Churchill County commissioners appointed Assistant County Manager/Human Resources Director Joe Sanford as interim county manager during their June 4 meeting, while also acknowledging findings from the Nevada Attorney General regarding an open meeting law violation that occurred during the county's 2025 county manager hiring process.
Sanford will begin serving as interim county manager on June 13. Commissioners approved the appointment with no salary change for the first 120 days and discussed separating the assistant county manager and human resources director positions, as well as whether the assistant county manager position remains necessary.
Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the Attorney General's findings of fact and conclusions of law related to the 2025 county manager hiring process and authorized the District Attorney's Office to submit a response.
During public comments, Pam Hucke expressed concerns about data centers, including water use, environmental impacts, and transparency. Former Life Center employee, Lisa Goodell, criticized the county manager hiring process, citing the Attorney General's Open Meeting Law findings.
Sanford also presented an update on implementation of the county compensation study, employee notifications, and step placement based on years in position. He said departments had received employee-specific placement information and that a countywide question-and-answer session would be held to address employee questions and verify position and service-time data. Commissioners unanimously approved the final implementation plan.
Churchill County Clerk-Treasurer Linda Rothery presented Rules of Procedure revisions to the commissioners to improve meeting operations, agenda preparation, and compliance with Nevada Open Meeting Law statutes. The revisions were approved unanimously.
Commissioners appointed David Halloran to the Board of Directors of Fallon Golf Course Inc. through Dec. 31, 2028. They also appointed Brittany Burton, human services specialist with Social Services, as interim public guardian to fill the vacancy created by former Social Services Director Shannon Ernst's resignation.
The board unanimously approved a request from the Churchill County Sheriff's Office a lateral-hire detention deputy with nearly four years of experience. Commissioners also approved Sheriff Lee Orozco's request to present retiring Capt. Chad Sweeney with his duty weapon in recognition of 25 years of service.
Commissioners approved an agreement with the Nevada Department of Transportation to begin engineering and environmental review work for the proposed Moody-Coleman Connector project, which will be funded through a previously awarded $4 million federal grant. They also approved an agreement transferring a portion of Curry Road and Lone Tree Road from the State of Nevada to Churchill County, along with $800,000 for future maintenance.
In other business, commissioners approved the county's annual Indigent Defense Plan submitted by the Churchill County Public Defender’s Office, and Resolution 08-2026, authorizing county officers to dispose of broken county property. Planning department staff also presented a request to rezone six parcels south of Interstate 80 from RR20 (Rural Resource) to I-3 (Heavy Industrial), and the request was approved unanimously.
Commissioners set a June 17 appeal hearing for George Pomeroy of GP Global, LLC, following the Planning Commission's denial of a request for variances from the per-parcel sign area limitation to allow five signs along the railroad right-of-way, establishing a consistent and intentional sign pattern in a designated area.
District Court Clerk Tiffany Josephs presented proposed court for the newly approved child support hearing master program. Commissioners approved budgets totaling $14,341.28 for fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
Commissioners also ratified a $111,387 grant agreement to support outreach services, homeless case management, data collection, and community stabilization efforts.
The next County Commission meeting is scheduled for June 17.
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