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Lyon County records support for state-approved temporary water-use change for application 946618
Summary
The board took a recorded position supporting a state-approved temporary change to a portion of water right permit 65299 (application 946618). City officials said the move is temporary while an on-site well is drilled; the board voted 5-0 to note its support on the record.
The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners went on the record in support of a state-approved temporary change to a portion of water-right permit 65299, filed as application 946618 on Aug. 21, 2025.
Doctor Shayla Holmes, standing in for the county manager, told the board the state water engineer had already approved the temporary change, leaving the county the option to approve, table or do nothing; staff framed the measure as a temporary transfer of place and manner of use spanning Lyon and Mineral counties (SEG 114-124, SEG 110-112). Holmes noted the county manager was attending online and that the approval by the state engineer included a requirement for an annual beneficial-use form.
Jerry Bryan, introduced as interim city manager, said the city board approved the application in August and that the short-term plan is to use water pulled from south Lyon County on-site for roughly the first year while the city constructs an on-site well; he added the state engineer had also approved the application (SEG 147-161, SEG 154-161). Bryan told commissioners the arrangement is temporary, does not forfeit city water rights, and helps the city address about a $1,000,000 shortfall in its water and sewer enterprise funds by providing near-term revenue from reservation and pumpage fees (Bryan cited a reservation fee just over $600,000 and a pumpage fee up to about $375,000) (SEG 195-203, SEG 200-203). He said the agreement27s end date is June 30, 2028 (SEG 190-191).
A resident who spoke during public comment said they opposed removing water from the city and urged drilling a well in Mineral County instead; commissioners acknowledged the public comment and discussed the limited effect of county action because the state engineer had already approved the change (SEG 127-135, SEG 236-239).
After discussion, Commissioner Hockaday moved to note the board27s support of the project and Commissioner Jacobson seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
The county27s action on the record does not alter the state engineer27s prior approval; staff noted the state27s permitting conditions remain binding, including required annual beneficial-use reporting.
