Commissioners authorize up to $300,000 additional county match for Bell Vista project

The Nye County Regional Transportation Commission authorized up to $300,000 in additional county matching funds for the Bell Vista and Bob Rood widening and repaving project after staff told the board the cost estimate rose to $40,900,000.

Tom Bowling told commissioners that the project estimate increased by about $4 million from earlier figures and that the county previously provided the required 5% match on the earlier, lower estimate. "We will be required to give them the balance of whatever the 5% comes out to be whenever they get an actual bid for the project," Bowling said. He added that staff will only obligate funds up to a fixed ceiling and would return to the board if the final numbers exceed that ceiling.

Commissioner Koenig moved to authorize an additional match of up to $300,000; Commissioner Carboni seconded the motion with reservations. Chair Bowne called the vote; the motion passed on a 3-0 voice vote. Commissioners said they supported the project given its regional significance for commercial traffic to California, but several asked staff to report final bid numbers before obligating funds beyond the approved amount.

The board's action is procedural authorization to cover up to $300,000 of the county's share when final bids are available; Bowling said the precise county payment will be calculated once bids are received and that staff would return to the board if the required additional match exceeds the approved amount.