Storey County adds Silver City water siphon for federal funding requests after $10M award confusion

Storey County commissioners approved staff to submit an additional request for community project funding for a Silver City water siphon replacement on Feb. 18, 2026, after staff said the county’s expectation about a $10 million award under the 2024 Water Resource Development Act changed.

Laura Mather, the county’s business development director, told the board that the county previously understood the 2024 Water Resource Development Act had awarded $10,000,000 for the siphon project but now believes the funds must be requested through the community project funding process in smaller segments and may require additional federal agency review. “So this is requesting permission to add that project to the 4 that this board approved earlier,” Mather said. She added that county officials plan to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet congressional offices about clarifying whether the award is automatic or must be competed for in the community project process.

Commissioner Mitchell moved to authorize county staff to proceed with the additional submittal for fiscal year 2027; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The Silver City water siphon is part of a set of priority infrastructure projects the board previously forwarded for federal consideration. Whether the $10 million is available automatically or must be re-requested could affect project timing and which portions of the work receive federal support. County staff said they will seek clarification in planned meetings with congressional staff and return with further guidance.

Votes at a glance: Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the additional submittal by voice vote; no roll-call names were provided in the transcript.

Next steps: Staff will pursue the community project funding submittal for the siphon replacement and report back after meetings with federal offices in Washington, D.C.