The Nevada Commission on Off-Highway Vehicles approved funding to support Story County's SOHO enforcement and education program at its Dec. 13 meeting, awarding $28,065.78 and asking that the applicant, where feasible, purchase radios from an in-state vendor.

Sergeant Beaumont told the commission that Story County created its sheriff's off-highway operations team in 2023 to address a large volume of OHV activity and related incidents. He said the five-person team conducts patrols, VIN inspections and education at events and cited recent incidents including rollovers, a head-on collision and a May 2024 crash that resulted in a fatality.

The application requested a Yamaha quad, an additional trailer for staging and communications equipment to improve remote dispatch connectivity; Beaumont explained communications are often limited to handheld radios or unreliable cell service and that a helmet communication system would improve safety and reduce the need to stop to use a radio. Commissioners had one technical request: a $4,500 radio line included an out-of-state vendor bid; commissioners asked staff to stipulate use of an in-state vendor if possible. The award was approved with that stipulation.

Next steps: Staff will draft a grant agreement reflecting the in-state procurement stipulation and the Story County Sheriff's Office will provide required reporting per the grant schedule.