Storey County commissioners approve grants, zoning changes, K-9 funding and road safety barriers

Storey County commissioners on Feb. 18 approved a series of grant awards, contract extensions and land‑use permits, and authorized purchases to boost courthouse security and public‑safety capacity.

The board approved a $25,000 Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) grant to add cameras and other security upgrades in the justice court; accepted two Department of Public Safety Office of Criminal Justice Assistance (OCJA) grants totaling $45,836.64 to purchase and equip two drug‑detection canines; approved an unbudgeted grant‑funded hiring of two community health workers; extended a contract for industrial tax appraisals; and authorized purchases of movable vehicle‑stopping barriers for use at special events and emergency scenes.

Why it matters: the approvals fund staff and equipment that county officials say will improve courtroom safety, public‑health outreach and law‑enforcement capabilities while clearing immediate road‑safety and event‑security gaps.

Key votes and decisions

- Justice court security: Austin Osborne, county manager, told commissioners Justice of the Peace Harrington received a $25,000 AOC grant toward an approximately $37,000 security program; the board approved accepting the grant and providing the necessary local match as presented. The motion carried.

- Community health workers: Stacy York, director, clarified a previously approved Resilient Nevada grant covers two continuous community health worker positions with $168,848 allocated for salary and benefits; commissioners approved hiring the second position.

- Tax appraisal contract extension: Assessor Janice Seddon requested a ~3‑year extension for Mark Stafford to continue performing tax appraisals, at a rate described in the packet as $75–$150 per hour; the board approved the extension.

- Special‑use permits for additional building height (data centers/industrial): Planning staff recommended and the board approved three special‑use permits (files 2025‑001, 2025‑002 and 2025‑003) allowing maximum building heights up to 125 feet on specified parcels within the Tahoe‑Reno/Industrial Center and adjacent USA Parkway properties. Planning staff said these permits provide a buffer above the existing 75‑foot limit to accommodate multi‑story data‑center designs; the planning commission had recommended unanimous approval. A small number of abstentions were recorded during these items per the record; staff read the findings of fact and conditions into the record.

- Cemetery parcel and special use permit: The board approved Special Use Permit 2025‑010 and Parcel Map 2025‑011 to sever surface rights from a patented mining claim and create a 4.92‑acre parcel to be conveyed to Storey County for expansion of the existing Virginia City public cemetery. Planning staff explained the parcel is being created from a patented mining claim and will be used as a civic use under the forestry zone; the remainder of the patent/mining claim remains unchanged. County counsel and staff confirmed protections for the cemetery surface estate were part of the approvals.

- K‑9 grants and operations: Sheriff Cullen presented two OCJA awards: $30,836.64 to buy two drug‑detection canines and equipment and $15,000 for training and miscellaneous equipment for deputies assigned to the county drug initiative program; the board approved both grants. Sheriff Cullen described a proposed $5,000 annual line item in next year’s budget to cover recurring K‑9 costs (insurance, veterinary, consumables). Becky Gray and Victoria Howan of the OCJA answered questions about typical ongoing costs; estimates provided in the meeting ranged from about $1,200 to a conservative $5,000 per year depending on local arrangements and donations. Reserve Deputy Guy Jessup said the locally formed Blue Line Canine Foundation will help supplement ongoing costs.

- Dominion Voting Systems amendment: Clerk/Treasurer Jim Hindle and deputy elections official Mark Allen presented Amendment 3 to the county’s 2017 contract with Dominion Voting Systems for updated software, licensing, warranty and support; the board approved the amendment and related budget commitments for FY2026 and FY2027. Hindle noted a forthcoming federal/state security standard could require further software or equipment changes and that any future impacts would come back to the board.

- Road safety barriers purchase: Adam Wilson, director of emergency management, proposed purchasing modular vehicle barriers and star‑shaped “arc stopper” units for event security and emergency closures at a quoted total of $99,536. Wilson said the selected barriers minimize damage to pavement, are manually deployable and retain emergency vehicle access; the board authorized the purchase.

- Other routine or administrative approvals: commissioners also approved two OCJA canine‑related grant line items and the reappointment of Erica Perry to the Story County Debt Management Commission; they approved the second reading of routine business licenses, and the assessor’s contract extension and other consent items that were on the consent calendar.

What officials said

Austin Osborne, county manager: “Judge Harrington had received a grant…to contribute towards a $37,000 program to enhance security in the justice court,” and staff brought the unanticipated grant forward for board authorization.

Sheriff Cullen: on recurring K‑9 costs, he said the department intends to include about $5,000 in the upcoming budget to cover insurance, routine care and a modest reserve for veterinary events.

Adam Wilson, emergency management director: the selected barriers were chosen because “they can stop vehicles traveling at high rates of speed from a direct attack… and cause limited damage to the roadway,” and they are deployable without heavy equipment.

Next steps and follow‑up

- Staff will finalize procurement and installation of the justice‑court security equipment and report back on implementation timelines. - The county will hire the two community health workers under the Resilient Nevada grant and incorporate the positions into the 2024–25 hiring plan. - Parcel Map 2025‑011 will be recorded after required conditions are met, and the 4.92‑acre parcel will be transferred to Storey County for cemetery expansion. - The sheriff’s office will take delivery and place the new K‑9s into service once procurement, training and donations are in place; the blue‑line foundation will assist with fundraising and ongoing support.

Ending

Commissioners closed the meeting after approving the final second readings of business licenses and directing staff and county lobbyists to represent Story County positions on a set of pending state bills discussed during the legislative update portion of the meeting.