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Churchill County resident alleges bias in county manager recruitment, requests records and investigation
Summary
Clay Hendricks, a Churchill County resident and former applicant for county manager, told the Board of County Commissioners during public comment that the recruitment process appeared skewed in favor of an internal candidate and said he had filed public‑records requests and would seek an independent review if the board took no action.
Clay Hendricks, a Churchill County resident and member of the Nevada State Bar, used the public‑comment period to say he had been a candidate for the county manager job and to accuse county officials of manipulating the hiring process.
Hendricks said he applied in good faith and that a county employee told him the current county manager took steps to block applications, including Hendricks’s, so the assistant county manager would not face competition. “Is this a legitimate and open recruitment or is there already a preferred candidate?” Hendricks asked. He described the review panel as “just 3 individuals — the city mayor, the county manager, and one other person,” and said that at least one finalist had listed the mayor as a reference while another finalist was the assistant county manager supported by the county manager, which he said created the appearance of bias.
Hendricks said he has filed public‑records requests with Churchill County and the city of Fallon for screening documents, scores, communications (including text messages and emails) and deleted device content tied to the recruitment. He told commissioners that a county employee who contacted him is protected as a whistleblower under Nevada law and asked the board to preserve records and protect the employee’s identity. “If these allegations are true, this is favoritism. It’s [a] serious breach of public trust,” Hendricks said, and urged the commission either to appoint an independent investigator, reopen the recruitment, or have the county manager resign or recuse himself from the process.
County legal staff responded during the meeting. Assistant district attorney/county counsel Joe Sanford told the board he had reviewed the candidates and the process, describing it as “a standard process carried throughout the state” and saying, “I do not have any concern about the legitimacy of this particular process.” Sanford said the county would comply with public‑records requests and take any required steps if litigation follows.
Crystal Moschetto, county staff, told the board the agenda was posted on May 29 in accordance with applicable statutes.
Why it matters: Hendricks’ public comment raises procedural and transparency concerns about a major county hire and seeks documents that could affect the timeline and outcome of the recruitment. Commissioners signaled they had heard the comment and asked county legal staff to respond; the county attorney said the process was standard and that the county would comply with records law.
Meeting context: Hendricks delivered his remarks during the public‑comment portion of a meeting devoted primarily to interviews for the county manager position. The county attorney answered questions from the board afterward and said the county will comply with any records requests and address potential litigation as necessary.
What’s next: Hendricks said he will submit his statement in writing and pursue additional review if the commission does not investigate. County staff said they will process public‑records requests and that legal counsel will advise the board if litigation is filed.
(Reporting note: Quotes in this article are verbatim from the meeting transcript. Statements about legal protections and requests for records reflect comments made during public comment and the county attorney’s subsequent remarks.)
