Central Nevada Health District board approves tentative FY2026 budget, two state subawards and member fees

The Central Nevada Health District board on Feb. 13, 2025 approved its tentative budget for fiscal year 2026, accepted two state subawards totaling $164,969 and set the district's annual base fee and per-capita capital fees for member jurisdictions.

The board voted to accept a subaward from the Office of State Epidemiology for $10,075 to support the district's epidemiology, disease investigation and case management work, and a separate subaward from the Immunization Office of Child, Family, and Community Wellness for $154,894 to support planning and implementation of COVID-19 vaccination services through June 30, 2025. Darren Winkelman, speaking to the board, described the smaller award as: "This is a grant, again, we received from the state. It helps really to, help with our ongoing efforts in our, epidemiology program and our disease investigation and case management program." He said the larger award includes equipment and contractual costs and noted, "That cost is built into, by some, generator type equipment for the new building. And so we are excited about that. That will allow for, if the power goes out, those generators will kick on. Basically, the protection of all of our vaccine, not just the COVID-nineteen vaccine that we have." All motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

On fees, the board established the district's FY26 annual base rate fee and a per-person capital fee computed at $5 per resident using the State Demographer's Report figures. The itemized per-capita totals were read into the record for each member jurisdiction, including the City of Fallon, Churchill County, Pershing County, Mineral County and Eureka County. Don Whitten moved approval of the fee schedule and Justin Heath seconded; the motion carried.

The board also approved the Central Nevada Health District's tentative budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 and requested that the Churchill County Comptroller provide the necessary documents to the Churchill County Board of County Commissioners and the Nevada Department of Taxation as required by chapter 354 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Winkelman told the board the proposal is “pretty flat” compared with current-year figures: "Basically we have a revenue of, just a little over 2.6, almost 2.7. And we have an expense of about 2.6." He said the budget seeks no new positions and that the district plans to hold open the clinical manager position after the current incumbent leaves, then reevaluate midyear.

Winkelman said the tentative budget includes capital outlay just under $300,000 for build-out expenses at the district's new building — primarily IT and data cabling — and that the budget's final shape depends on state grant awards. He noted the governor's budget includes $15,000,000 for health districts as an extension of SB 118 funding, which could affect final revenues.

Board discussion touched on recent changes to utilities responsibility after the district moved into the building now occupied by county social services; the board heard that utility costs rose because the district is now responsible for a share of electric, gas and water costs that the county previously absorbed. Brandon Chadwick asked about apparent fluctuations in utility line-item figures; Winkelman explained the shift in responsibility and that the $18,000 increase in the budgeted utility line reflects recent months' bills.

The board took public comment at the start of the meeting; a member of the public spoke on matters unrelated to the agenda. The district's health officer provided a written staff report and did not appear in person. The meeting adjourned after the staff reports.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (Jan. 9, 2025): Motion by Brandon Chadwick, second by Don Whitten; approved by voice vote with no opposition. - Subaward — Office of State Epidemiology to Central Nevada Health District: $10,075 for epidemiology support (11/01/2024–02/28/2025). Motion by Bob Erickson, second by Don Whitten; approved by voice vote with no opposition. - Subaward — Immunization Office (Child, Family, and Community Wellness) to Central Nevada Health District: $154,894 for COVID-19 vaccination planning/implementation (01/13/2025–06/30/2025). Motion by Bob Erickson, second by Brandon Chadwick; approved by voice vote with no opposition. - FY26 annual base rate and per-capita capital fees: Motion by Don Whitten, second by Justin Heath; approved by voice vote with no opposition. - Tentative FY26 budget (07/01/2025–06/30/2026) and request for Churchill County Comptroller to file required documents with BOCC and Department of Taxation under NRS chapter 354: Motion by Bob Erickson, second by Don Whitten; approved by voice vote with no opposition.

The board's approvals set the district's financial framework for the coming year pending final grant awards and the capital build-out schedule for the new facility.