Fire commissioners approve school-district agreement to tap school well for new Ruby Valley volunteer station

The Elko County Board of Fire Commissioners on a unanimous voice vote approved a cooperative agreement with the Elko County School District that allows the new Ruby Valley Volunteer Fire Department station to tap the school district’s existing well for training, suppression and domestic use.

Chairman (unnamed) introduced the item and said Chief Peterson would lead the discussion. Chief Peterson said the new station is being built adjacent to the school and the school “already have an existing well that has a large enough pump and water supply and water rights, to help support the station.” He said using the school’s system avoids drilling a new well next to the school and the associated risk of impacting the school’s water system.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved to approve the agreement and the motion was seconded (Bridal). Chairman called for discussion; Chief Peterson confirmed the school board approved its portion of the agreement at its meeting the previous night. With no public comment, the board voted and the motion carried.

The agreement is intended to provide a shared water source for the Ruby Valley station’s training exercises and suppression needs and to reduce construction impacts to the school’s water infrastructure. No implementation date or detailed operation schedule was specified during the meeting. The board did not record individual roll-call votes by name in the transcript.