Carson City approves two-year interim agreement to buy state surface water while Marlette Lake is repaired

Carson City on a unanimous vote approved a two‑year interlocal agreement with the State of Nevada to purchase surface water while Marlette Lake and its dam are out of service during repairs. Public Works Director Darren Schultz told the board the interim contract is similar to past short‑term agreements but extends the term to two years and increases the per‑thousand‑gallon rate by $0.85. The contract also lowers the monthly service charge because Marlette Lake cannot currently deliver water while the dam work is completed.

Schultz said the city will continue to take available surface water that drains to the east slope and treat it at the Quill Water Treatment Plant. He said the lake refill timeline depends on weather and could take a couple of years or, in a worst case, as long as eight years before Marlette Lake can resume deliveries. When Marlette Lake is available again, state deliveries would resume under the contract terms.

Supervisor White asked about the reduction on page 109 of the agreement that refers to bond payments; Schultz confirmed the bond is held by the state, not Carson City. Supervisor Geomey asked for a status update on the Quill Water Treatment Plant; Schultz said construction has been underway for about a year, the plant is scheduled to be ready to treat water mid‑to‑late summer next year, and the project is on schedule and on budget.

Supervisor Way moved to approve the contract as presented; the motion carried unanimously with no public comment.

The board did not set a later effective date in the discussion. Implementation now depends on executing the interlocal agreement and on monitoring Marlette Lake refill conditions and Quill plant commissioning.