County Commission Compensation Study and FRTC Expansion Advance

The Churchill County Commission approved a series of staffing, infrastructure, water, and administrative actions during its Dec.17, 2025, meeting, including authorizing expanded recruitment for the District Attorney’s Office and moving forward with a countywide personnel compensation study.

The Bureau of Land Management provided commissioners with updates on several major projects and priorities, including environmental review work tied to the Navy’s Sand Canyon Road realignment, prescribed grazing efforts to reduce cheatgrass fire risk, renewal of vacant and defense-related grazing allotments, and anticipated issuance of a record of decision for the sage-grouse amendment, which affects large areas of Churchill County.

Planning is also underway for spring wild horse and burro census flights, with the Desatoya herd selected for updated data collection. At the same time, progress continues on land exchange agreements under the county’s checkerboard resolution strategy. The bureau also reported ongoing work related to mineral exploration and energy infrastructure, including geotechnical approvals for the Greenlink North transmission line project. For the full BLM update, visit thefallonpost.org.

Commissioners approved a request allowing the District Attorney’s Office to recruit for vacant positions at the District Attorney I, District Attorney II, and Senior Deputy District Attorney levels. County Manager Joe Sanford told commissioners the office is currently short-staffed, noting it lost another attorney last week. The board had previously authorized recruitment at higher seniority levels on a case-by-case basis due to ongoing challenges in filling prosecutor positions.

Commissioners also approved parameters to proceed with a personnel compensation study conducted by Baker Tilly. Consulting Manager Sarah Towne said the study is currently in the market assessment phase, aiming to identify peer jurisdictions that best reflect Churchill County’s labor market.

Towne recommended a mix of counties and cities based on population, services provided, and employee movement patterns. After discussion, commissioners reached consensus to include Carson City, Lyon, Douglas, Storey, Elko, Nye, Pershing, Humboldt, Washoe counties, and the City of Fallon, with Fernley identified as a backup if city data cannot be obtained.

“I often liken the best peer organizations as understanding movement of employees within the market space, who you’re losing talent to and who you’re gaining them from,” Towne said.

Commissioners expressed concern about including Washoe County due to differences in size and cost of living, but Towne said all data will be adjusted for geographic labor cost differences. “We’re adjusting the data by those geographic differences anyway as part of our project,” she said.

The board voted to proceed with the study as discussed.

Commissioners also approved a contract with Loomis & Associates in the amount of $1,317,180 for engineering services related to the Lone Tree Road reconstruction project. Public Works Director Randy Hines said the project involves reconstructing approximately 3.1 miles of Lone Tree Road from Highway 95 to Solias Road as part of requirements tied to the 2022 lands bill and the Fallon Range Training Complex expansion.

The project will be federally funded, with reimbursement flowing from the Navy through the Federal Highway Administration and the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Commissioners approved the sale of approximately 20.32 acre feet per annum of underground water rights in Hydrographic Basin 101 to Idaho Asphalt Company Incorporated and Idaho Supply Western Emulsions for $228,250. Sanford said the company, which plans to construct an asphalt emulsion plant near Bango Road, made extensive efforts to acquire water on the open market before approaching the county.

The usable portion of the water right totals 18.26 acre-feet due to partial curtailment of one right, priced at $12,500 per acre-foot following an appraisal.

The board also approved a $27,847 agreement between the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and Churchill County Social Services to deliver community services through Community Services Block Grant funding. Social Services Director Shannon Ernst said the county is currently receiving funding in short increments due to federal budget issues.

“We were notified yesterday that we would be awarded another two and a half months starting Jan. 1,” Ernst said. The funding supports staff, outreach, and case management.

Commissioners approved the purchase of $87,414 in security and video equipment for the New Pass House and Day Center, also overseen by Social Services. Ernst said the equipment was purchased directly by the county to secure cost savings, with installation already included in the construction contract. The purchase is funded through the Home Means Nevada initiative grant.

During department updates, commissioners heard reminders that property tax third installments are due Jan. 5, judicial candidate filing runs Jan. 5 through Jan. 16, and more than 1,000 delinquent tax notices are being mailed. Election officials also noted challenges securing alternate locations for early voting when the commission chambers are unavailable.

Commissioners approved an acknowledgment requested by the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest, confirming that Churchill County has no ownership interest in certain parcels affected by the NAS Fallon Range Training Complex expansion. The acknowledgment clears a title issue tied to a lease dating back to 1947 and allows the project to move forward without court action.

Churchill County Sheriff Richard Hickox updated commissioners, stating that the Sheriff’s Office recently attended a Nevada Detention Administrators Working Group meeting that addressed forthcoming federal jail requirements and associated costs. He also reported having budget meetings, working on upcoming grants, and a recent electrical outage. “We had our power out for a couple of days, and so we're back and working. We have heat.”

The meeting concluded with public comments and holiday well wishes before the commission adjourned.