Nye County commissioners appoint county manager, approve court MOU, set 30‑day pro tem judge; landfill fee decision deferred

Brett A. Wagner was appointed Nye County manager at the Board of County Commissioners’ Jan. 6 joint meeting in Tonopah and Pahrump, winning a 4‑1 vote after public comment both supporting and opposing his selection. The board amended and approved an employment agreement for Wagner that includes an annual merit increase provision and a board amendment to cap the automatic annual increases after five years.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the 5th Judicial District Court to transfer a group of court‑clerk positions to the judicial branch. County attorneys said the transfer responds to Nevada Supreme Court precedent recognizing the court’s authority to manage core court personnel; the MOU includes language intended to preserve county cooperation during elections and to clarify budget responsibilities. Commissioners debated collective‑bargaining implications for affected employees before voting to accept the MOU.

The board also appointed Michael Foley to serve as a substitute justice of the peace for up to 30 days while the sitting justice’s absence continues. Foley told the board he has served as a pro tem since 2007 and said he has handled roughly 1,000 cases in that role. Commissioners discussed whether a more experienced or an internal candidate should be chosen; the board ultimately selected Foley.

Landfill financing and proposed increases to solid‑waste fees drew sustained public comment and extended discussion. Public works and solid‑waste staff described rising operating costs, planned capital purchases (including scales and heavy equipment) and a projected shortfall in the landfill fund; staff proposed a modest increase in the annual residential fee (from $30 to $35) and other fee adjustments. Several residents urged the board to pursue alternatives, including stronger anti‑dumping enforcement, county‑BLM partnerships, extended landfill hours for contractors and use of federal or state grants. Commissioners declined to adopt the fee schedule at this meeting and directed staff to return with additional detail and analysis at the first February meeting.

Other actions taken or approved at the meeting included a licensing approval for a beer‑and‑wine permit for a Pahrump restaurant; the award of a records‑preservation contract to Cofile Technologies for $416,481.27; a reimbursable agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy for law‑enforcement support at the Nevada National Security Site (approx. $1,076,310.40); the transfer of K‑9 “Lotus” to a deputy because of the dog’s medical condition; multiple committee and…