The Elko Television District on Tuesday voted to hire Diversified Consulting Services (DCS) as the district’s on-call engineering firm and authorized up to $25,000 to begin engineering and surveying work for repairs on Grindstone Road.

The board selected DCS after scoring two proposals. Ray, a board member and member of the RFP scoring committee, said, “DCS came out in my scoring significantly ahead of IMEG. So I would recommend DCS.” The motion to hire the firm carried; one board member recused and Kent abstained from that vote.

Why it matters: the district has budgeted capital funds for road work at Grindstone but had not budgeted engineering costs. Board members said an engineer’s estimate is needed to understand whether the budgeted amount will cover construction, and whether prevailing-wage rules or other legal constraints will change the project scope.

What the board approved and the next steps: Mike Murphy, principal engineer for Diversified Consulting Services, told the board his firm would work under task orders and asked that the board authorize the chair to sign task orders to begin work. Murphy said the firm would bill by the hour and try to remain within any task-order cap. As Murphy put it, “We don’t do anything until you issue me a task to do.”

The board then moved to authorize an initial engineering cap of $25,000 and delegated authority to the chair to issue task orders within that limit. Board members discussed the possibility that prevailing-wage rules could apply and require bidding; district counsel had previously indicated Nevada prevailing-wage requirements may apply, and a follow-up legal call with the district attorney was scheduled.

Discussion points included phasing the repair (starting at the canyon section near the corrals and moving upward), the need for drone or ground surveying to scope repairs, and possible coordination with Mine/County road supervisors to align expectations. Ray asked that engineers provide a detailed scope and estimate to return to the board for any additional appropriations.

The board’s action does not authorize construction; it funds engineering, surveying and a design estimate so the board can determine total project cost, procurement route and schedule. If prevailing-wage rules apply, board members acknowledged that the higher construction cost and the requirement to bid work could reduce how much repair can be completed within the district’s capital budget.

Ending: The board asked staff to pursue a near-term meeting (including DCS and county road staff) to review options and return with the engineer’s report and any procurement recommendations.