Nye County certifies Nov. 5 election; public raises concerns about proposed homeless shelter

The Nye County Board of County Commissioners voted 5‑0 on Nov. 15 to certify the returns of the Nov. 5 general election after the county clerk presented the official canvas.

The certification followed several hours of public comment and praise for election staff. Clerk Corey told the board the election had been “very successful” and commissioners and members of the public repeatedly thanked the clerk’s office and volunteers for managing a high turnout and the paper‑ballot process.

Why it matters: Certification is the formal step that closes the county’s review of returns and allows election results to stand absent a legal challenge. Several residents used the public‑comment period to press the board on other items on the agenda and on an ongoing public debate over a proposed homeless shelter.

During public comment Karen Waldman said the county manager earlier ratified a 12/06/2022 memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Partners Network and warned that the county could be financially responsible if grant funding for the proposed shelter ran out. "Only two people voted for this homeless shelter and the county manager acting under the 12/06/2022 MOU was one of them," Waldman told the board, urging an ordinance to regulate shelters and soup kitchens before the project advances.

Nonprofit representative Kathy McKenna, who addressed the board by telephone, said the project is not a county grant or county‑led project and that the applying organization is a nonprofit. "This is not your project," she said, asking the board to note that advisory‑committee membership did not equal sponsorship.

What the board did: After hearing public comments and the clerk’s presentation, a commissioner moved to certify the election; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The board did not adopt other new actions related to the shelter during the certification vote.

Where this goes next: The certified results will be transmitted as required by state law. Separately, the board has scheduled agenda items and public outreach related to the proposed shelter; residents and nonprofit representatives indicated they intend to continue public engagement ahead of any formal board action on that project.