The Elko County Board of Commissioners on July 2 authorized staff to negotiate a professional services contract with Trinity Food Services Group for jail food services, appointed Stephanie Foster as interim public defender and approved the county’s tax levy resolution and tax-roll amendments for 2024–25 as part of routine administrative business.

Under Sheriff Ames told the board that three proposals were received in response to the county request for proposals; Trinity Food Services Group, the incumbent provider, submitted the lowest-cost proposal. The board authorized staff to negotiate a professional-services agreement with the apparent low bidder and to return the final agreement for approval.

The commission also appointed Stephanie Foster to serve as interim public defender, effective immediately, while the county completes recruitment for a permanent public defender. Foster introduced herself at the meeting and said she has worked in the public defender’s office for about 16 years, serving as chief during the prior public defender’s tenure.

Cheryl Hall of the treasurer’s office presented a formal tax-levy resolution (Resolution No. 2025-28) and a related tax-roll amendment to strike off amounts deemed uncollectible for fiscal year 2024–25 under NRS procedures. Hall said there was no increase in the county’s actual levied rates; the maximum allowed rate changed because of assessed-value calculations, but the county remains subject to the statutory $3.66 cap. The board approved both items by voice vote.

Other consent and administrative actions approved at the meeting included a $20,000 grant application to the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts to support Nevada Court data-warehouse technology and adoption of the commission meeting calendar (with a TBD/possible travel date in August). The board approved the consent agenda and adjourned after public comments and committee reports.

Votes at a glance
- I1: Authorize staff to negotiate a professional services contract with Trinity Food Services Group for jail food services: motion carried by voice vote.
- J1: Appoint Stephanie Foster as interim public defender, effective immediately: approved by voice vote.
- K1: Approve Resolution No. 2025-28 to levy tax rates for FY26 (effective 07/01/2025): approved by voice vote.
- K2: Approve tax-roll amendments to strike off taxes deemed uncollectible for FY24–25 pursuant to NRS 361.765(3): approved by voice vote.
- L1: Approve $20,000 grant application to Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts: approved by voice vote.
- M: Approve commission meeting calendar: approved by voice vote.

Why it matters
These administrative approvals keep county operations running: food services at the jail, continuity in indigent defense, required annual tax/levy actions under Nevada law, and grant applications that fund technology improvements for court data reporting. The interim public defender appointment preserves continuity of representation while recruitment continues.