Nevada Board of Examiners approves Project Mint update, multiple contracts and contingency payments

CARSON CITY, Nev.

The Nevada Board of Examiners on Dec. 11 approved dozens of contracts and contingency payments, recommended four allocations to the Interim Finance Committee and heard an update on the Department of Taxation's new Project Mint e-services portal.

Yvonne Devares Goodson, chief deputy director for the Department of Taxation, told the board the department launched the first phase of Project Mint and its MyNevada tax portal this week. "On day 1 of rollout, we collected $5,000,000 in revenue and 0 errors with the system," she said, adding that the release was completed "timely and within budget" and invited board members to demonstrations after the new year.

The board approved routine business including the Nov. 12, 2024 meeting minutes and a request from the Department of Public Safety, Nevada Highway Patrol Division, to purchase eight replacement vehicles for a total not to exceed $473,309.

Several personnel and emergency-contract requests from the Department of Education were considered and approved under NRS 333.705. The board approved the department's use of emergency provisions to contract with former employees Heidi Hartz and Martha Wojachowski through Manpower to manage COVID-relief funds and provide administrative support, respectively. The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy also received authority to contract with former employee Ryan Miller through Marathon Staffing Group for training and coordination services.

The board designated correctional officer positions as a critical labor shortage under NRS 286.523 for Dec. 1, 2024'June 30, 2025, a step the Department of Corrections said will support recruitment and retention efforts.

Financial actions included approval to pay $202,500 from the stale claims account for a settlement agreement and approval to pay $900,000 from the statutory contingency account to Kirsten Blaise Lobato as compensation for a wrongful conviction, requested under NRS 41.950 and NRS 41.970.

The board voted to recommend four allocations to the Interim Finance Committee under NRS 353.268: $448,228 to cover costs associated with the Department of Corrections peer support program and academy training; $154,634 to continue the 1.5 PERS hiring incentive program for Clark and Washoe counties; $374,572 to replenish funding for state special education services; and $823,120 to support the adoption subsidy program in the Division of Child and Family Services.

Land and contract approvals included a land lease agreement to Malaski Ventures LLC for property at 1054 Commerce Street in Las Vegas (contingent on IFC approval), approval of three proposed leases, approval of 53 contracts (one contract, number 19, had been withdrawn by the agency), and approval of 15 master service agreements. The Clerk of the Board also reported 41 informational contracts (between $10,000 and $100,000) previously approved by the Clerk.

Public comment was brief: Yvonne Devares Goodson used the comment period to announce Project Mint; John DeCocco thanked the board for revisions to the State Administrative Manual section 2630. A second public comment period drew no speakers. The meeting adjourned following a voice vote.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Approval of Nov. 12, 2024 minutes: motion passed (voice vote). - State vehicle purchase (8 vehicles, not to exceed $473,309): approved. - Emergency contracts (Dept. of Education) for Heidi Hartz and Martha Wojachowski (Manpower): approved under NRS 333.705(4). - Contract with former employee Ryan Miller (Nevada State Board of Pharmacy via Marathon Staffing Group): approved under NRS 333.705(1). - Critical labor shortage designation for correctional officers (Dec. 1, 2024'June 30, 2025) under NRS 286.523: approved. - Stale claims payment of $202,500 (Division of Public and Behavioral Health) under NRS 353.097: approved. - Statutory contingency payment of $900,000 to Kirsten Blaise Lobato under NRS 41.950 and NRS 41.970: approved. - Four IFC allocation recommendations under NRS 353.268 (totaling $1,800,554): approved and forwarded to the Interim Finance Committee. - Land lease to Malaski Ventures LLC for 1054 Commerce Street, Las Vegas (contingent on IFC): approved. - Approval of three proposed leases: approved. - Approval of 53 contracts (one withdrawn): approved. - Approval of 15 master service agreements: approved.

What's next: several approved allocations and the Malaski Ventures LLC lease are contingent on Interim Finance Committee action or other approvals; the Department of Taxation will schedule demonstrations of Project Mint for board offices after the new year.