Lincoln County commissioners approve safety plan, airport FAA contract and library director wage increase

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 18 adopted an updated county safety plan, approved multiple interlocal and contract agreements and set a pay increase for the county library director.

Recorder/Auditor Amy Elmer told the board that the county’s General Fund had an ending balance of $3,545,352.31 and reviewed other fund balances, and she warned that, “per NRS” employees are responsible for 50% of a recent PERS increase, a change that will show up as a mandated pre-tax pay reduction on affected staff paychecks. Commissioners approved vouchers as presented but held payment for charges tied to the White Pine juvenile probation officer (Dex Imaging, White Pine Silver Stage Travel Center, Verizon) pending clarification; District Attorney April Bradshaw said she would seek answers about the JPO arrangement and whether a 50/50 contract will be established.

The board unanimously adopted the Lincoln County Safety Plan after a presentation from Safety Coordinator Eric Holt; Holt said the plan has been under development since November and that the county will conduct department site visits and recruit to fill vacant committee roles.

On a 4–1 vote, commissioners approved increasing the county Library Director Sharron’s hourly wage to $24.74. The Library Board had recommended a range from $21.73 to $24.74 and asked the commission to pick a rate within that range. Commissioner Diane Path objected to the chosen amount and framed her opposition around service distribution, stating, "Caliente is one of the largest voting communities in Lincoln County ... residents of Caliente would not have access to library services in their area despite their continued financial support." Commissioner Keith Pearson recorded the lone opposing vote.

The board approved a settlement agreement with telecommunications company Vertical Bridge; the motion passed among commissioners present (one commissioner was absent for that vote). The commissioners also approved selecting Sunrise Engineering to perform a CDBG-compliant structural analysis of the historic Mountain View Hotel and authorized a contractor agreement with Saker & Parsons Company for Federal Aviation Administration grant AIP No. 3-32-0016-019-2025 for taxiway reconstruction and apron rehabilitation at the Lincoln County Airport in the amount of $1,074,698. Commissioners Lisa Poulsen and Mike Reese led the airport motion; two commissioners were absent for that vote.

In public safety business the sheriff’s office reported 22 arrests, 37 contract inmates and 12 local inmates with more than $80,000 billed for contract housing. The board also approved a two-year renewal interlocal agreement with Clark County for inmate housing that includes increased per-bed costs.

The board reduced the proposed central services fee in an agreement with the Lincoln County Water District to $15,000 per year and approved that interlocal. A Victim Witness Services (VOCA) item was tabled for future consideration. The meeting closed after routine department reports and commissioner updates; no public comments were offered at the close.

The board set the next meeting for Sept. 2 and did not take final action on the Byway Adventures proposal, leaving its key terms (including a clause about return of county keys) to be drafted and returned to a future agenda.

Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (minutes, business licenses): motion by Commissioner Mike Reese; seconded by Commissioner Diane Path; approved by the board. • Vouchers: motion by Commissioner Mike Reese; seconded by Commissioner Diane Path; approved, with payments for certain White Pine JPO charges held pending clarification. • Lincoln County Safety Plan: approved (unanimous among those present). • Library Director wage: set to $24.74 per hour; motion passed 4–1 (Keith Pearson opposed). • Vertical Bridge settlement agreement: approved; one commissioner absent for the vote. • Mountain View Hotel consultant (Sunrise Engineering): approved. • Lincoln County Airport FAA contractor agreement (Saker & Parsons): approved for $1,074,698; two commissioners absent for that vote. • Interlocal agreement with Clark County for inmate housing: approved for two years with cost increases.

What’s next District Attorney April Bradshaw will return with details on the juvenile probation officer arrangement with White Pine. The Byway Adventures agreement will be brought back with a written contract draft. The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2.