Bob Ghetto, Churchill County Public Administrator, told the Board of County Commissioners that his office handled 102 cases in the last three years and that 38 of those were “full service” estates requiring more extensive administration.

Ghetto said the public administrator’s office in Churchill County is a small operation that relies on two sworn deputies — Trampton Souza and Corey Brown — and on outside professionals for tax, legal and appraisal help. “My name is Bob Ghetto, and I am the Churchill County Public Administrator,” he said, and described deputies’ duties: Souza assists with firearms and accounts and Brown handles Department of Motor Vehicles work.

Ghetto said public administration in Nevada varies by county and by statute. He told commissioners that some counties assign public administration to the district attorney’s office, while Carson City and others use a different arrangement. He also described the office’s funding mix: Lincoln and Washoe counties were described as larger exceptions, and Churchill County provides a quarterly allocation to stabilize the office.

“The county does an awesome job supporting this office,” Ghetto said, describing a quarterly payment that was increased in July 2024 from $7,500 to $10,000 to help cover rent, software and operating costs. He outlined the fee formula the office uses to recover costs from estates: a graduated percentage (4% of the first amount, 3% of the next portion, then 2% thereafter) plus an hourly rate the commission set in 2019 of $70 per hour for certain services.

Ghetto gave sample scenarios to illustrate how the fee schedule translates into actual administrator compensation, stressing that proceeds vary widely depending on assets and liabilities. He said modest estates might generate only several hundred dollars for administration, while larger estates can result in materially larger fees. He also described the office’s approach to selling estate property: firearms are logged with serial numbers and handled through federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) for liquidation; vehicles and larger collections are usually sold through public or online auctions.

Commissioners asked about the adequacy of the $70 hourly rate and whether the county’s quarterly allocation is sufficient. Ghetto said the $70 rate has not been adjusted since 2019 and that while it does not cover all costs in today’s market, he was not requesting an increase for 2025. On resources, he said the current $10,000-per-quarter contribution “works well for today” but cautioned that software and other operating costs could rise.

Ghetto said his office relies on outside attorneys, a CPA or enrolled agent for tax returns and court oversight to provide checks on administration. He described procedures for appraisal and sale of firearms and vehicles, explaining that selling retail often costs more in staff time and marketing than selling wholesale to an FFL dealer or auction.

The presentation concluded with questions from commissioners about firearms sales and about whether the office should seek a future increase in hourly rates. Ghetto said he will continue to consult with the district attorney’s office and review practices as cost pressures evolve.