At a meeting held June 12, commissioners Matt Hyde and Myles Getto voted to hire, while Commissioner Eric Blakey voted against it. Spross will start his new position on July 7, leaving his current position as Assistant County Manager.
The proposed contract will move Spross to Grade 96, Step 3, with a base salary of $175,094.40. He is eligible for annual merit increases of 5%, limited to the maximum of Step 13, which he could reach in five years. He will continue to receive a $7,200 annual vehicle stipend for using his personal vehicle and will not be assigned a county-owned one. Retiring County Manager Jim Barbee will return his county vehicle to the fleet.
Commission and Vice-Chair Eric Blakey took issue with Spross starting at Step 3 and receiving 5% annual increases, whereas standard county policy states that internal promotions are placed at Step 1 in the pay grade with a 2.5% increase.
Blakey said they were setting a precedent for the future by starting Spross higher than Step 1 and that it goes against the policy for all employees. He also did not support the vehicle stipend of $7,200, as a county vehicle was already assigned to that office.
Blakey voted against the contract because the negotiated terms differed from the policies outlined in Title 3, the county's employment and personnel policies document. He felt the deviations would be seen as unfair by other employees.
Chief Civil Deputy District Attorney Joe Sanford said Spross initially wanted to start at Step 6, so starting him at Step 3 was a compromise. He also explained that employees with school-aged children often opt to use their own transportation because county policy prohibits children from riding in county vehicles.
Blakey made a motion to hire Spross at Grade 96 Step 1, but it did not receive a second. In further discussion, Blakey made it clear that his issues with the contract were based on policy deviations and not personal animosity against Spross.
Following the final vote in Spross' favor, he and Sanford met during a recess. Spross returned and accepted the final terms of a modified contract. He will begin his new position on July 7.
Outgoing County Manager Jim Barbee, who joined the county in 2018, was at the highest step on the pay grade scale, earning $224,102.
Spross's Plans for the County
Spross plans to continue moving the county forward on several projects currently underway. During County Manager interviews, Spross told commissioners that his first goals include making progress on two lands bills that can benefit residents. The National Defense Authorization Act and its withdrawal of public lands will affect grazing permit holders near the B-16 bombing range and includes the realignment of Lone Tree and Sand Canyon roads south of Fallon. He described how painstakingly slow and disjointed process the project has been due to federal partners.
Spross said during the next year, the Lone Tree Road portion of the project will be in the design phase, followed by construction. He anticipates Sand Canyon Road will be under construction within the next two years.
The second lands act he plans to focus on is the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, where Spross secured $42 million for projects planned in Churchill County. The plans include improvements to the fairgrounds property and the North Maine Street ballparks. The county has already used SNPLMA funds to purchase six acres of property adjacent to the ballpark.
A major infrastructure project spearheaded by Spross includes collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency to secure grants for water tanks. One project, still in its early stages, was awarded $3 million in grant funds to secure a reclaimed tank. Spross reported that the project is in the process of passing the necessary environmental clearances.
Regarding the secondary water treatment plant, Spross stated that the drilling of the first well is complete, and the second is currently under construction. The plant is in design, with the demolition of the abandoned sewer treatment plant at the golf course complete. The site has been leveled and prepared for the construction. Spross also noted that all work must be completed by the end of 2026 to meet the deadline for spending the grant funds.
Spross said his work has already introduced him to some partners across the state, and he helped support State Assemblyman Greg Koenig during the 2025 Nevada Legislative Session.
"Early this year, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC. I was able to meet with our state congressional representatives, Sen. Rosen, Sen. Cortez-Masto and Congressman Amodei, and discuss the challenges that the county is facing with respect to the Fallon Range Training Complex expansion. This also afforded me the opportunity to thank them for their support in their role in making Churchill County eligible for Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act funding for recreational projects," Spross said.
Looking to the future, he said that any growth in Churchill County needs to be managed responsibly, ensuring we have sufficient infrastructure in place. He wants to "become known as a user-friendly county" by streamlining the permitting process from start to finish.
"I envision a future where rural character, economic vitality and community well-being go hand in hand. We should be committed to expanding housing opportunities that reflect the needs of our growing and diverse population – from young families to aging residents. This can be attained through well-planned housing options that preserve open space, respect our agricultural heritage, and strengthen the fabric of our community."
Spross and his family have lived in Churchill County for five years, but he has been familiar with the Fallon area for over 20 years, having worked with A&K Earth Movers from 2002 to 2014.
"We enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities that the area offers such as hunting, fishing in Lahontan Reservoir and spending time in the side by side out in the desert," Spross said.
"We've had family and friends in this area for over 20 years and it's always great to spend time with them. Churchill County is a fantastic place to raise a family."
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