Lyon County hires Laura Sievers as county engineer, approves one‑year contract

The Lyon County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a one‑year employment contract with Laura Sievers to serve as Lyon County Engineer, the board said at its Jan. 2 meeting.

Sievers will begin Jan. 22, 2013, at a $90,000 annual salary. Her contract provides standard county benefits and vacation and includes two discretionary 1.5 percent increases tied to job reviews after three and six months; the board said those increases are at its discretion following performance reviews.

At the meeting, Sievers raised concerns about a six‑month contract clause that required moving to Lyon County; she told supervisors she had started the process of selling her house but asked for flexibility on the timing. The board and attorney agreed the contract language was intended to protect the county if a hire made no effort to relocate; supervisors amended the contract from two years to one year per Sievers’ request, then voted to approve and sign it.

Supervisor Kyle Peters made the motion to approve and sign the contract; Supervisor Steve Michael seconded. Chairman Randy Bosch and the other board members voted to carry the motion “All ‘Aye’,” according to meeting minutes.

Sievers remained in the courthouse after the meeting to meet staff and then joined secondary roads personnel for further orientation. The board asked Sievers and the engineer’s office to compile information on key road and bridge projects ahead of upcoming budget and capital planning work.

What happens next: Sievers will begin her duties in late January and will work with the board and road crews on immediate maintenance needs, equipment priorities and a schedule of longer‑term bridge projects. The board directed staff to share the contract and appointment with county departments for budget planning.

Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 006; discussion and signature SEG 006.