Churchill County Board of County Commissioners met Nov. 19 for their regularly scheduled meeting, considering and approving multiple items, including the 2025 Geothermal Lease Sale, agreements with Nevada Health and Human Services, and the Senior Volunteer Program.
Upcoming meetings on the Sand Canyon Road realignment and the checkerboard land resolution will be rescheduled. Two Churchill parcels were sold at the 2025 Geothermal Lease Sale at $6 and $8 per acre, with the county set to receive 25% of that revenue.
Commissioners approved a $125,000 agreement with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to support a statewide child abuse prevention campaign. The funding is part of a partnership with the Division of Child and Family Services, which will allow Churchill County Social Services to participate in an intensive marketing effort to raise public awareness about child abuse and connect families with local resources. The campaign will be carried out through the state’s contracted marketing firm, KPS3, with the county serving as a local partner in delivering unified prevention messaging.
Another agreement was approved with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to continue $119,601 in funding for Churchill County’s Homemaker Program, which provides in-home support to seniors and residents who can no longer maintain their homes on their own. The county will also seek a contractor in the spring to resume yard-cleanup services, which have not been available over the past year.
Commissioners received and approved a report on the county’s Medicaid Mapping Project, a year-long analysis conducted by the Corporation for Supportive Housing to determine whether the county could become a Medicaid-billable entity. Consultant Brooke Page outlined how the study focused on juvenile justice case management and non-emergency medical transportation, estimating that Medicaid reimbursements could generate significant new revenue after initial startup costs. With major statewide Medicaid changes underway, Social Services recommended waiting about 90 days before advancing any next steps. The board agreed to bring the item back for further review.
Commissioners approved a $20,000 agreement between Churchill County Social Services and Silver Summit Health Plan to expand Medicaid education for rural residents. As managed care rolls out statewide in January, the partnership will help local Medicaid recipients understand their plan options and benefits.
A request from the Lahontan Valley Bird Dog Club was approved, increasing water usage from 150 acre-feet to 200 acre-feet of county-owned water for its new training grounds in Stillwater, with the club responsible for all transfer and consulting fees. The board also authorized pursuing a permanent transfer of the water’s place of use to streamline future approvals.
Commissioners approved a $9,921 contract with PAC States to rewire the Recorder’s Office after ongoing connectivity problems slowed internet and phone service. The project will replace outdated cabling with new CAT6 wiring and upgraded ports to restore reliable service.
The board approved funding in the amount of $10,000 for the Fallon Youth Club for fiscal year 2026. Shannon Goodrick updated the board on the activities and learning that the Fallon Youth Club provides. Afterwards, Chairman Eric Blakey commented, “I’d like to thank you for your dedication to this community and your organization’s dedication to this community.”
Commissioners approved updated guidelines for the county’s long-running Senior Volunteer Program, raising the quarterly mileage reimbursement cap from $50 to $75 and aligning mileage rates with the county’s standard reimbursement rate. Social Services Director Shannon Ernst noted that the update makes the program more meaningful for volunteers who rely on modest reimbursement as support for their service.
Commissioners approved a bid to begin renovations on the planned homeless day use facility and emergency housing projects, while tabling a decision to increase the salary and benefits cap to a maximum of $592,000 for the Central Nevada Health District administrator/physician position that remains unfilled after ongoing recruitment efforts until more information is available. Further information on these agenda items is available in this edition as accompanying articles and online at thefallonpost.org.
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