During the May 20 Churchill County Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners discussed lowering residential water dedication requirements, saying current costs and regulations have become barriers to housing development and county growth.
County Manager Chris Spross also announced his resignation during the meeting, effective June 12, 2026.
Commissioners said the county currently requires 1.12 acre-feet of water rights for residential properties, but several years of usage data now support a request to the Nevada State Engineer's Office for a reduction. Consultant Chris Facque said other Nevada communities have adopted lower, usage-based models for single-family and multi-family housing.
Current water dedication requirements, hookup fees, and permitting costs are slowing development and hurting county revenues, commissioners said. According to the agenda report, the current cost of underground water rights is $12,500 per acre-foot. The board approved proceeding with discussions with the State Engineer’s Office regarding possible reductions.
Spross also presented the 2026 Jim Reagan Memorial Scholarship winners: Jillian Morales, who received $2,000; Natalia Martinez De La Cruz, $1,500; Samantha Maffi and Mackenzie Mills, $1,000 each; and Zach Adams, $500.
The board reappointed Bob Getto to another three-year term on the Churchill County TDR Sending Site Review Committee. Spross said Getto has served on the committee since its creation and continues to provide agricultural representation. Myles Getto abstained from voting due to a family relationship.
Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between Churchill County, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation related to the Churchill County Checkerboard Resolution Area Implementation Strategy Plan. Spross said the agreement is part of Section 2908 of the National Defense Authorization Act and establishes how the agencies will cooperate and share information during future checkerboard land exchange discussions.
Churchill County’s annual insurance renewal through POOL/PACT was also approved, with officials reporting nearly a 5% decrease in insurance costs despite increases in payroll and insured property values. Representatives outlined several coverage changes, including higher property and equipment breakdown limits and expanded cyber protections.
Comptroller/Treasurer Linda Rothery also received a “clean sweep” award for the county’s investment earnings management.
The board also approved Churchill County’s final budget and tax rate for fiscal year 2026-27. Comptroller Sherry Wideman said the budget includes an additional $300,000 in CCCOM funds and approximately $1.35 million in salary and benefit increases tied to the county’s compensation study. Total governmental fund expenditures approved in the budget were $67,439,502.
Wideman said the county tax rate will remain at the maximum allowable level at $2.63, while the City of Fallon tax rate is estimated at $3.66. She also noted that the Parks and Recreation Department would have had a negative fund balance without the CCCOM transfer.
The board approved the purchase of a conservation restricted-use easement involving Trevor and Taylor deBraga. The agreement includes approximately 1,212.48 acres, 173.75 acres of water rights, and 277 transferable development rights for a total purchase price of $550,000. After a discussion of the project timeline and ongoing title company delays, commissioners unanimously approved the agreement.
The board also approved annual groundwater basin special assessments for the Carson Desert, Lovelock Valley, Dixie Valley, and Brady Hot Springs basins totaling $20,643.44 for fiscal year 2026-27.
Commissioners approved scoping comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the Great Basin Gas Transmission 2028 Expansion Project. Spross said the comments formally identify Churchill County as an interested party during the federal environmental review process.
The board also approved six additional settlement agreements connected to the National Opioid Settlement litigation.
In future agenda discussions, commissioners requested additional review of potential data center impacts, residential hookup fees, permitting costs, county manager transition plans, the assistant county manager position, and the county’s human resources reporting structure.
Staff reports included updates on Oasis Academy graduation ceremonies, Fallon Youth Club fundraising efforts, economic development and geothermal meetings, and recent community events, including the Fallon Fire Department street dance, where roughly 600 hot dogs and 600 tri-tip sandwiches were served.
Clerk/Treasurer Linda Rothery reported the county saw roughly $200,000 in April investment returns, had recently completed its annual tax sale, and mailed more than 14,000 ballots ahead of early voting and the June 9 election.
Sheriff Orozco also reported the sheriff’s office is preparing traffic control plans for graduation events and continues efforts to fill staffing vacancies.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 4 in the Buckland Room at the 3C Building.
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