procurement and detailed design phases, after which construction grant applications or bids will seek separate approvals.

Ending note: Most approvals were unanimous on voice votes; when commissioners noted potential conflicts (for example, abstentions tied to employer relationships), those abstentions were stated on the record.