Sheriff highlights new hires and a staff member's insurance gap as court approves jail transfer and FEMA task-order amendment

Lyon County’s sheriff on March 12 introduced two new employees and outlined personnel and budget matters as the Fiscal Court approved transfers and a FEMA task‑order amendment.

The sheriff introduced Kim Darnell and Bradley Dunn as new hires and said both are progressing through training. He also reported that a sheriff’s office employee undergoing treatment may lose employer‑provided health insurance; the sheriff said the sheriff’s foundation (a 501(c)(3)) is accepting donations to help cover out‑of‑pocket monthly costs estimated at $1,500–$2,200 through about May 10, 2026.

Separately, the court approved an interfund transfer of $100,000 from the general fund to the jail to maintain operations. The court also approved an amendment to a contractor task order related to the April 16, 2025 storm (the Rostand task order), accepting up to a $5,000 increase within a proposed $20,000 amendment to cover eligible administrative costs for FEMA reimbursement work; staff explained FEMA’s current shutdown is slowing reimbursements.

Staff emphasized that consultant‑assisted reimbursement submissions reduce administrative burden on county staff and typically recover most eligible costs, but that FEMA does not reimburse 100% of all expenses and that a 5% management cost allowance is common in submitted claims. The court voted to proceed with the amendment and to continue working with the contractor to pursue reimbursements for road and bridge repairs.

Staff and the sheriff said they will provide details to the court on the status of claims as FEMA processes returns.