The Sept. 3 Churchill County Board of Commissioners meeting opened with one public comment from Karen Hansen, who asked for information on data‑center development in Churchill County. “Can you, at some time, give us an update on data centers in Churchill County?” she asked. Hansen also suggested an advisory ballot question on future data centers and lithium plants, saying community input is important.
During staff reports, County Manager Joe Sanford briefly responded, noting that the Sept. 9 planning commission meeting would include discussion on industrial development standards related to data centers.
Commissioners unanimously approved $17,000 in funding for the Churchill Animal Protection Society (CAPS). They also approved $3,500 for the Fallon Community Theater to support movie licensing for free or low‑cost films and the annual Maine Street Spooktacular.
The commission rescheduled discussion on a zoning application for Rivian until Sept. 16 because the required public notice was published one day too late to meet Nevada’s 10‑day requirement. The application seeks to rezone a property along the Lovelock Highway from rural resource to heavy industrial use, allowing Rivian to develop a remote battery‑testing facility. According to the application, the current RR20 zoning does not allow for the destructive testing planned for the site, prompting the request for I3 industrial zoning.
Commissioners reviewed the Sand Creek No. 2 Phase 1 final subdivision map, filed by Casey Road LLC. Casey Road resident Teresa Hurleman asked for clarification after receiving a project notice, questioning the project’s location, purpose, and whether it involved road widening. Staff explained the property is currently one parcel and would be divided into approximately one‑acre residential lots. Commissioners approved the final map with recommended conditions.
A parcel map application from JDLN Enterprises LLC for property at 9900 Carson Highway was also unanimously approved. The application divides the 7.48‑acre property into two industrial parcels of 4.15 and 3.33 acres. Planning staff said both parcels meet the two‑acre minimum lot size required for infill development in the I2 zoning district.
Public Lands and Natural Resource Updates
Resource Concepts representative Jeremy Drew updated commissioners on several public lands and natural resource issues, including the Fallon Range Training Complex, wildfire planning, mining, and wild‑horse management. Drew said the next Fallon Range Training Complex meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22 and reported continued work involving Sand Canyon and Red Mountain roads. He also discussed implementation of the BLM’s greater sage‑grouse plan, mining activity, proposed federal grazing‑regulation changes, and concerns involving stock‑water rights. Drew reported that about 700 wild horses were removed from the Lahontan Herd Management Area during a July gather.
Drew also presented a Churchill County comment letter to the Bureau of Land Management on the Greenlink North transmission project. The letter supported changes narrowing and rerouting the utility corridor but raised concerns about greater sage‑grouse exemptions applying to the entire corridor and affecting future land use. The county requested further review of the exemptions and reconsideration of an Interstate 80 route. Commissioners unanimously ratified the letter.
Personnel Actions
Commissioners unanimously approved personnel changes for fiscal year 2026–27, including eight new positions and eight position reclassifications previously approved during the county’s budget process. The effective date was moved from Oct. 1 to Sept. 28 to align with the county’s payroll cycle. An updated fiscal year 2026–27 job titles and range sheet was approved as well, with staff noting that approximately 240 employee action notices and more than 5,000 data points had to be reviewed and updated to ensure payroll accuracy.
The Alternate Public Defender’s Office requested more flexibility in filling an open attorney position. Commissioners authorized recruitment at any of three classifications: Deputy Public Defender I, Deputy Public Defender II, or Senior Deputy Public Defender. The request was unanimously approved.
Deputy District Attorney Wade Carner read proposed amendments to Title 3 of the Churchill County Code concerning overtime and military leave. The changes would allow certain law enforcement employees to work 12‑hour shifts without conflicting with existing overtime policy, align military leave provisions more closely with federal requirements, and provide an option for differential pay. Commissioners unanimously scheduled a public hearing on the proposed amendments for Sept. 16, 2026.
In other business, commissioners approved an employment agreement for County Manager Joe Sanford. Because the county manager position is not included on the county’s new pay table, a separate agreement was needed to establish compensation and other employment terms. The board also appointed Mike Richards to the Churchill County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife for a three‑year term ending July 31, 2029.
Traffic Safety
During public comment, Michelle Anderson asked Churchill County to work with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to evaluate traffic safety on U.S. 50. “We've seen a number of serious accidents along this stretch of highway, including recent fatalities, and I think it's worth taking a closer look at what can be done to make these intersections safer,” she said. Chair Myles Getto explained that the county has raised the issue with NDOT for the past four years, noting that U.S. 50 is a state highway and changes are ultimately up to NDOT.
The next county commission meeting will be held on Sept. 16.
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