Storey County seeks federal funding for Silver City water main, public-safety complex, Divide water line and 8th Street stabilization

Storey County staff asked the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 6 to submit four initial federal community project funding (CPF) requests to the county's congressional delegation, and the board authorized staff to proceed.

Sarah (county staff) said the county will present these requests to senators and the congressman during CPF discussions in February and noted that the requested amounts could be adjusted after delegation feedback. "Our top priority is the Silver City water main replacement project. We're proposing an initial request of $3,000,000 toward a total project cost of $12,000,000," Sarah said. She described that project as a replacement of Silver City's primary potable-water source and an aging line dating to the 1870s.

The other three initial asks presented were $3,000,000 toward an estimated $55,000,000 public-safety complex to replace the county's outdated sheriff's office and jail and consolidate functions; $1,000,000 toward a $2,000,000 Divide (Virginia City) water-mainline replacement to improve reliability; and $2,000,000 toward a $4,000,000 8th Street road and slope-stabilization project that addresses ongoing slope instability threatening public safety in the area of Piper's Opera House.

Sarah noted the county submitted similar requests last year and received a letter of support from Lyon County; she said staff plans to seek support from Lyon County again. Commissioner Mitchell moved to approve staff proceeding with the CPF submissions and the board voted unanimously.

Ending Staff will present the initial requests to congressional staff in February; requested amounts are initial asks and may be revised per the delegation's guidance.