Elko Council directs staff to prepare quitclaim deed for Girl Scout House amid efforts to preserve local programming

The Elko City Council on Oct. 14 directed staff to prepare a quitclaim deed to convey two parcels commonly known as the Elko Girl Scout House (APNs 001‑250‑002 and 001‑250‑003) from the Girl Scouts of Sierra Nevada (GSSN) back to the City of Elko.

The action followed staff and legal presentations explaining that the deed conveying the property in 2014 included a reversionary clause and that GSSN’s stated plan to lease the building to a third party could trigger automatic reversion under the statute cited in staff materials. Tim (staff) told the council the quickest administrative solution would be a quitclaim conveying whatever title GSSN holds back to the city so the city can manage the property and avoid the automatic reversion process.

Why it matters: GSSN CEO Anne Nelson told the council her organization has run operating deficits since the pandemic and lost roughly $500,000 in cookie revenue last year, putting pressure on local assets. Nelson said the council has long been a partner and that the council’s decision should aim to preserve Scout programming locally. She said the council’s intent is to "rebuild the program in Elko" but conceded the council is not currently in a position to fund major repairs immediately.

Local voices pressed the council to keep the house available for Girl Scout activities. Jessica Rockley, who identified herself at the meeting as a local leader, said the region’s troops use the facility and urged the city to help the organization remain in the building if possible. Multiple council members said they preferred the city conveyance and then consider leasing the property back to the Girl Scouts or making other arrangements that would keep local programming operating.

Council discussion and vote: Council members noted the building’s long history in Elko and expressed support for preserving local access. Councilman (speaker 2) moved the direction to prepare the quitclaim deed; the motion was seconded and passed with unanimous "aye" votes.

Details and next steps: Staff will prepare the quitclaim deed reflecting the change from GSSN to the City of Elko. Council members said the city could later consider separate agenda action to lease the property back to the Girl Scouts or make other arrangements for community groups, and that any such plans would be addressed at a future meeting. Anne Nelson said her board will meet the following week to consider next steps.

Authorities and legal references cited during the discussion included the deed’s reversionary clause recorded under the 2014 resolution and NRS 268.055 as referenced in staff remarks. The council did not adopt a final conveyance ordinance at the Oct. 14 meeting; it directed staff to prepare the quitclaim deed for a future agenda.