Nye County roundup: liquor license approved, fire station contract awarded, $1M for roads and other actions

The Nye County Board of County Commissioners took multiple administrative and contracting actions on May 6 in Pahrump and Tonopah. Key outcomes included approval of a Beatty retail liquor license, award of a fire‑station construction contract, a $1 million allocation for road repairs, funding for airport projects, and a continuation or scheduling action on detention medical services. Votes were unanimous unless noted.

Votes at a glance - Retail liquor license — Tank and Marty LLC (DBA Sourdough Saloon), Beatty (Item 8): The county’s Liquor & Licensing Board approved a retail liquor license for the applicant. The county completed background checks and staff recommended approval; the application passed without objection. (Vote: 5‑0 as recorded in the licensing board session.)

- Kellogg Fire Station No. 3 — Bid award and contract (Item 10): Commissioners awarded bid number TOP2025‑01 for the Kellogg Fire Station No. 3 expansion to Top Right Builders for $1,810,510 and approved the contract. Commissioners and staff said the project will add an apparatus bay and utilities to support better emergency response on Pahrump’s south side. The board required close management of change orders because the successful low bid was substantially lower than other proposals. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- $1,000,000 for county roads (Item 14): The board approved an appropriation of $1,000,000 from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) to the Public Works Department to repair Nye County roads. Commissioners directed Public Works to prepare a plan identifying the projects and priorities for the funds; the board emphasized use of the county/RTC prioritization list and asked staff to report back during upcoming budget discussions. Comptroller staff clarified approximately $4.6 million would remain in LATCF after the $1 million allocation. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- Sheriff vehicle funding — $60,000 for detective/non‑patrol vehicles (Item 15): The Board approved a $60,000 appropriation from LATCF to the Sheriff’s Office to fund detective non‑patrol vehicles. Commissioners said the detective fleet requires newer vehicles for reliability and officers’ safety; staff said the comptroller and fleet staff will assist with procurement. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- Airport projects — Beatty and Tonopah (Item 20): The board approved funding from LATCF for three airport projects scoped by the county’s aviation consultant (Adkins/Atkins): emergency generator replacement and lighting for one airport, taxiway reseal and lighting work for Tonopah, and Beatty runway/taxiway reseal and apron repairs. The board’s earlier budget authority and the FAA/state reimbursement structure were discussed; staff noted the county will be reimbursed for allowable “project formulation” costs once FAA airport improvement program grants are issued. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- Airport master plan and Beatty plan presentation (Items 22–23): Staff and the county’s aviation consultant presented results of current and planned projects at Beatty and Tonopah airports and previewed the Beatty Airport Master Plan. The master plan identifies short‑, medium‑ and long‑term projects including runway safety‑area grading, parallel taxiway construction, apron expansion, new lighting and signage, and a well. A public workshop was scheduled in Beatty for May 7 to receive community input on the master plan.

- Appointment of substitute justice of the peace (Item 12): The board appointed Michael Foley from the panel of substitute justices of the peace to fill a temporary vacancy. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- Consent agenda (Item 11): Routine items on the consent agenda (including items 11.1 and 11.2) were approved without discussion. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- Proclamation honoring multi‑agency rescue & recovery (Item 13): The board approved a proclamation thanking multiple agencies and individuals involved in a search and recovery operation for a missing aircraft and pilot. The proclamation named participating entities and agencies; commissioners presented copies to attendees from participating agencies. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- Special prosecutor retainer (Item 18): The board authorized the use of a special prosecutor (Frank Como, Esq.) to investigate and take appropriate legal action related to the death of an inmate at the Nye County Detention Facility, with a contract cap of $30,000 charged to the general fund; the DA explained the need for outside counsel where a conflict prevents the DA from handling the matter internally. (Vote: 5‑0.)

- Detention medical services (Item 19): A proposed contract for inmate medical services with Vista Health, budgeted at $1.5 million for May 6, 2025–May 6, 2026, generated public comment and questions. Commissioners voted to continue consideration of the item to the June 3 meeting to allow additional review and follow‑up with hospital and local medical providers.

What commissioners said and next steps Commissioners emphasized fiscal oversight and close management of contractors and change orders on construction projects. Several commissioners said the $1 million roads allocation was a start but noted the county needs a multi‑year capital plan (RTC list and engineering work) to address the county’s long‑term backlog. For airport projects staff explained the federal Airport Improvement Program will reimburse eligible costs; the county must incur some project formulation costs ahead of FAA grants.

Several routine and administrative items passed on unanimous votes; items requiring more review (notably the inmate medical contract) were continued so staff can provide additional documentation. The board scheduled follow‑up reports and directed departments to return with implementation details where required.