Fallon County commissioners on June 24 discussed multiple staffing and budget matters across county departments, including a plan to advertise a combined planner/GIS position, a unanimous vote to accept a county gravel bid, and a round of budget reviews that highlighted upcoming capital requests for airport projects, fairgrounds improvements and a possible museum virtual-reality exhibit.

The commissioners directed staff to prepare a job description and start the hiring process for a new planning/GIS role after county offices reported rising workload and trouble recruiting a certified planner. Commissioners discussed alternatives if no qualified planner applies, including hiring an administrative assistant, sharing a full-time planner under an interlocal agreement (Dawson County was mentioned as a possible partner), or contracting planning services. Commissioners and staff agreed the first step is to finalize a job description and salary band so the position can be advertised and budgeted.

In a formal vote, the board accepted the county road material bid from Wyrick’s for $13 per yard, a motion that passed unanimously. That award will be used to supply county road crews this season.

The meeting also featured extended budget reviews and project briefings. Road department staff detailed equipment and capital needs — including blade and baler replacement cycles, shop lighting and minor shop capital — and presented a request to continue funding routine repairs and road materials. The road department’s request and the Wyrick’s bid were highlighted as part of the larger equipment-and-materials plan for 2026.

Airport staff briefed commissioners on a runway and airport maintenance program expected to be mostly grant-funded; the commissioners discussed ongoing engineering and project costs and a separate conversation about whether to retain a paid lobbyist for federal advocacy. The board asked staff to gather more detail about consultant costs and how contractors and grant matches will be handled in the coming fiscal year.

Fairgrounds managers presented budget requests for multi-year maintenance and event costs, including a multi-part proposal to: (1) upgrade lights in the arena, (2) fund concerts, carnival and rodeo entertainment budgets separately to make event-level decisions clearer, and (3) cover infrastructure repairs such as concrete, gates and generator work. Managers said arena lighting and a handful of large capital repairs will likely be pushed to the capital projects fund (noted by staff). Commissioners asked staff and fairgrounds managers to provide bids and timing so the board can decide which projects to fund and whether to pursue grant funding for bigger items.

The museum director summarized a proposed community-focused project — a tailored virtual-reality dinosaur experience — and asked the board to approve a placeholder in the budget to allow pursuit of matching grants. The project would require outside grant funding; the museum offered to pursue grants that typically cap around $50,000 and asked the commission to place a $10,000 local match in the county budget if grant offers come through. Commissioners asked the museum director to return with a grant plan and funding sources before the board commits county match funds.

Other budget discussions covered library, parks, shooting-range and EMS / public-safety budgets. Staff reported a modest new EMS grant for training supplies, ongoing equipment and supplies needs across departments, and a request to favor conservative, flexible budgeting to accommodate spikes in fuel, repair or seasonal work.

Votes at a glance
- Gravel bid (Wyrick’s, $13/yard): motion to accept passed unanimously (formal vote recorded). Mover/second not recorded on transcript.
- Board appointments: commissioners approved several reappointments and fills for advisory boards and commissions during the meeting; those appointments were recorded with unanimous votes.
- Mid-month claims (June): board approved mid-month claims for $398,851.96, unanimous.

What’s next
Staff will prepare a job description and salary recommendation for the combined planner/GIS role and will return with details on whether an interlocal agreement with Dawson County is feasible. Department heads were asked to provide firm bids for big maintenance and capital projects (arena lighting, fairgrounds concrete and gates, airport technical fees and runway work), and museum staff will return with a grant application timeline and match plan for the proposed virtual-reality exhibit. The board left several budget amounts tentative until staff can provide firm quotes and funding plans.

This meeting produced multiple operational actions and set follow-ups: staff were directed to gather job description details, obtain contractor bids for major fairgrounds and airport work, and return with grant proposals where local matching funds may be needed.