[0:01] Just wait to hear. We're recording.

[0:09] » You're good, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, sir.

[0:12] » Mr. Chairman, you ready to rock and roll?

[0:14] » Yeah, really is. >> Commissioner Gilman, you good to go?

[0:20] [clears throat] >> All right, Austin.

[0:22] » Yeah. >> Brian, do you have any audio issues or

[0:25] are you good? >> I have no audio issues. Just issues

[0:30] today so I can hear and see and and we're able to proceed.

[0:34] » All right. Thank you. Good [snorts] morning everyone.

[0:38] Today is September 1st somehow 2026. We have a quorum present. Commissioner

[0:44] Gilman's on Zoom today and uh we're going to go and call this meeting to

[0:47] order. It is 10:05 a.m. Sorry for the late start. On to item number two on

[0:52] today's agenda is to convene as a story county board of county commissioners

[0:55] bringing us item number three which is the pledge of allegiance. If you can all

[0:58] stand and join me.

[1:02] » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[1:07] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:13] justice for all.

[1:20] On to item number four on today's agenda is public comment. Public comment is

[1:26] welcomed at the beginning and end of each meeting. These comments should be

[1:28] limited to matters not on today's calendar agenda. Uh public comment is

[1:32] again welcomed after each item on the agenda and those comments should be

[1:36] limited to the agenda's topic. As a reminder, public comment is limited to

[1:39] three minutes per individual. With that said, is there any public comment in the

[1:42] courtroom today?

[1:49] » Good morning. Sarah starts for the record. Um Tim Kiniorski. Perfect. Uh at

[1:55] the county's request has come in to get come in to give an update on the

[1:58] lighting the V project that was awarded with our community project funding in

[2:02] fiscal year 2425. And as this is at the county's request, I also request that

[2:07] the commission to please use their discretion as allowed if Tim goes over

[2:10] on his allotted time. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[2:18] » Good morning everyone. My name is Tim Kjorski and I have been uh working on

[2:23] the project uh to light the V uh light the V back up from from where it was uh

[2:30] years ago. I don't even know when it was it was actually last uh illuminated, but

[2:34] I want to give you a status update on uh what is going on up there. In July, we

[2:40] had a team of eight individuals and myself go up to the top of the hill and

[2:46] we were able to get the new lights spread out. Uh we're also stringing new

[2:52] uh cable electrical basically flexible conduit up there. What was up there

[2:57] before was extension cords and they had weathered uh very poorly. they're

[3:01] actually quite the fire risk and quite honestly being in the the power industry

[3:07] myself uh I am very concerned about the issues surrounding uh power and

[3:12] possibility of wildfire and stuff like that. So the work that we're doing up

[3:16] there to to get new electricity spread out up there um is such that it won't

[3:23] start a fire. The flexible conduit should be able to contain the wiring and

[3:27] keep it uh from the sun and keep it from degrading. Excuse [clears throat] me.

[3:32] So, as the status is right now, the perimeter lights around the edge of the

[3:37] V all the way around about 420 ft of uh lighting has been installed. It is

[3:43] suspended above the the ground level by about a foot. So, we should be able to

[3:47] see that light uh once the uh once power is restored up there uh whether there's

[3:53] snow or not. A second round of uh work that is going to occur and and it's

[3:59] pretty much the heavier push is a a bunch of uh fill lighting that's going

[4:04] to be suspended about 4t above the ground directly over the center of the V

[4:10] where it comes down and around and that will be basically fill lighting

[4:15] over the top of that where I'm at right now. We did get that perimeter lighting

[4:20] installed as I had said and uh that is ready to go. What issue I discovered

[4:27] after all of that and and totally anticipated having the lights lit up by

[4:30] now. Uh but uh even though I was doing a lot of uh testing of the main cable that

[4:36] runs from the service transformer down up Spanish ravine road 1,200 ft up to

[4:41] the base of the V u I tested that cable with inferial method methods. In other

[4:47] words, I was not testing the cable energized because I didn't want to

[4:50] energize it until I had a good feeling that that the cable was actually good. I

[4:56] I have repaired a couple of brakes on it already. [clears throat]

[5:00] Um, but when we went to power the lights on that next weekend, there was no power

[5:06] at the top at all. And so I had to go back down measured all of the voltages

[5:11] actually at the base of the pole. Everything is good down there. And so

[5:15] what I'm finding right now is that somewhere along that 1,200 ft run of of

[5:20] wire, there is at least one or more breaks uh in the wire. So I still have

[5:26] to find those. Once I find them, uh I can repair them and then I will be able

[5:31] to get uh the power actually turned on up at the top and safely. So and safety

[5:37] is really my biggest con concern about about doing this. don't

[5:43] don't want to have any issues going up that hill.

[5:46] » All right. Thank you. Do you have a time frame on when this will be complete? You

[5:49] think? >> I don't have a time frame. I I would

[5:52] have thought that the first half of it would have been complete and we would

[5:55] have been starting the second half already. Um it it's quite the physical

[5:58] challenge to get up to the to the top of the hill. I mean, not just for me. I'm

[6:02] I'm 61 years old. I'm somewhat fit. I'm not an athlete. And so it takes me a

[6:08] good hour and 15 to 20 minutes just to get up to the the base of the V. My

[6:13] anticipation is I would like to have this completely done before any kind of

[6:18] winter weather sets in. I'd like to have this done sometime in the November time

[6:23] frame. Uh issues for me. I am uh working on this predominantly by

[6:30] myself. There isn't a lot of people who can can do this in town unless we have,

[6:34] you know, electricians who are willing to help. Um, I haven't reached out for

[6:38] anything like that, but my goal would be now sometime in the November time frame

[6:44] before the winters get there, we can get up to the hill, get the second batch of

[6:48] lighting installed. F first row of lighting is is once that first row that

[6:53] that outline is on, then we're we're in the golden zone. the the second batch of

[6:59] of lighting is going to be physically challenging to carry all of the the tea

[7:04] stakes, tea stake pounder, couple of boxes of of the additional lights and

[7:08] and some other parts and pieces up to the top of the hill. Uh for that

[7:13] particular effort, I'll be doing another community call to get uh volunteers to

[7:17] head back up the hill. Um, and we will be pounding in I I think we have in the

[7:23] neighborhood of of 20 plus tea stakes that have to be pounded somehow in into

[7:28] that rocky surface area. So, it's going to be a challenge to get it up there,

[7:32] but once it's done, I think it's going to look really good. And and my vision

[7:37] for it is one day when I'm coming back from a business meeting on a night

[7:40] flight and I'm coming into Reno to land, I want to see that V from, you know, 50

[7:46] miles away lit up in all its glory. >> Sounds good. Thank you. Um, this is a

[7:52] little out of context, but do you have any questions for him?

[7:54] » No, I don't. Do Commissioner, do you want to let him borrow your helicopter

[7:57] for that move when >> Still waiting for delivery?

[8:00] » Okay. >> That shows up, you can have access.

[8:02] » Thank you, sir. >> Thanks a lot. Appreciate you coming in.

[8:05] Is there any other public comment today? All right. Uh, let's move right along to

[8:11] item number five, discussion for possible action, consideration and

[8:14] possible approval of the agenda for the September 1st, 2026 meeting. County

[8:18] manager, are there any changes to the agenda today?

[8:20] » Uh, we have two we're going to recommend. And one is that we continue

[8:24] uh consent item 73 to the 9:15 meeting. That is a stipen

[8:31] policy. So it's step seven Roman numeral three to the 9:15 meeting. And the

[8:36] second one is that number 26 which is our BDR that we move it up to follow

[8:41] number 15. >> Okay,

[8:43] » that's it. >> Uh sorry, what was the BDR last one?

[8:46] » Number 26. Yeah, to have it follow number 15. I think it'll land right

[8:50] before the highway board. >> All right.

[8:54] » Okay. Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments?

[8:59] » No, thank you. >> Vice Chairman Uh, no. I'm fine with

[9:02] those changes. >> Okay. Uh, is there any public comment

[9:05] regarding the agenda today? Not seeing any. Vice chairman, you

[9:10] prepare to make a motion? >> Yeah. I move to approve today's agenda

[9:13] with the noted changes. >> Second.

[9:16] » All right. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by

[9:19] saying I. >> I.

[9:21] » I. >> I.

[9:23] » Motion passes unanimously. >> Moving right along to item number six,

[9:28] which is discussion for possible action. consideration and possible approval of

[9:32] the minutes from the July 21st, 2026 meeting. Uh, Commissioner Gilman, do you

[9:37] have any questions or comments on those minutes?

[9:40] » No. >> Vice Chairman?

[9:42] » No. Thanks. >> How about public comment?

[9:46] » Not seeing any. Vice Chairman, you prepare to make a motion?

[9:48] » Yeah. I move to approve the minutes from our July 21st, 2026 meeting as

[9:52] presented. >> Second.

[9:55] » All right. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by

[9:58] saying I. I. >> I. Hi.

[10:01] » Motion passes unanimously. On to item number seven is today's consent agenda.

[10:06] Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments about the consent

[10:08] agenda? >> None. Thank you.

[10:11] » Vice Chairman? >> Uh, no. Thanks.

[10:13] » How about public comment on the consent agenda?

[10:18] » Not seeing any. Vice Chairman, you prepared to make a motion?

[10:20] » I am. I move to approve today's consent agenda as presented. And just for

[10:24] clarity on the record, we continue to item 73 to a future meeting.

[10:31] Second. >> All right, there's a motion and a

[10:32] second. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[10:35] » I. >> I.

[10:37] » Motion passes unanimously. On to item number eight. This is

[10:42] discussion for possible action consideration and possible approval of

[10:44] resolution number 26-838 recognizing and commending a Story

[10:49] County employee who served 15 years of service to the county.

[11:04] Good morning, commissioners. >> Morning,

[11:08] » Brandy Lopez. For the record, this recognition is especially meaningful as

[11:11] we honor an employee who has reached an outstanding milestone in 15 years of

[11:15] dedicated service to Story County. 15 years of public service is a remarkable

[11:20] accomplishment and reflects his sustained commitment to serving our

[11:23] community [snorts] with professionalism, integrity, and dedication. Over the

[11:27] years, this employee has made lasting contributions to the county through his

[11:31] hard work, experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. I would like

[11:35] to express our sincere appreciation for 15 years of faithful service, and the

[11:40] positive impact you have made on our colleagues, our organization, and the

[11:44] citizens we serve. It's my honor to present this resolution of appreciation

[11:49] recognizing Tim Shotchshire for 15 years of dedicated service to Story County.

[11:54] Congratulations and thank you for your continued commitment to public service.

[11:59] » Thank you, Tim. Is he getting a >> All right. Uh, Commissioner Gilman, do

[12:05] you have any questions or comments? >> Thank you for your service to the

[12:09] county, >> Vice Chairman.

[12:12] » Yeah, I was saying thank you. Yeah, to sound like an echo chamber in here.

[12:16] Thank you very much. Um, you know, uh, it's it's amazing to see folks stick

[12:23] around that long with Story County. I think that speaks to the the culture

[12:26] that we have here. I hope. Um, but appreciate you and and everybody else

[12:30] that's put in their time. So, thank you. Um, is there any public comment today?

[12:38] All right. Not seeing any public comment. Brandy, do you want to read the

[12:41] resolution? Did you?

[12:46] » I never do. >> You never do.

[12:50] » Okay. Yeah. Vice Chairman, you want to read it?

[12:52] » Yeah. A resolution honoring 15 years of service to Story County. Whereas the

[12:56] aforementioned member of the Story County team has provided 15 years of

[12:59] service to the community of Story County. Whereas the aforementioned is

[13:03] dedicated to his job and duties to the community of Story County. And whereas

[13:06] the aforementioned is gracious and giving of his time and expertise.

[13:10] Therefore, let it be known to all that the board of county commissioners of

[13:13] Story County do hereby commend and honor the aforementioned member of the Story

[13:17] County team for dedication and service to the people of Story County, Nevada,

[13:21] this first day of September, 2026. And that's for Mr. Timothy Shropshire.

[13:26] » Fantastic. Do you want to do the motion now?

[13:29] » Sure. Um I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to approve resolution number 26-838

[13:34] recognizing and commending a Story County employee who has served 15 years

[13:37] of service to the county. Second.

[13:42] » There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[13:45] » I. >> I.

[13:48] » Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. TIM, [applause]

[13:56] » you going to come on up?

[14:09] Sorry, it feels like this is the first time.

[14:22] » You can just >> You can take a picture up here if you

[14:25] want.

[14:33] You're good.

[14:42] » Thank you. [applause]

[14:52] » All right. Um, moving right along to item number

[14:55] nine. this discussion only. No action, no public comment will be taken. These

[14:59] are committee and staff reports. And as we always do, we'll kick things off at

[15:02] the sheriff's office today.

[15:16] » Good morning, Lieutenant Brook for the record. Uh quick update. Uh, Sheriff

[15:20] Colona is currently attending a traffic meeting with Sheriff Balum of Wash

[15:25] County, Chief Crawford of Sparks Police regarding the traffic issues on IED, uh,

[15:30] which is why he is not here today. A quick update on posted the stats from

[15:36] August on our social media today. Um, it surpassed our June stats as our highest

[15:41] arrest we've ever had in a month at 82. We had 45 misdemeanor arrests, 37 felony

[15:47] arrests, 957 calls for service, 963 traffic stops with 311 citations. So

[15:55] very busy. And then just a quick note, um, Burning Man is going on and we have

[16:01] had a lot of drug arrests related to that coming through the TRRI area. In

[16:05] the last three days alone, we've had nine just the drug related arrests come

[16:09] out of TRRI. uh most of them being related to methamphetamine and fentanyl.

[16:15] So very busy week for us. Um and that's all I have for you today.

[16:20] » Thank you for the update. >> Thank you.

[16:22] » Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments?

[16:27] » Keep up the great work. Thank you. >> Thank you,

[16:30] » Vice Chairman. Yeah, I appreciate that. And um have something going on tonight,

[16:34] don't we? >> Yeah, there is sheriff's night out

[16:36] tonight 5 to 8:00 p.m. Miners Park. So hopefully you guys are all there.

[16:41] » Absolutely. Good. >> It'll be a little cold, so bring a

[16:43] jacket. >> All right. Thank you again for the

[16:45] update. >> You're welcome.

[16:46] » All right. Uh moving right along to the fire protection district.

[16:52] » Thank you, Chief. Public works. >> All right.

[17:01] I only see one project manager in today. Kevin, you have anything for us?

[17:05] » I have a short one for you all. >> All right.

[17:16] Kevin Salstrom for the record. Uh Travis Osterhout, our newest project manager,

[17:21] was going to join us this morning. He got called away at the last minute to

[17:24] take some tours with our emergency management folks. So, I'll start with

[17:27] his, which is basically just a list of things he's working on in case there's

[17:30] any questions. Uh he's been doing quite a bit of work with Kathy on the TRRI

[17:36] Center drainage study. I've been working with them on Mark Twain's drainage

[17:42] master plan as well as Gold Hill drainage master plan and Virginia City

[17:46] drainage master plans trying to help coordinate and keep those wheels

[17:48] greased. Uh he's also been working on the Long Valley Creek flood master flood

[17:53] hazard mitigation plan which of course was put together by Jub about two years

[17:58] ago and after recent events they've done some re-evaluation and he's been trying

[18:02] to help coordinate with her how to make things go smoothly with the new shape of

[18:06] things out there. He's also been working with Dowel on our Silver City water

[18:10] line, our siphon lines. Those are kind of moving slowly through the really

[18:14] slowly through the permitting processes. Uh and the more pressing one is the Gold

[18:18] Hill sewer collection system that is much further along, but still kind of

[18:22] trying to move through those various permits. We're hoping to get those to

[18:25] bid this winter and be able to start next spring after whatever the uh spring

[18:30] weather or winter weather brings us, but that one's still in process.

[18:35] As far as my own reports, we are still working on the tri sub sheriff

[18:38] substation and we actually have a meeting this afternoon with sheriff's

[18:41] department to go through a third revision of plans for that. We're still

[18:45] planning to get that bid this winter and get that built out uh for occupancy next

[18:49] summer. Pipers, uh by the time you guys get out of here, hopefully you'll see

[18:53] new sets of windows in there. They're working on them right now, replacing

[18:57] those and get the last few of them done over the next few weeks and hoping to

[19:01] have that whole window and door replacement project done uh by the end

[19:04] of September if uh mother nature cooperates. And that of course is the

[19:08] southside and east side doors or southside windows and all of the

[19:13] front-facing doors. We have another project that Sarah's been working on

[19:17] that will hopefully fund more of those in the spring, but we're still working

[19:21] through that with the shipo. And of course, the last part, the the big

[19:25] elephant in here is the justice center. We do have a contract that we are

[19:28] working through. Uh trying to get our last few bits of staff review done and

[19:32] hopefully have it to you guys beginning of October. If all goes well, we can get

[19:36] that kicked off. They are um Hayer AE architectural engineering is anxious to

[19:41] get started and looking to be here a few days after we sign the contract. So,

[19:45] we're good to go. >> All right. Thank you for that update.

[19:48] Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments?

[19:52] » No. >> All right. Vice Chairman,

[19:54] » no. Appreciate the update. Thank you. >> All right. Appreciate it. Thank you.

[19:59] » Uh, how about business development?

[20:11] » Good morning, Laura Mather for the record. So, I wanted to give an update

[20:15] today on my zip code endeavors. Um,

[20:19] recently staff from Senator Cortez Masto's office in Washington DC met with

[20:24] the United States Postal Service in Washington DC on our behalf, gave them

[20:28] an a summary of what Story County is looking for, what our goal is through

[20:32] this process. Um, and then they came back and gave me some further direction

[20:37] on how to proceed. So, the United States Postal Service has a a format in which

[20:44] they request um submissions to to be in. So, I basically took my two-page report

[20:51] that I wrote a couple months ago for Congressman Amday's office and I turned

[20:55] it into a 10-page report. So, [laughter] I have the report. It's ready to go. Um

[21:02] with the approval of this board, I've reached out to the surrounding counties

[21:05] and cities for letters of of support. I've caught a great response. Wo county

[21:11] sparks, the city of Fernley, um, Lion County, they've all immediately

[21:16] responded and provided letters of support. So, as I gather additional

[21:20] letters, I will then submit all of that to Senator Cortez Masto's office um, for

[21:26] them to then formally submit that request for us. And again, that's to

[21:30] expand our zip codes so that we get surrounding county zip codes out of

[21:34] Story County. Um, recently somebody asked me what my

[21:40] goal is when county staff goes to Washington DC. My response to them was

[21:46] my goal when I go there is that they know who we are, what we do, and why we

[21:51] are important. And I think over the past five years that we've been going, we

[21:57] have accomplished that because we now have a senator's key staff person in

[22:04] Washington DC go to the United States Postal Service for us there on our

[22:09] behalf. And I think that really shows the amazing relationship that we've been

[22:13] able to develop with both of the senators and the congressmen. And we

[22:17] will continue to work on that. And that's the end of my report.

[22:20] » All right. Thank you for that report, Laura.

[22:23] Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments?

[22:27] » None. >> Vice Chairman,

[22:28] » no. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you again.

[22:31] » Uh, how about our grants manager? >> Okay. Uh, admin officer.

[22:39] Emergency management.

[22:53] » Morning. Adam Wilson, director of emergency management. For the record,

[22:56] I'll try and be quick because we also have an agenda item later. Uh, as Kevin

[23:00] alluded to, we have some staff with emergency management right now. We have

[23:05] FEMA's earthquake survey team in town from they're from all across the

[23:10] country. They're going to be evaluating 10 facilities in Virginia City that are

[23:14] critical infrastructure schools and buildings for government use for

[23:19] earthquake mitigation and then we'll get that final report from them in a few

[23:23] months once it goes through the engineering and FEMA review. So, we're

[23:27] very excited to get that done. Uh, in regards to earthquakes, our exercise

[23:32] plan is complete as of yesterday for the Virginia City Goldill exercise. Again,

[23:37] that is a no notice one. So, that's about all the information we're going to

[23:40] give out until the emergency alert comes out. It will be in October. Uh, and

[23:46] that's going to be a full-scale exercise where we actually evacuate residents and

[23:50] have county staff participate in an exercise for earthquakes. Our evacuation

[23:57] plan update is in progress. We have all the data and maps now from our vendor

[24:02] for the evacuation study. We're waiting on two new software components that we

[24:08] were approved for in this year's budget to get through the onboarding process.

[24:13] Once we get that software on, we'll run all this data and maps through that and

[24:17] then have a finalized product ready by the end of the year. Uh we're supporting

[24:23] Lion County September 19th and 20th with our road safety barricades for their

[24:27] special event. Uh we don't have a special event thankfully that weekend.

[24:31] So we were able to take those down there and we'll be able to help them out with

[24:34] their event. The 2627 integrated preparedness plan. That's one that uh

[24:41] state EM requires us to complete. That one is done and has been submitted to

[24:45] the state. that goes over what plans we're updating, what exercises we have

[24:50] planned, what trainings we have planned within EM for that fiscal season. And

[24:56] then finally, our mobile EOC, we took it down to Trophy Tech in Moundhouse.

[25:01] That's a local Virginia or Story County, couple of gents run that company. So, we

[25:08] were very happy that their big came in, Lois, and we were able to support local

[25:12] and got the decals put on the trailer and it looks amazing. If you want to see

[25:16] it, it's written out by the jail. And then we're just waiting on the grant

[25:21] from FEMA to finish out the interior with all the tech stuff. And that is all

[25:27] I have. >> All right. Thank you for that update,

[25:29] Adam. Commissioner Gman, do you have any questions or comments?

[25:34] » All right. Vice Chairman. >> No. Thanks.

[25:36] » All right. Appreciate it. >> Um, don't see the ACTC here.

[25:42] » Controllers office. >> Nothing at this time. Thank you.

[25:45] Planning Department. >> Nothing right now.

[25:49] » All right. Health and Community Services.

[25:59] » Good morning. Stacy Gilbert for the record. Um, as Lieutenant Bmont said,

[26:04] Sheriff's Night Out is tonight in Miners Park, Virginia City, 5 to 8. Um, we'll

[26:09] have hot dogs and we plan popsicles, but it might be a little chilly for that.

[26:14] Um, this past Saturday I attended NAMI's unmasked gala with the sheriff and we

[26:21] had uh CCI's CEO Eric Shown. He was recognized with the leadership of the

[26:26] year award from them. We also had Deputy Hernandez and Sergeant Kerr from the

[26:32] Story County Sheriff's Office. Uh they won CIT officer of the year. So huge

[26:38] recognition for Story County there. Really appreciated it. And that is all.

[26:42] » All right. Thank you for that update. Commissioner Gilman, do you have any

[26:45] questions or comments? >> No, thank you.

[26:49] » Vice Chairman, >> no. Thank you.

[26:51] » All right. Thanks again for that news. >> How about the recorder's office?

[26:56] » All right. It

[27:04] comes James De County IT director. Uh, two quick updates. We have the outdoor

[27:09] camera project completed at the north bathrooms. So, uh, those have been up

[27:13] and running about a week now. Jason, where's Vicki at? Public works has

[27:16] control over those. So, we had a little problem with vandalism and people

[27:20] leaving trash. So, that hopefully that helps clean that up.

[27:23] » Outside the bathrooms. >> Outside the bathrooms. Wanted to make

[27:25] sure outside cameras. Um, second uh update is the storage rays are

[27:32] in and uh Tim and Riley are already doing the 25 gig upgrades in the uh

[27:38] dispatch data center. So, that's all I got.

[27:41] » All right. Thank you for that update. Commissioner Gilman, do you have any

[27:44] questions or comments? >> Vice Chairman.

[27:47] » No, thanks. >> All right. Appreciate the updates.

[27:51] » How about human resources? >> Community development.

[28:07] Good morning, commissioners. Joseph Starns for the record. Um, I haven't

[28:10] given an update in a while on our department activities. So, I figured I'd

[28:14] share some uh highlights with you today. So, our department continues to maintain

[28:19] strong workload and and a high level of activity despite our current staffing.

[28:24] And uh with that being said, I want to recognize our staff uh for their efforts

[28:28] and flexibility. Everyone has been stepping up to assist where when when

[28:32] and where needed. Their dedication and teamwork is greatly appreciated. I just

[28:37] want to share that at at group level. Um something I have noticed with our

[28:42] resident residential activity, there appears to be a little increase with our

[28:46] plotwalks and that's usually an indicator that we

[28:50] have a um an increase in residential permitting and that includes projects uh

[28:56] including generators, accessory structures, and new new houses, SFRs.

[29:02] So that's kind of exciting. I've been watching over the last couple months and

[29:05] uh overall um you know we've had a uh another strong month in both permit and

[29:13] uh plan review permit issuance and plan review. So I'll continue to monitor

[29:18] those as uh as they progress. But I thought I'd like to share that it's kind

[29:23] of exciting to see u residential um you know increase because we know mo the

[29:30] majority of our permitting and plan view activity and inspections is commercial

[29:34] related. So as we go through August and September we're entering um what is

[29:39] typically our most busiest months of the year August and September. Historically

[29:44] activity I usually see a little taper off in October due to weather conditions

[29:49] with a potential gradual decrease um past the first of the year. So I'll also

[29:55] continue to monitor those trends closely. Um the last five years or so we

[30:00] used to see a significant slowdown in winter but um last five years with

[30:04] commercial it not so much but a little bit. I want to congratulate one of our

[30:10] inspectors, Dan Horton, for recently uh obtaining his reclassification to

[30:14] building Inspector 2. Dan has earned this achievement through his continued

[30:17] work and commitment to the department, and uh we're fortunate to have him on as

[30:21] part of our team. He worked real hard to uh um progress from an inspector one to

[30:28] a two. So staffing, we're making progress

[30:32] there. We have relief positions have been posted and now the posting periods

[30:35] have closed for two out of the three positions which is an admin assistant to

[30:39] help with our um office uh downstairs department workload as well as our

[30:44] building official position which will provide support to

[30:48] our inspection permitting and plan review functions and uh a senior

[30:52] inspector position is also being considered. So two of the three have

[30:56] been posted and closed and uh interviews pending.

[31:03] So, I have been uh working with that being said with we have one more

[31:07] position that we're working with HR on um developing a job description for a

[31:10] plans examiner which Sor County has never really had. It's always been a

[31:14] dual role with inspector/plan review or plans examiner. So, we're working with

[31:19] HR on that. And um with that being said, and to assist with a little bit of

[31:24] workload, I've been working towards establishing a relationship with a

[31:28] third-party uh plan review firm. This will provide the department with

[31:32] additional plan review capacity when needed and help us manage the workload

[31:36] functions while we work through the process developing this new position.

[31:40] So overall, our dep department department continues to perform well

[31:44] under uh pressure, demanding workload, and uh you know, we we're we're

[31:50] committed to keeping services moving forward um for the county and the

[31:54] community. Thank you. >> All right, great update, Joe. Thank you,

[31:58] » Commissioner Gilman. Do you have any questions or comments?

[32:03] » Vice Chairman? >> No. Thank you.

[32:05] » All right. Appreciate the update. >> Thank you.

[32:08] Uh, how about the assessor's office? >> Nothing today. Thank you.

[32:12] » All right. Uh, Deputy DA Brown, do you have anything

[32:17] for us today?

[32:24] » Take that as a no. >> County manager.

[32:33] I'm Austin Osborne for the record. Just a couple things to let you know. uh not

[32:38] to steal Commissioner Carmona's thunder hopefully uh but he myself and public

[32:42] works director Jason W went to meet with uh Tracy Larkin from INDOT and her team

[32:48] yesterday for almost two hours uh talking about actually not just general

[32:52] things but specific issues uh that we're both facing together on USA Parkway I 80

[32:57] and the 50 corridor talked a little bit about the master plan and where Story

[33:02] County is going with commercial residential um employment

[33:07] things like that out at the north end of the county. And I'd say very useful. Uh

[33:12] we're looking at coordinating some efforts along the USA Parkway and some

[33:16] other development even on the 50 corridor to try to get their master

[33:20] plans and planning lined up with ours. Um I will say that the people and I

[33:24] mentioned this that she had at the meeting. I won't mention their names

[33:28] because I'll miss somebody. But these are people what I call the new end dot

[33:32] have been just extraordinary to work with. They work with us to try to get

[33:37] things around issues and challenges and bureaucracy and um they're wonderful to

[33:43] work with and uh and so is Tracy. Uh the next thing is on another note um the

[33:49] conversations of the Nevada Highway Patrol are still ongoing about

[33:52] potentially Story County contributing to a patrol um on I80 between Vista and USA

[33:59] Parkway with NHP agents. uh the folks have been working with and uh before

[34:04] were eager and excited. I did get some news back that right now they're running

[34:08] into some short resources. They have to do this with overtime folks and they

[34:13] don't have enough people working overtime in the region. U but we're

[34:17] going to continue that conversation. I'm not going to let that go. Uh the Patrick

[34:21] interchange as you see photos that are here and there, it's um on par and on

[34:27] schedule and on budget. Uh, and I am understanding that they are regularly

[34:33] keeping it open at certain times during the day. I drove it myself one day and

[34:37] was able to get on and through it. Uh, that new on-ramp should be ready in

[34:42] about a week and a half to two weeks and and it'll be ready and done. So, very

[34:46] excited about that. Uh, lastly, I'll just mention that Alex Tanek was not

[34:51] able to make the meeting today. He's working on our BDR that we'll talk about

[34:55] later. He's been working on updating our county codes, especially title 2

[34:59] administration. He's going through that right now and he's going through all of

[35:02] our nonHR administrative policies. We think maybe December, January, we'll

[35:07] have a lot of this stuff ready and updated. So, he's been a great addition

[35:11] to the office. That's all I have. >> All right. Thank you, Austin.

[35:14] Commissioner [clears throat] Gilman, do you have any questions or comments for

[35:16] Austin? >> No, thank you.

[35:20] » Vice Chairman. >> Uh, no. Thank you.

[35:22] » All right. Thanks for the update, Austin.

[35:24] Uh, clerk treasurer's office. [snorts]

[35:32] » Thank you, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Jim Hindle, clerk and treasurer. Uh, I just

[35:36] wanted to bring up a couple things. First of, we put out or actually uh,

[35:41] Deputy Clerk and Treasurer Dory Fate put out a memo via email to most of the

[35:46] departments last week redefining and resetting our deposit procedure. Our

[35:51] objectives with that are twofold. One is to help us manage the rate at which

[35:56] deposits are being brought in so we have time to process them uh efficiently and

[36:02] the other side is to try and reduce the amount of time that funds are being held

[36:07] at various offices around the county so we can get those deposits in and get

[36:11] those funds into the bank. Uh it's a little different. We're trying to set

[36:14] times for each and dates for each uh department to come in and make deposits.

[36:19] Uh if there are questions on that, uh talk to Dory or I. We're just trying to

[36:23] make the process a little more efficient, manage time and accuracy and

[36:28] safety of our funds. Uh DMV continues to be busy. In the last

[36:33] month, we did over 220. Uh that's a little lower than where we've been, but

[36:38] it continues to be uh strong and in demand. And we're also seeing a lot more

[36:45] uh questions coming in from other counties because I guess other counties

[36:49] and some of the other DMV offices are both putting their lead times out for

[36:53] appointments as well as some of the contract DMVs in other counties are

[36:57] taking our lead and only servicing their constituents. And so if you hear, let us

[37:03] hear if you get any feedback on that. But we want to make sure Story County

[37:06] residents are getting through and aren't experiencing problems. And then uh last

[37:11] but not least, we are 48 days today from early voting and we're just a little

[37:18] over 60 days until election day. So, we're feverishly getting things set up

[37:22] there and working to make sure we're preparing, getting the election set up,

[37:27] mail ballots. I know there's been a lot of uh issues in the news about mail

[37:31] ballots, but we will continue to go with statutes

[37:36] uh and by law. And at this point, we are on schedule to issue our mail ballots uh

[37:41] going out in the middle of September. Of course, if anything changes as the court

[37:46] uh as the issues make their way through the courts, we'll let you know. But

[37:50] everything should be business as usual on that standpoint. However, I would

[37:55] emphasize that if people don't want to get a mail ballot, please contact us.

[37:59] There's an opt out form and we can make it so that you don't get a ballot. You

[38:03] don't have to worry about that being in your mailbox. Uh, with that being said,

[38:07] we also encourage everybody to check your registration to make sure nothing

[38:11] has changed, especially if you have traveled to the DMV. Uh, but if there

[38:15] are any questions about registration, please contact us. And with that, we're

[38:20] ready to have some fun. >> All right, Commissioner Gman, do you

[38:23] have any questions or comments for Jim? >> No. Thank you,

[38:28] » Vice Chairman. >> No, thank you.

[38:29] » Jim, I have a question. >> Oh, sure.

[38:31] » Did you say mail and ballots are going out September 15th? They're they're

[38:35] going out around they'll start going out by middle of September maybe uh in there

[38:40] because we I mean some of that's starting with our overseas and out of

[38:43] state and then mail ballots will go out yeah around September 15th around

[38:49] September 18th uh for instate they'll start processing.

[38:53] » All right. Thank you. Just wanted a clarification there.

[38:56] » Yeah. If uh we get an update on that and something is a little bit different

[38:59] we'll let you know. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh, is

[39:02] there anybody in the courtroom that has an update for us that I forgot to call

[39:05] on today? All right, thank you everybody for those

[39:08] updates. Much appreciated. Lots of good things going on in Story County all the

[39:13] time. Um, we're going to move right along to item number 10, which is board

[39:18] comment. We'll start off with Commissioner Gilman

[39:23] » today. Thank you. >> All right, [clears throat] Vice

[39:26] Chairman. Um, I just want to acknowledge the work of the sheriff's office and

[39:30] everyone else for the sheriff's night out in Lockwood last week. Pretty good

[39:34] attendance and turnout and a great time as had by all. So, agreed. Thank you.

[39:39] Um, we talked about National Night Out. Um, you know, again, solid attendance

[39:44] out there. I think it was the biggest one I've been to. Um, one of the

[39:48] helicopter landings was a bit squirly, but uh, we'll talk about that one later.

[39:52] Um, the only other thing I wanted to talk about was uh uh we had a Story

[39:57] County resident pass away a little bit few weeks ago. If we can have a moment

[40:00] of silence for Don Air. Uh, you know, um, a lot of folks know him around town.

[40:06] I know he worked at the Delta and did uh quite a few other things. Uh, been a

[40:10] staple in Virginia City for quite a long time. Uh, so if we can have a moment of

[40:14] silence for Don uh and his family, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[40:22] » All right. Thank you. Uh, moving right along to item number

[40:26] 11. This is a discussion for possible action. Consideration and possible

[40:29] approval of resolution number 26-834 to lease a portion of uh 800 C Street,

[40:35] Virginia City, Nevada, occupied by Divide Fitness, Inc. at below market uh

[40:40] monthly rental amount with utility costs to be determined by the Story County

[40:44] Board of County Commissioners declaring such least uh in the best interest of

[40:48] the community. Uh Lisa, >> good morning. Lisa missile for the

[40:52] record. Um so this is uh for resolution 26834 for divide fitness. This is an

[41:01] opportunity for the commissioners to have a discussion and to determine a

[41:06] updated lease amount if any and utilities. Um the the owner of the

[41:11] business is here, Jesse Fain. Um, so this, um, recent appraisal came in that

[41:18] was completed by Mark Stafford at 3,280

[41:24] for the estimated market rent. The last one, which there is a date correction,

[41:28] it was April 24th of 2024, not 2026, was estimated at $2,798

[41:36] a month. Divide Fitness is currently occupying about 39% of the building or

[41:42] 3,720 square feet. And going back, I did a review of what the utilities were over

[41:50] the past year for this area for electrical would be at this portion um

[41:56] for the square footage $366.11 and water service at $67.86.

[42:04] Um, and I'm happy to read the resolution if you like or answer any questions

[42:10] beforehand. >> All right. Uh, Commissioner Gilman, do

[42:13] you have any questions or comments?

[42:18] » Not at this time. >> Vice Chairman.

[42:21] » Um, yeah. I'm sorry. I just I'd just like to

[42:26] um take a look at the resolution in a little more detail. Um, it's kind of a

[42:31] lengthy pattern. So may So maybe Lisa can either read it or hit the highlights

[42:36] for us or or what have you. >> Sound good?

[42:39] » I can go ahead and read it. >> Let's do it.

[42:41] » Resolution number 26-834, a resolution pursuant to NRS244.2833

[42:48] authorizing Story County to lease county owned property to Divide Fitness, Inc.

[42:52] for below market rent, declaring such lease in the best interest of the

[42:56] community and directing the board of county commissioners to set rent and

[43:00] utility cost based on prior year actuals. Whereas Story County owns the

[43:05] premises located at 800 South Sea Street, Virginia City, Nevada,

[43:10] APN00001-042-15,

[43:14] a portion of which is currently leased and occupied by Divide Fitness, Inc.

[43:20] Whereas Story County, oop, I skipped a different one. Whereas Divide Fitness

[43:26] provides valuable public health and wellness services as a 24-hour

[43:29] membership-based fitness facility contributing positively to community

[43:33] well-being. Whereas on July 8th, 2026, a fair market rent appraisal was completed

[43:39] by Mark Stafford, certified general appraiser, who determined the market

[43:43] rental value of the Divide Fitness premises to be $3,280

[43:48] per month. Whereas the board acknowledges this professional appraisal

[43:52] and finds that the appraised amount represents current fair market rental

[43:56] value for the leased portion of the building.

[43:59] Whereas NRS244.2833 authorizes Story County to lease county

[44:05] owned real property to a private entity at less than fair market value when the

[44:09] board determines such a lease to be in the best interest of the community.

[44:13] Whereas priory year utility cost records demonstrate proportional usage between

[44:20] justice court and divide fitness based on square footage with divide fitness

[44:25] historically accounting for 39% of shared utility consumption. Whereas the

[44:30] board finds it equitable to determine utility charges for the new lease term

[44:34] using prior year data and the square footage formula applied at the attached

[44:39] in the attached utility documents with an annual review and adjustment of

[44:44] utility charges as needed. Whereas the board further finds that continued

[44:49] occupancy by Divide Fitness ensures stable utilization of the county-owned

[44:53] building prevents vacancy and maintains a community serving business that

[44:57] contributes to health, safety, and public access. Whereas the board finds

[45:01] it appropriate to allow review and potential adjustment of the monthly

[45:05] rental rate on an annual basis. Whereas Story County will maintain fire

[45:10] extinguishers within the lease premises to protect the county-owned building and

[45:13] ensure safety for staff, tenants, and visitors.

[45:17] Whereas the current lease and draft replacement lease have been reviewed for

[45:22] reference and will guide preparation of the final lease agreement. Now,

[45:26] therefore, it be resolved by the Story County Board of County Commissioners

[45:30] that lease authorization. Story County is authorized to enter into a new lease

[45:34] agreement with Divide Fitness, Inc. for the premises located at 800 South Sea

[45:39] Street, Virginia City, Nevada. Lease term. The new lease shall commence on

[45:43] September 1st, 2026 for a period of three years with an option for a

[45:48] two-year extension below market lease approval based on the July 8th, 2026

[45:53] appraisal establishing fair market rent at 3,280 per month. The board formally

[45:59] finds that leasing the premises to Divide Fitness at below market value is

[46:03] in the best interest of Story County pursuant to NRS244.2833

[46:08] due to the public benefits and community services provided by the LESI. No

[46:14] competitive bid required. The board determines that issuing a competitive

[46:17] bid is not necessary as retaining the current tenant is in the community's

[46:22] best interest and supports consistent safe operation of the building. Rent

[46:26] determination. The board shall establish a below market rent rate taking into

[46:32] account community benefit, historical rent, building use, and the completed

[46:36] fair market appraisal with annual review and potential adjustments as

[46:39] appropriate. Utility cost determination. Utility

[46:44] charges will be calculated using prior year utility totals and the established

[46:48] 61% 39% square footage allocation between the justice court and divide

[46:53] fitness with an annual review and adjustment of utility charges for

[46:56] accuracy fire extinguishers. Story county shall maintain the fire

[47:00] extinguishers within the lease premises as part of the standard building safety

[47:04] practices lease documents. The draft lease and current lease are incorporated

[47:09] as guiding documents for preparation of the final lease.

[47:15] passed adopted maybe this day. >> Can you just cover uh on the record what

[47:21] the current lease is right now? The current rent is

[47:23] » The current rent is $1,500 a month. >> And uh you mentioned that there's going

[47:29] to be two other additional charges now. Power

[47:34] » if the board determines. >> Correct. And that dollar amount again,

[47:38] » uh, electrical service was estimated at $366.11

[47:43] a month and water service at $67.86 per month.

[47:47] » All right. Thank you.

[47:53] » Uh, Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments at this time?

[48:01] » Well, as I see in the best interest of the community, you keep this

[48:07] going.

[48:15] » Uh, thank you, Commissioner. Vice Chairman, do you have any questions or

[48:18] comments at this time? >> Um, I don't I don't I have some

[48:21] comments, but I'd be happy to hear from the Blessie if if she'd like to speak as

[48:26] well as the public. >> Yep.

[48:28] » Um, all right. So, uh, is there anything you'd like to come up and say as a

[48:35] business owner?

[48:42] » Jesse Fain, um, owner of Divide Fitness. I'm just curious. I understand, uh, you

[48:48] guys are more comfortable with the lease format that does include the utilities.

[48:54] Just waiting to hear what the base rent would be.

[48:57] » Okay. So, as it sits right now, if everything stayed the same, you'd go

[49:02] from 1,500 to roughly 1920, assuming the base rent was not adjusted.

[49:08] That's what the new rent would be. >> Okay.

[49:12] » Um, anything else you'd like to state at this time?

[49:14] » No. >> Okay. Is there any public comment

[49:16] regarding this item?

[49:25] » Jennifer McCain, Story County Controller. Um, I am up here as the

[49:30] controller and it's um, my job to make sure that the fiscal impact is fully

[49:35] reviewed and acknowledged. I'm not here to say that divide fitness does not

[49:40] provide a benefit to our community. We all, I think, understand that it does.

[49:45] However, we also need to acknowledge that there are other businesses in our

[49:49] very small community that provide their own benefits. Whether this is a

[49:54] restaurant, a bar, a gift shop, an athome daycare, an outome um masseuse or

[50:02] therapist, um we need to acknowledge that the subsidy that we are providing

[50:08] this business is solely because they are in a county owned building. It's not

[50:12] something that we can give every other business owner in our community. Um and

[50:18] I'm not saying that we should, but we do need to take that into account. Um, we

[50:24] also need to pay attention that this is actually our taxpayers giving this

[50:29] subsidy and we need to put a dollar amount as to what the benefit is to

[50:35] them. Um, these same taxpayers have the option to have membership to this

[50:41] business and they are paying full price. I've never heard that they are getting a

[50:48] cut rate discount because of a below market value or the subsidy that they're

[50:53] providing. As well, there is a segment of our population that cannot afford to

[50:59] join this gym and their tax dollars are still subsidizing this business. So, I

[51:04] think those things are very important that we look at. Um,

[51:14] I think that acknowledging that this business is

[51:18] um a benefit to our community, we also need to keep in the forefront of our

[51:24] minds that we're setting a precedence um second time around for this and is this

[51:29] the route that we want to go. If you remember last time when we fell um the

[51:34] commission decided that the board should um that the county should give a below

[51:39] market rent. We then were turned around with our other

[51:44] um tenant came back to us and said me too. I want to be treated the same. I'm

[51:51] very concerned that if we're doing this subsidy that our businesses that don't

[51:56] have the luxury of being in county buildings could also come to us and say

[52:01] what are you going to do for me? Um so again while I think the divide fitnesses

[52:07] provides a benefit to our community it is to a small segment of our community

[52:12] and we need to keep an open mind that our taxpayers go far beyond that.

[52:18] That's all I have to say. Thank you. Is there any other public comment at this

[52:23] time?

[52:27] All right. Not seeing any. Um, Commissioner Gilman, I'll ask one more

[52:30] time. Do you have any questions or comments?

[52:37] » All right. Vice Chairman, do you have anything?

[52:39] » Um, yeah, I do. Anyway, um you know, I've heard from constituents both, you

[52:44] know, reinforcing the value that the Divide Fitness brings to the community

[52:48] and and I I think there's no question about that. Uh and I've also heard

[52:52] others that that have expressed concerns sim similar what the controller um has

[52:57] has expressed and um concerns about equity in providing below market

[53:02] consideration for one company but not for others. And um I think I think for

[53:07] me that's that's still a sticking point. So, we we work pretty hard to do things

[53:12] the right way, to do things properly, to make sure that we're above board,

[53:15] transparent, following the law, doing things properly. And the law does give

[53:19] us the flexibility or the discretion to make a finding through a resolution that

[53:25] it's in the best interest of the county to uh to not charge market rent. And so,

[53:31] that's what's being proposed to us here. I think for me, this the sticking point

[53:36] is still that I have a hard time facing taxpayers of the county and

[53:42] telling them that uh I'm I'm having integrity by saying that um in this case

[53:51] we can charge less than market rent when we just went through a process with

[53:55] another county owned building where we insisted on the full process. Now I'm

[54:00] certainly not in favor of um of a competitive bidding process. We have a

[54:05] business that's already established that wants to continue. I don't we shouldn't

[54:09] bring anyone else into that conversation. Um but I I I have I have a

[54:15] really hard time making that finding that it's in the best interest of the

[54:20] county to do so in this case and not necessarily in others. Um as with the

[54:24] last time we considered this the flexibility that we have outside of that

[54:29] uh I'm I'm totally on board for and what I mean by that is we have two

[54:34] appraisals. One came in significantly lower than the other. I'm happy to go to

[54:38] the bottom of what market rent is. I I think that we have flexibility on

[54:42] utilities as well without passing a resolution that it's in the best

[54:46] interest of the county to take this alternative path. And so I'd be willing

[54:51] to look at

[54:55] not capturing those separately, rolling that in, whatever. U but it's still it

[55:00] still comes in quite a bit higher than if we were to leave it where it is and

[55:04] add the utility component. So th those are my thoughts on it. That's what I'm

[55:08] struggling with as far as process goes and and the right way to proceed

[55:11] forward. Um but I am just one member of the board.

[55:14] » Do you have a do you have a dollar amount that you're

[55:19] that [snorts] you're set in on? >> No. Um so so to me to me it's not a

[55:25] dimmer switch. It's a light switch on the main amount. And the main amount is

[55:29] either we charge market rent or we don't. Okay. if we don't charge market

[55:32] if we charge anything less than market rent we have to find it's in the best

[55:35] interest of the county to do so. Um and that's the finding that I'm having a

[55:39] tough time making. So for me I look at it and I go well the latest appraisal

[55:43] said 3280 but we have a previous one that's at 2798.

[55:48] That to me is as much market rent as 3280 and so easy for me to go down to

[55:54] that level. I don't believe we have to make the same finding u about utilities

[55:59] and so I'd be willing to wave utilities if that's helpful. County should handle

[56:03] the fire extinguishers. I think that's a no-brainer. Um anything else kind of

[56:07] around the periphery that we can be flexible on. I'm totally on board with

[56:10] that. Um I just have a really hard time making the finding and potentially

[56:15] setting a precedent that we that we treat one business differently than

[56:19] another. >> Thank you. Um you know I uh to to jump

[56:27] in here um you know the the understand the logic uh you know for me

[56:34] it's um I guess slightly different in the sense

[56:39] that there isn't a competing business. U I don't necessarily disagree with you.

[56:44] Um I mean the point has been made that you know um

[56:49] there's benefit to the gym. Um, you know, I was a private business owner

[56:53] myself. I get it. Um, this is definitely a unique circumstance. I mean, I've made

[56:58] my views pretty clear. I think the rental business in general for Story

[57:03] County is a tough call. Um, but uh, you know, if um,

[57:11] you know, again, I I see it both ways as well. So, I mean, where where it sits

[57:15] right now, uh, is that if we kept the base rent the same, charge utilities,

[57:19] we'd be at $1,920. Uh, your suggestion is that we wrap everything up, um, and

[57:26] basically sit at the $2,700 mark. >> I that would be acceptable to me. I'm

[57:32] not necessarily I'm not necessarily suggesting it, but that's that's

[57:36] something that I could support. >> Okay. Uh, Commissioner Gilman, while

[57:40] this discussion is happening, what are your thoughts?

[57:46] Well, again, you know, I see this business as a benefit to the community

[57:51] and like you pointed out, it's not like there's no competing business. We don't

[57:56] have anything like this I'm aware of in your city like YMCA type thing or

[58:04] excuse me. Um,

[58:08] for me, just looking at this, you know, the

[58:12] country utilities, you know, I think is

[58:19] something that we can handle as a community. I understand there's other

[58:23] taxpayers out there that may not use the gym, but there's also taxpayers that

[58:29] can't get themselves down the hill and not easy for them to move around. I was

[58:36] happy with something like this. Excuse me.

[58:42] » Okay. So, um I'm just trying to pin you down here a little bit. Sorry. Um so,

[58:47] you're comfortable with with the base rent staying the same and charging

[58:50] utilities, which puts us at 1920. >> I apologize.

[58:56] Yes. >> No problem.

[59:02] » Okay.

[59:05] Um, as a business owner, do you mind if I call you up?

[59:11] » So, uh, you've expressed in the past that there isn't much flexibility

[59:16] on your end as far as being able to absorb an increase.

[59:20] » Yes. So, we just hit our 10-year anniversary in April, and over those 10

[59:27] years, I have absorbed all the other increases.

[59:30] So, I will have to raise my membership rates. Okay. Um, have you done any

[59:36] calculations on what that's going to put the membership rates at? If

[59:41] » you know, because even now there's a there's a I'm not going to say

[59:44] substantial increase, but >> yeah, it's a bit of a guess because

[59:49] we hope some people won't want to stomach that and then I'll lose members.

[59:53] So, it's it's >> Where has your membership has your

[59:58] membership stayed the same? Has it increased, decreased? It's dropped a

[1:00:01] little bit, especially over the last several months with people nervous about

[1:00:04] what's going to happen. A lot of my people like to do I only have two

[1:00:08] options. You either pay by the month or if you pay a year in advance, you get

[1:00:11] two months free. Um and so a lot of those had to go away because I couldn't

[1:00:16] I didn't know if I'd be around. >> Okay.

[1:00:18] » So, >> all right. So, are you still um I mean

[1:00:22] if if if we end up approving something uh at the minimum 1920, do you

[1:00:29] anticipate that being an issue? >> I think they could handle a little bit

[1:00:33] of an increase to cover that. >> I mean, you still have roughly 100

[1:00:36] members. >> Mhm.

[1:00:37] » Okay. So, if my math's right, it's basically about, you know, four bucks a

[1:00:40] member. >> Yeah. Um if if uh

[1:00:45] we went up higher than that um at 2700, you don't think that's going to work for

[1:00:51] anybody? It's just too much of an increase to absorb.

[1:00:55] » I think so. And unfortunately, a lot of the people that I would lose would be

[1:00:58] our older folks. >> Okay.

[1:01:03] All right. Thank you. I don't I don't have any more questions at this time.

[1:01:06] I'm going to ask again. I know there's not a whole bunch of public in there,

[1:01:08] but is there any other public comment?

[1:01:13] Okay. Um, are you prepared to make a motion at this point?

[1:01:17] » You know, if it's all right, I' I'd like to respond to a couple of the the points

[1:01:21] that Commissioner Gilman brought up. Um, >> you know, I um

[1:01:27] c certainly there there is a benefit to having a gym in town and those I don't

[1:01:31] want to reitigate litigate everything that we talked about two years ago. Um,

[1:01:36] but there are uh other what I would call health related businesses

[1:01:42] um or or uh organizations that could or would benefit from a subsidy of some

[1:01:50] kind. Um and um I'll just use one example. My wife and I teach swing

[1:01:55] dancing. We do as a fundraiser at the Fourth Ward School. If that was

[1:01:58] subsidized, we do it a lot more often. It's a healthy activity. It's a it's a

[1:02:03] social activity. uh it brings a benefit to the community. Now, I'm not trying to

[1:02:07] make a living off of it. It's not I'm I'm not advocating for a subsidy, but my

[1:02:11] point is to point out that um it's it's a bit of a slippery slope when we start

[1:02:15] down saying, "Well, this is a benefit more of a b is it more of a benefit than

[1:02:19] this other business." Uh that's a that's a picking winners and losers that's

[1:02:23] that's really tough for me to um to to stomach.

[1:02:28] Um, I

[1:02:33] we don't know what the market would be, and I'm not really uh advocating that we

[1:02:37] go out and see who else is out there. But I'll tell you, if if I if I could

[1:02:41] have access to a 5,500 square foot building for undermarket rent with

[1:02:45] utilities capped, um, I'd do it in a heartbeat because I'd plug in a bunch of

[1:02:49] Bitcoin miners and use a ton of util a ton of electricity and make all that

[1:02:53] money back. And so so again, not that I'm proposing that, but I don't think

[1:02:58] that it's absolutely unique. I think the biggest issue

[1:03:03] when I consider the argument that this provides a benefit is that what is the

[1:03:09] proper way for us as a government, an entity that has the ability to take

[1:03:13] people's money through taxes? What is the proper way for us to provide a

[1:03:17] benefit to the community? And the proper way for us to provide a benefit to the

[1:03:20] community is to provide a public a public facility. That that's how we do

[1:03:26] it. And we're allowed to provide subsidies for nonprofit organizations

[1:03:32] because there's a clear benefit to the community there.

[1:03:36] But as a general rule, we're not allowed to provide a benefit through a private

[1:03:40] company um and and through a private organization. And so there was some talk

[1:03:46] about this last time, but if the goal is to provide a benefit to the community,

[1:03:50] then it should be open to the entire community. And I don't want to change. I

[1:03:54] don't want to force a private business to change. I don't want to force them to

[1:03:59] open up to whomever. But as a government, that's kind of what we have

[1:04:03] to do. And so those are those are my big stumbling blocks when we when we make

[1:04:06] the argument that this is the proper way to provide a community benefit. Um, that

[1:04:12] being said, if it's the will of the board to go ahead, I'm I'm not going to

[1:04:14] stand in the way. Um, I I just I I just can't make those dots connect for me.

[1:04:21] » Okay. I mean, I don't want to read in between the lines here, but um, is there

[1:04:24] is there some sort of desire that this becomes a county facility like the

[1:04:30] swimming pool? >> U, you know, I thought a lot about that

[1:04:34] because that was a topic of conversation previously and I have a hard time seeing

[1:04:38] as a standalone county facility. Uh, I mean, do you have someone sitting at the

[1:04:42] front desk? Um, I if you have to be open to the public, then a a cardlock system,

[1:04:48] I don't know if that really works. I think staffing it and I don't I don't

[1:04:51] see us staffing a community gym, if you will,

[1:04:56] » um, by itself. Now, down the road, if there's some way to roll it in with

[1:05:00] other recreational activities and have someone staffing a combined recreation

[1:05:04] facility of some kind, I think that makes a ton of sense and totally willing

[1:05:08] to look into that. But that's not that's kind of outside the scope of what we're

[1:05:12] considering here. That's that's not part of the discussion.

[1:05:14] » Yeah. No, I know. I just don't want to leave that option out if that's

[1:05:18] » a direction that we want to look at. So, >> um

[1:05:22] Okay. At this point, are you prepared to make

[1:05:25] a motion? >> I'm sorry.

[1:05:31] » Oh, yeah. So, go ahead, Commissioner. >> Appreciate everything you said. totally

[1:05:35] understand where you're coming from and and if we you know decide later on

[1:05:41] in the future do something like you all just discuss about the community center

[1:05:45] that would be great to do something but I don't think we're ready today to

[1:05:50] have those discussions so trying to keep something for the community

[1:05:55] at least for the next few years or whatever that might be I think my

[1:05:59] sticking point is just having something up there for our community

[1:06:05] and yes, we would have to subsidize it, but I just think it's a it's a benefit

[1:06:12] that's not a bar or something of that nature. So

[1:06:18] like recreational or

[1:06:24] people working out, being out there away from their homes, away from their

[1:06:29] computers, just being out, meeting people at the gym, wait for them to

[1:06:34] connect with others. At this point, what we have, I see it as

[1:06:38] a benefit. Is there something else we can do in the future? Sure. I'd be

[1:06:42] willing to discuss that. I'm just looking at as what we have today.

[1:06:48] That's all I wanted to say. >> All right. Thank you, Commissioner.

[1:06:51] » Yeah, M Mr. Chairman, if I may. And yeah, thank you, Commissioner Gilman. I

[1:06:55] appreciate the those thoughts and and [snorts] I know it it was I think just a

[1:07:00] bit before your time, but um it was kind of my understanding that the two years

[1:07:05] that we continued on the last one was to be the time for us to discuss all the

[1:07:10] different ideas and what have you. And so I'm I I I do want a resolution. I

[1:07:14] don't think there's any point in holding out uh for something that we have not

[1:07:18] discussed or planned. Um but you know, a little a little bit of frustration that

[1:07:23] we didn't take the time that we had in the interim to fully vet out those

[1:07:28] ideas. Um because it was my understanding that's kind of the whole

[1:07:31] point of why we continued it last time and I I don't love kicking the can down

[1:07:35] the road, but um but we need to deal with the issue that's at hand, of

[1:07:38] course. >> Okay,

[1:07:43] you're absolutely

[1:07:47] you come up. Is there something you want to say?

[1:07:50] » Yes, please. >> Yeah.

[1:07:51] » Jennifer McCain, >> Story County Comproller. Again, while I

[1:07:54] understand everyone's points and I can have agreements with all of them, I

[1:07:59] think some of Commissioner Gilman's exact reasons for the benefit of this

[1:08:05] particular establishment, um getting them away from their

[1:08:09] computers, getting our residents outside, having them socialized that can

[1:08:13] be attached to any other business in our community. I we all understand the

[1:08:18] benefit of fitness. We have many areas for people to get outside and walk. We

[1:08:23] have a pool that the county already provides and um senior center activities

[1:08:28] that utilize the park. I think it is very important that why we understand

[1:08:33] all of these non-financial benefits. We need to be able to represent some

[1:08:40] measures of um some measurable benefit that we can pass on to our residents as

[1:08:46] to why this one business is getting a below market value rent

[1:08:51] when this is not an option for any other business in our community, not just

[1:08:57] Virginia City, but the entire story county.

[1:09:02] » Thank you.

[1:09:08] Did you have something, Lisa? >> Okay.

[1:09:12] [snorts] >> So, Commissioner Gil, uh, Commissioner

[1:09:15] Gilman, Vice Sherman, are you prepared to make a

[1:09:19] motion at this time?

[1:09:28] Um, I don't I don't I have a feeling the motion I made would not be supported by

[1:09:32] the board, so it probably doesn't move us forward.

[1:09:34] » Okay. >> All right. Uh, Commissioner Gilman,

[1:09:38] would you like to make a motion?

[1:09:46] » I don't have this time. I apologize. >> Okay.

[1:09:50] » It seems like this is a very

[1:09:55] interesting issue here. Everybody kind of has their feelings on it. Maybe I

[1:09:59] need to understand something a little bit more. I don't think I'm ready to

[1:10:03] make a motion. >> Okay. Um

[1:10:08] are we month by month, monthto month right now?

[1:10:11] » Yes. Where? >> And it's going to be month to month

[1:10:13] until this is decided. >> Yes.

[1:10:15] » So, um I know you don't like kicking the can down the road. um if we got to kick

[1:10:19] it for a month. Um I've just done some basic math here. Um I believe it's going

[1:10:24] to be a $12 increase based on a 100 members. It's going to be a $12 increase

[1:10:30] if I'm not mistaken if we went to 2700 as opposed to 1500. Maybe my math's off.

[1:10:36] Um but it's an additional 12 onto your monthly fee of $50. Is that correct?

[1:10:43] Has your membership fee gone up or anything?

[1:10:47] » No, it hasn't. But it this it'll depend on what goes on here today. But I'd like

[1:10:51] to throw a couple things out there. >> Sure.

[1:10:53] » Um >> how many people bid on the other county

[1:10:58] building when that went out to bid >> old corner bar?

[1:11:02] » Mhm. >> Uh

[1:11:04] believe one person. >> There was interest from multiple parties

[1:11:08] but nobody followed through. Okay. >> Um

[1:11:14] and just kind of talking about

[1:11:19] keeping people like I realize that the gym isn't for everybody. It's not for a

[1:11:24] majority of people want it, but there's a significant batch of people that do

[1:11:28] use that. And that's that many people that aren't going down the hill for that

[1:11:32] resource. So, they're not going up and down the grade. They're not going down

[1:11:37] there and like, well, I'm already down here going to the gym, so I'll just fill

[1:11:40] my gas tank up down here at Maverick instead of up here at our gas station.

[1:11:43] So, there's other little things that go along with it, too. keeping people up on

[1:11:46] the hill. Um, you know, using this resource. So, just

[1:11:52] like to hopefully you can go back to your

[1:11:55] original thoughts of just adding in the utilities, start there. Um,

[1:12:01] comproller mentioned the pool. The pool is open for 47 days.

[1:12:07] This is open 365 days a year. Um, I know it's kind of gets pushed off a little

[1:12:13] bit, but rebuilding our pool and maybe making it a full rec center, you know,

[1:12:17] it's it's out there. It'll happen soon. Maybe we can try to just keep this

[1:12:21] option alive until you get there. That's all.

[1:12:24] » All right. Thank you. So, Commissioner Gilman, am I

[1:12:28] understanding you correctly? Would you like a little bit of time to

[1:12:32] digest this more or is that not what you said?

[1:12:39] Please. >> Okay. So then

[1:12:42] » can I ask a question? Go ahead. We're going to go that direction.

[1:12:52] » Austin Husband for the record county manager.

[1:12:56] Um, what I'm going to ask you is just

[1:12:59] whatever the board decides to do, if there's a continuence or you want to do

[1:13:03] something else, can you give some direction to staff, please, on what you

[1:13:07] want us to do? Do you want us to continue interfacing with the tenant? Do

[1:13:12] you want us to come back with multiple options for this board to consider based

[1:13:16] on a discussion happened today? I would just ask that that's articulated um so

[1:13:21] we don't just bring it back to here in October or whenever the next day is just

[1:13:26] unless that's what you want just to continue thinking about it and then the

[1:13:30] same motion brought back that's fine too we just want to be clear on that so we

[1:13:34] kind of know what to do uh during the interim that's all thank you

[1:13:37] » thank you I think um I mean we we basically have two options in front of

[1:13:42] us two two possible options right one would be vice chairman's suggestion have

[1:13:49] the the lower end of the original appraisal, which was $2,700.

[1:13:53] Um, and then the other option uh would be the keep the base around at

[1:13:58] $1,500 and tack on essentially another $420 in utilities. So, I think that

[1:14:07] uh if there's any direction, I would say to

[1:14:11] the business owner, if this item is indeed postponed, I

[1:14:16] would probably work on running some calculations based on that 2700 and see

[1:14:23] what that's going to do to your monthly membership fees. Um, so that at least

[1:14:27] there's an answer there to make sure my math is correct. Um, I know you've

[1:14:31] stated that your members don't really have the pallet for an increase. Um,

[1:14:36] nobody likes that increase, but I think it would make everybody feel comfortable

[1:14:40] [snorts] at least working on those two numbers.

[1:14:43] Obviously, keeping things the same, you know, um, and and adding the utilities.

[1:14:48] I assume that's easily dealt with on your end. Um, if there is a if we do end

[1:14:55] up increasing the rent to $2,700, utilities all wrapped up, um, I mean,

[1:15:01] it's basically, you know, $780 more is is the difference between, I think,

[1:15:07] where we are all sitting right now. So, you know, I would say for you at least,

[1:15:13] those are probably two very realistic options at this point. Um,

[1:15:19] you know, and then as far as staff goes, as far as a motion, I don't think

[1:15:24] » I'm speaking for myself. I don't think anything needs to change with the motion

[1:15:27] other than >> to roll this out.

[1:15:31] » Yeah. I mean, I I don't want to complicate things, but can I throw out

[1:15:35] potentially something else for staff to look at and Yep. And uh you know what if

[1:15:43] um in instead of subsidizing in this way um we looked at providing a benefit

[1:15:51] which is a subsidy on the membership to anyone who's a resident of the county so

[1:15:56] that to to join the gym and so that it's available to anyone. And I understand

[1:16:02] that would change the character, right? you'd get people who aren't as um

[1:16:06] devoted to fitness or kind of um socially kind of in that space. But um

[1:16:15] for me it would alleviate the idea that we are charging undermarket rent. We

[1:16:21] could charge full market rent but then provide what we would have subsidized

[1:16:25] and I'm assuming much more because I wouldn't want to limit it. it' be for

[1:16:29] any u any residents of the county that wanted a membership, we provide a

[1:16:35] subsidy for that. I don't know if there's legality in doing it that way.

[1:16:39] Um but if if the determination is that the

[1:16:43] benefit is so great that we can't let the business close. Mhm.

[1:16:48] » I would rather see the benefit provided to all taxpayers as opposed to

[1:16:56] scrunching down the costs as much as we can to benefit a smaller group of

[1:17:01] people, >> right?

[1:17:02] » Maybe that's wild. Maybe maybe that's not not practical.

[1:17:05] » No, I mean, honestly, it was it was thrown around the last time we dealt

[1:17:08] with this was a way a way to offer to the community, you know. Um I I don't

[1:17:13] recall that conversation in full. It didn't sound like it was maybe more

[1:17:17] complicated and and [snorts] I'm looking to you, the

[1:17:21] owner, because I I believe that was discussed last time. Um I don't remember

[1:17:25] there being a That's an awesome idea.

[1:17:29] » Are you specifically suggesting the county buy the gym and operate it like

[1:17:36] such as the swimming pool? Is that what you're suggesting? No, I'm I'm

[1:17:39] suggesting kind of like the dump voucher system where residents would be able to

[1:17:44] access some sort of uh credit that they could then use towards membership at the

[1:17:48] gym. >> Oh, gotcha. I'm open to whatever ideas

[1:17:51] you have. >> Okay. Okay. Now, I'm I just want to be

[1:17:55] clear here because the last time that was brought up, I think the issue was um

[1:18:00] can't absorb the increase. Don't know how many people are going to join. Yep.

[1:18:06] » Um, is that is the appetite changed? Are you willing to look at something like

[1:18:10] that? If I remember the discussion last time, it was uncertainty of who would

[1:18:15] join, who would take advantage because if the rent goes up and people don't

[1:18:19] take advantage of the vouchers,

[1:18:23] and you haven't increased any revenue to cover that increase in rent,

[1:18:28] » I guess. >> No. So when we talked about this last

[1:18:32] time, the idea was thrown around. Um the feedback I thought I got was that it was

[1:18:39] too there were no certainties as to an increase in membership and therefore you

[1:18:44] would not be able to absorb the increase in rent without knowing you had x amount

[1:18:49] of people paying a membership fee. Because if based on what vice chairman's

[1:18:54] talking about, you know, if we offer, hey, you want to join the gym, it's 25

[1:18:58] bucks off your monthly rental. you know, your monthly membership, there's still

[1:19:02] no guarantee people are going to do it. So then now your rent is raised,

[1:19:07] assuming we're on vice chairman's track, you're now paying 2,700 bucks a month.

[1:19:13] You don't have an increase in membership.

[1:19:15] Who's going to absorb that that >> right? But like what are you doing for

[1:19:19] all the existing members giving them a $25 voucher?

[1:19:22] » Yep. >> Because that's fair.

[1:19:24] » It' be a county res every county resident would have the option.

[1:19:29] » Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I'm not sure if it's fair to to ask for an opinion from Jesse

[1:19:34] at this point because I think we need to do some projections, right, and see,

[1:19:37] well, what if this if if this happens, is this what do those numbers look like?

[1:19:41] And so, it's >> I just want to make sure the appetite's

[1:19:43] even there because last time it didn't seem like it,

[1:19:45] » right? >> I just don't want to waste time if

[1:19:47] there's no desire to look at >> Well, my desire is to keep a gym in some

[1:19:53] shape or form up here for the community. Okay.

[1:19:57] » Thank you.

[1:20:02] So, are you prepared to make a motion? Would you like Commissioner Dylan to

[1:20:05] make a motion? >> Um, well, if you're comfortable with us

[1:20:09] uh instructing staff to explore that as an idea,

[1:20:13] » I'm happy to make a motion to continue. That's easy enough.

[1:20:16] » Okay. >> We do need to give directions.

[1:20:18] » Sure. >> Okay. Y

[1:20:21] » do we want to acknowledge the controller?

[1:20:24] » Oh, did you have others? >> I have one more thing. I'm sorry.

[1:20:27] Please. Um, while I understand that we are [snorts] talking about what the

[1:20:32] owner of this business can afford, um, to keep the gym open, that there are no

[1:20:37] guarantees that if she backs out of owning the gym that no one else will

[1:20:41] take it over, um, I do think while unconventional

[1:20:46] that having her open her books to prove that

[1:20:49] this is not a for-profit business might be something that we need to look into

[1:20:54] to ensure that we are not just supplementing ing a business that's

[1:20:58] already making money. >> It's interesting you mentioned that. I

[1:21:01] had asked earlier this morning um if that was something that maybe staff

[1:21:07] could could look at to exactly basically what you're saying. You know, staff can

[1:21:14] confirm, hey, this is a, you know, an ongoing

[1:21:18] uh not really profiting business. Um if that would, you know, maybe appease some

[1:21:25] folks. Um, but I I would ask the deputy DA if that's um are we able to make that

[1:21:31] request.

[1:21:35] » Can you can you rephrase the request? >> So, one of the

[1:21:41] one [clears throat] of the issues was that um there isn't a lot of profit in

[1:21:45] this business. And I know that I have been asked [snorts] um is it really not

[1:21:50] profitable? Um and I think that's basically the same thing you're saying.

[1:21:54] If we're subsidizing this business, is it really not a profitable business?

[1:22:01] » I don't know how else to phrase that. >> If it's not a profitable business, and

[1:22:05] that's what we're basing the rent on, can we see the books? This is something

[1:22:09] we do regularly with our nonprofits that we do subsidize,

[1:22:13] » right? >> They have to show us, you know, what

[1:22:15] they spent the previous years and their various, not their tax forms. I can't

[1:22:20] think of the name of the tax form, but if this is truly a nonprofit business

[1:22:25] after 10 years, it's not up to us to tell them to shut

[1:22:29] down or to keep moving. But if we're going to subsidize it, I think our

[1:22:32] taxpayers have a right to know that this is actually not a profitable business.

[1:22:40] » At no point have I ever said I was a nonprofit. For the record,

[1:22:44] » not nonprofit. In the previous discussion, it was stated that there

[1:22:47] isn't, you know, I I'm not going to say breaking even, but that was the

[1:22:51] impression that we all were under. >> Okay. So, maybe that's that my

[1:22:55] understanding that you want to find what that point is to make sure I'm not

[1:23:00] making any money and that's where you're going to set the rent.

[1:23:04] » I don't I don't know that it has to do with where to set the rent. I mean, um,

[1:23:07] the again to to bring this back three years ago, um, the discussion was that

[1:23:13] we can't increase the rent because there isn't much margin of profit in this

[1:23:18] business. And so I think what the comproller is trying to say is, you

[1:23:23] know, if there really isn't money being made from the business, it

[1:23:28] may be easier to justify the the subsidy of rent.

[1:23:38] My whole thought here is any increase in the rent, I have to increase my dues,

[1:23:45] which is the county taking more money from the

[1:23:49] residents, your constituents, your taxpayers, and putting it back into the

[1:23:54] county. That's all this is doing. >> Okay,

[1:24:04] Brian, didn't mean to cut you off. Was there something you wanted to add?

[1:24:14] » All right. So, at this point, >> yeah, Brian, you're still on.

[1:24:17] » I do want to hear. >> Yes.

[1:24:24] » Yes. But we can hear some other background noise. Brian.

[1:24:35] Can you hear me now? Is this better? >> Yes.

[1:24:40] » All right. Um, it's certainly within the board's discretion to to request access

[1:24:45] to the um financial information of the business in order to make this decision.

[1:24:51] Um, that would be done through staff and we would make appropriate considerations

[1:24:57] um to make sure that information that would be confident remain confidential

[1:25:02] but be a decision on financial issues.

[1:25:07] » All right. Thank you, Brian. County manager, did you have something you

[1:25:10] wanted to say? >> My question was related to something if

[1:25:14] Brian was not able to join in and he did. So, I am good.

[1:25:18] » Great. Anybody else want to say something before you?

[1:25:23] » Okay. Are you prepared to make a motion? >> Um, yeah. I'm I'm I'm happy to I

[1:25:28] certainly don't I want everyone to I want everyone to have as much time as

[1:25:31] they need to make the decision. So I don't I don't want to rush it.

[1:25:34] » Um >> and if it's all right, I'd like to as

[1:25:39] part of that motion instruct staff to look at some alternative arrangements

[1:25:44] and interface with the owner of the business on what might be acceptable and

[1:25:48] what's not. If it looks like there's some pathways that are open,

[1:25:52] » then we can bring those back for consideration. Um I don't certainly

[1:25:56] don't want to leave the business in limbo. I understand that that

[1:25:58] uncertainty is not helpful and um and so I don't I don't want to prolong that,

[1:26:03] but if there are paths that seem like a win-win, I I think it's it's worth

[1:26:08] taking a little bit of time to consider those.

[1:26:10] » I agree. >> So, so if that's all right, that's

[1:26:15] » that works for me. >> Yeah. So,

[1:26:19] um, I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to continue this item, item number 11, to

[1:26:28] our next regularly scheduled meeting on uh, September 15th here at the

[1:26:32] courthouse and in the interim to instruct staff to uh, to discuss with

[1:26:38] the business owner and internally potential alternative structures to uh,

[1:26:44] look at viability for the business as discussed on the record.

[1:26:47] » Do you mind if I ask, Mr. Chairman, that the items that were discussed during

[1:26:51] this meeting and proposed be part of those so we at least have some guard

[1:26:55] rails and some structure in our conversations?

[1:26:58] » That works for me. >> Yeah, I I think using the discussion

[1:27:03] that we've had today as guidance for for those discussions.

[1:27:07] » Thank you, Austin. >> Okay, there's a motion on the floor.

[1:27:15] There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[1:27:18] » I. >> I.

[1:27:20] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously.

[1:27:23] » Thank you, Jesse. Thank you, Jennifer. Thank you, Lisa.

[1:27:28] » Moving on to item number 12 is discussion for possible action. Uh,

[1:27:32] consideration and possible action on the business impact statement for a change

[1:27:36] story county code ordinance repealing and replacing portions of Story County

[1:27:40] Code, chapter 5.04, 04 5.12 8.28

[1:27:46] uh to modernize and reorganize county business and liquor licensing

[1:27:50] regulations, clarify definitions, application requirements, enforcement

[1:27:55] authority, and administrative procedures. Laura,

[1:27:58] » thank you. Laura Mather for the record. Um so this business impact statement is

[1:28:04] um here for your review and approval. So, anytime we make changes to a story

[1:28:10] county code that would affect a business, whether positive or negative,

[1:28:13] we are required to do a business impact statement. Um,

[1:28:18] so this one was done done a little bit differently because um for our first

[1:28:22] reading of these sections, we had some changes. The business impact statement

[1:28:27] um as it is today reflects those changes that were recommended by this board

[1:28:32] during first reading. So, um section 5.04 04.100's

[1:28:38] temporary sellers permit. Um we clarified the language so that people

[1:28:43] know that if they have an existing business license and they're going to

[1:28:46] sell the same item, they don't need to get a temporary sellers permit. Um it

[1:28:51] also added um in section 5.04.130, 4.130.

[1:28:57] It added that um vacation rentals or short-term rentals um the owner has

[1:29:03] discretion to require um a minimum age of 25.

[1:29:08] Section 5.04.240 changed professional partnerships from

[1:29:12] each partner requiring a business license to that business requiring a

[1:29:17] business license. Um section 5.12.100

[1:29:22] liquor license fees and regulations. Um I added the fees that were listed in

[1:29:29] the general fees down to that specific section. Those fees that have to do with

[1:29:35] liquor licensing. Um section 5.12.100

[1:29:40] we added that um all alcoholic beverages for off-sale consumption must be sold in

[1:29:46] the original manufactured sealed container.

[1:29:50] Um section 5.12.170 beer and wine licensing we added um

[1:29:57] cider to that. to that same section. Um, we added the

[1:30:03] the notification process to um the neighboring

[1:30:09] um community based on the full business, the full liquor licensing.

[1:30:15] Um, under the definitions for that section, cider was added as defined in

[1:30:21] NRS 597.240 240 subsection 6 and then added the word

[1:30:27] cider throughout the document where it was appropriate.

[1:30:33] Section 8.28.025 alcoholic beverages for offsale premises

[1:30:38] that was expanded to include um so it was originally only in it was

[1:30:44] originally that outdoor was not allowed. So that was changed to off- premises

[1:30:49] sales involving alcoholic beverages may be conducted outdoors within a

[1:30:53] specifically designated area approved for the event provided that such sales

[1:30:58] are limited to um attendees of the event. So, I just want to make sure so

[1:31:03] these obviously the board will will be able to review when I do the second

[1:31:08] reading of those chapters. That will be done the first meeting of October. But I

[1:31:11] wanted to make sure that you knew that um all of your recommendations were

[1:31:15] added to that and they are now in that business impact statement.

[1:31:20] So, if approved, the county manager will sign it. Um it will be available on our

[1:31:25] website. It will be available in the clerk treasur's office. We have five um

[1:31:31] vacation short-term rental entities with business licenses.

[1:31:37] Um I will mail each one of them um a copy as along with our chamber of

[1:31:41] commerce. While I'm talking about that, I do want

[1:31:46] to take kind of a little side note and remind

[1:31:50] property owners in Story County that if they have their property listed on um a

[1:31:56] website such as Airbnb, that does require a business license and not all

[1:32:01] areas of Story County is that zoned. So, I think it's important that um our

[1:32:07] property owners know that and they can obviously reach out to community

[1:32:11] development to to clarify whether or not they need a business license.

[1:32:16] I'm happy to answer any questions. >> All right. Thank you, Commissioner

[1:32:20] Gilman. Do you have any questions or comments?

[1:32:25] » No. Thank you, >> Vice Chairman.

[1:32:28] » Um, no. Thank you. Thanks. Thanks for getting those updates made.

[1:32:31] » Yeah, that was I was going to say the same thing. Thank you for getting those

[1:32:34] changes made. Um, is there any public comment at this time regarding this

[1:32:37] item? Not seeing any. Vice Chairman, you

[1:32:42] prepare to make a motion? >> Yeah. I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to

[1:32:45] continue consideration of the business impact statement for a change to Story

[1:32:49] County Code ordinance repealing and replacing portions of Story County Code

[1:32:52] Chapters 5.04 business licenses, 5.12 sale of alcoholic beverages, and 8.28 28

[1:32:58] special events to modernize and reorganize county business and liquor

[1:33:03] licensing regulations. Clarify definitions, application requirements,

[1:33:07] enforcement authority, and administrative procedures. Establish

[1:33:11] updated provisions for temporary licenses, temporary seller permits,

[1:33:15] recordkeeping, compliance, and revocation standards. Revise special

[1:33:19] event and alcoholrelated permitting requirements. Authorize the owner or

[1:33:24] operator of a short-term vacation rental to establish a minimum renter age of 25

[1:33:28] years at the owner's discretion subject to applicable identification and notice

[1:33:33] requirements and provide for other matters properly relating there too.

[1:33:37] » May I interrupt before you proceed? >> Sure.

[1:33:41] » Lara Mather for the record. So I just wanted to clarify um in case there's any

[1:33:44] question the language is a little bit different in this recommended motion and

[1:33:48] that's because hopefully it's a very slim chance but there is a chance that

[1:33:52] when we do second reading there might be some recommended changes and that's why

[1:33:55] the language is a little bit different in the motion.

[1:33:58] » Okay, clear with that.

[1:34:02] » Yeah. Well, I mean properly related there too related there too. [laughter]

[1:34:06] » All right.

[1:34:10] There was a motion. >> I'll second.

[1:34:14] » There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[1:34:17] » I. >> I.

[1:34:20] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously. Thank you,

[1:34:22] Laura. >> Thank you.

[1:34:23] » Moving on to item number 13. This discussion for possible action.

[1:34:26] discussion and possible action on submission of a letter of support to the

[1:34:30] Nevada Board of Museum and History for the nomination of Miners Union Hall

[1:34:34] located at 34 North B, Virginia City, Nevada to be placed on the Nevada State

[1:34:39] Register of Historic Places. Sarah, >> uh Sarah starts for the record, just a

[1:34:43] quick note, the address is uh 36 North B Street. So, the staff summary in the

[1:34:49] packet is correct, but I believe what you just read was incorrect. And then

[1:34:52] the motion is incorrect. So if you can just make a note of that.

[1:34:56] » So the Comtock area 523, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles have been working

[1:35:01] hard to get their property miners union hall located at 36 North Bay Street

[1:35:05] nominated to the state register of historic places. The nomination will be

[1:35:09] reviewed by the Nevada Board of Museums and History during their September 11th

[1:35:12] meeting at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City. I believe the uh the

[1:35:16] meeting is going to start at 9:00, but the agenda hasn't been posted yet. Um so

[1:35:20] please keep your eyes out for that just in case that time is not correct. Um,

[1:35:23] and so Audi Robinson, he is an ARY member and he wrote a nice piece on the

[1:35:27] hall that was published in the Comot Chronicle on January 26th this year and

[1:35:31] it's available online to read for free. So I'm just going to give a brief

[1:35:34] overview of his article. So Miners Union Hall was built in 1876 after the

[1:35:39] original was burned down in the great fire of 1875. And the hall became an

[1:35:43] important civic and social space. The ground floor served as an assembly hall

[1:35:47] for meetings, lectures, and events, while the upper floors housed the Miners

[1:35:51] Union Library that was established in 1877.

[1:35:55] By the early 1880s, the library held 2200 volumes and was right widely

[1:35:59] regarded as Virginia City's only public library with reading and chess rooms,

[1:36:04] further supporting the hall's role in community um and education. The

[1:36:09] Comtock's mining industry declined in the late 1870s, as I'm sure we're all

[1:36:12] aware, but the Miners Union Hall remained an active gathering place. In

[1:36:17] 1926, ownership passed to Comtock area 523, Fraternal Order of Eagles,

[1:36:22] continuing the building's institutional and social role. Today, the area meets

[1:36:26] Weekly, maintaining the hall's long tradition as a community gathering

[1:36:29] place. So, I'm not good at math, but they've been operating it since 1926, so

[1:36:33] that's 100 years, so that's pretty amazing. So, Minor's Union Hall is an

[1:36:36] important historic resource, and this is well-deserved recognition for the

[1:36:39] property's historic significance and contribution to Nevada's history. The

[1:36:44] listing of Miners Union Hall on the state register of historic places will

[1:36:48] not place limitations on private property. The state will not attach

[1:36:51] restrictive covenants nor seek to acquire properties as a condition or

[1:36:55] result of the listing. And the property owners are not required to open their

[1:36:59] property to the public. So, for these reasons, I believe it is appropriate to

[1:37:03] request that the commissioner support the nomination and listing of this

[1:37:07] important building by submitting a letter of support. Thank you.

[1:37:11] » Thank you, Sarah. Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments?

[1:37:17] » Vice Chairman, >> I do not either. Thank you.

[1:37:19] » Is there any public comment? Not seeing any. Vice Sherman, you

[1:37:23] prepared to make a motion? >> Yeah. I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to

[1:37:26] approve the submission of a letter of support to the Nevada Board of Museums

[1:37:29] and History for the nomination of the Miners Union Hall located at 36B Street,

[1:37:34] Virginia City, Nevada, to be placed on the Nevada State Register of Historic

[1:37:38] Places.

[1:37:41] » Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those

[1:37:43] in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[1:37:46] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously. Thank you,

[1:37:50] Sarah. On item number 14, this is discussion for possible action.

[1:37:55] Consideration of possible approval of grant of easement file 2026-038

[1:38:01] from Story County to Envy Energy for utility facilities within the Sam Clemen

[1:38:06] Street right ofway in Mark Twain, Story County, Nevada to uh facilitate a home

[1:38:11] build. Kathy, >> uh yes, thank you. So um we've been

[1:38:15] reached out by MB Energy and the property owner that's wanting to develop

[1:38:19] their property. Um the electric electricity is across the street. So

[1:38:23] they're needing an easement to bring that electricity across San Clemens. So

[1:38:28] public works has also reviewed this and county staff and we don't have any

[1:38:32] concerns. >> All right. Thank you Kathy. Commissioner

[1:38:35] Gilman, do you have any questions or comments?

[1:38:39] » Vice Chairman? >> No. Thanks.

[1:38:41] » Is there [snorts] any public comment? >> Not seeing any. Vice Chairman, you

[1:38:45] prepare to make a motion? >> I am. Uh, in accordance with the

[1:38:49] recommendation by staff, I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to approve the grant of

[1:38:51] easement filed 2026-038 from Story County to Envy Energy for

[1:38:57] utility facilities within the Sam Clement Street Ride ofway in Mark Lane

[1:39:00] Story County, Nevada to facilitate a home building.

[1:39:06] » Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those

[1:39:08] in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[1:39:10] » I. I.

[1:39:12] » Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Kathy. On to item number 15. discussion

[1:39:18] for possible action. Consideration and approval of

[1:39:21] modification to the planning department 2627 budget for professional services to

[1:39:26] add a study for alternative uh alternatives update to the Long Valley

[1:39:32] Creek flood hazard mitigation plan assigned budget funds for professional

[1:39:36] services will be altered but no increase in the professional services portion of

[1:39:40] the planning department budget is proposed. Kathy

[1:39:44] » uh thank you. So Kathy Campfield for the record. Um, so staff is requesting that

[1:39:49] we modify the professional services portion of the planning department

[1:39:53] budget to um adjust some of the assigned dollar amounts to some of the different

[1:39:59] projects so that we can add in a Long Valley Creek alternatives update. Um

[1:40:04] what's been happening is we've been working on uh trying to implement the

[1:40:09] Long Valley Creek project that came up and as we're implementing some of these

[1:40:13] we're finding there's some legal pro not problems but legal

[1:40:19] items to work through. There's um uh real estate items to work through.

[1:40:25] There's a lot of different things that when we've when we've the engineers when

[1:40:29] they're designing something weren't really taking into consideration. Um, as

[1:40:34] we've worked through more and more with some of the different property owners,

[1:40:37] um, we've met with Jub Engineering who authored that original um, document and

[1:40:43] we've come up with even some more ideas of some things based on all these other

[1:40:46] discussions that we've had. Um, at the time um, when we were planning doing our

[1:40:51] budgeting process that was back in February [snorts] time period um, this

[1:40:56] is coming out this was like May and June. Um, so we're finding that this was

[1:41:01] something that wasn't necessarily overlooked, but it wasn't something that

[1:41:05] was on our radar that we were going to need to be doing. Um, so staff is

[1:41:09] requesting that we adjust um the planning department budget as it's shown

[1:41:13] on page two of the um staff report [clears throat]

[1:41:18] and um also then we'll move forward with with doing this alternative study with

[1:41:23] JUB. So I'm happy to answer any questions. We've worked with or talked

[1:41:27] with the comp to comp controller, um, public works, emergency management, um,

[1:41:32] the county commissioner's office. There's a lot of different departments

[1:41:35] and pieces that are kind of moving with this, but ultimately we're trying to get

[1:41:40] something that we could truly implement and make the community safer.

[1:41:44] » All right. Thank you, Kathy. Commissioner Gilman, do you have any

[1:41:47] questions or comments?

[1:41:50] » Vice Chairman. >> Um, no. Well, land issues are

[1:41:53] complicated. I'm shocked. I tell you shocked. [laughter]

[1:41:57] » Is there any public comment on this item?

[1:42:00] » Not seeing any vice chairman, are you prepared to make a motion?

[1:42:03] » I am. In accordance with the recommendation by staff, I Commissioner

[1:42:06] Mitchell hereby move to modify the planning department professional

[1:42:09] services budget to include the Long Valley Creek alternative update and to

[1:42:12] modify the budgeted dollar amounts associated with the accessory dwelling

[1:42:16] unit study in the easement acquisition for Long Valley Creek.

[1:42:21] » Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those

[1:42:23] in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[1:42:26] » I. >> I.

[1:42:28] » Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Kathy.

[1:42:31] » Thank you. >> Uh we're going to revisit agenda item

[1:42:34] number 26 at this point. This is discussion for possible action. uh

[1:42:38] updates, discussion, and possible direction to county staff and lobbyists

[1:42:41] regarding Story County's draft bill, regarding economic development and tax

[1:42:45] abatements for the 2027 Nevada Legislature, as well as upcoming bills,

[1:42:49] legislation, and other legislative matters potentially affecting Story

[1:42:52] County. >> All right. Thank you, Chairman Austin

[1:42:56] Oburn, for the record. Also with me is Will Adler for the record, and he'll be

[1:43:01] discussing some things today with regard to what you have in front of you. Uh in

[1:43:05] August the board had looked at our draft BDR and made comments and suggestions.

[1:43:10] Since then our team has gotten together to make those changes. Also had uh

[1:43:15] several meetings with some folks including the department of taxation and

[1:43:19] I know others at the GOAD office and others that might be involved in this to

[1:43:23] try to coordinate and align ourselves and make sure that what we ultimately

[1:43:27] submit uh does have a chance for success in the session. Uh at that time a draft

[1:43:34] has been edited and amended up until last night. Uh so right in front of you

[1:43:40] you have a paper document and so does the public in the back of the room. That

[1:43:45] paper document still has wet ink and it is going to have some of the edits that

[1:43:49] have been made since uh very recently. Mr. Adler is going to come up and walk

[1:43:54] you through all those. And I understand there might be some deliberation that

[1:43:57] might occur at this point to iron this out, get it to what the board is

[1:44:01] satisfied with. And then today is the deadline for submitt to the legislative

[1:44:06] council bureau with which we're quite excited. So I'm going to pass the torch

[1:44:11] over here to Will and be of assistance otherwise. Thank you, Will.

[1:44:15] » Thank you, Austin. Uh Will Adler for the record with Silver State Government

[1:44:18] Relations. I'm your lobbyist, guys. Uh today we're coming back for the third or

[1:44:24] fourth time. uh in this county commission room discussing this

[1:44:27] particular BDR looking towards the 2027 legislature. As Austin said, we actually

[1:44:32] have to submit this today, September 1st. So, per usual, Story County is

[1:44:37] bringing it down the wire up in the drama, right? We can't just do things

[1:44:40] normal. We have to to do it here and now. This is it, guys. But uh really the

[1:44:45] the premise of the bill started as as a pretty pretty broad one and a good one,

[1:44:48] which is we are the receivers of and maybe the beneficiaries of the Nevada

[1:44:53] State Abatement Program more so than anyone else in the the state. We

[1:44:57] understand it better. We've had more of them and we've completed the biggest of

[1:45:00] them. We have Tesla 1, 2, and Redwood nowadays. So it is one where we've had

[1:45:05] success last year with SB69 and we sort of labeled ourselves as the experts in

[1:45:10] this space because not a lot of other people have this knowledge or have to go

[1:45:14] through this. But to summarize this, the bill itself is one where we called it

[1:45:18] the omniabatement bill because we cover all of chapter 360 which is known as the

[1:45:23] abatement bill and then the the tax provisions around that. Uh but to

[1:45:27] explain the draft in front of you, maybe the the the funniest part is the side

[1:45:31] note or something that we've brought up secondarily of, you know, we shouldn't

[1:45:34] actually look at having tax abatements where data centers are located on

[1:45:38] federal land. Today, now they'll have a quicker change process. It actually gets

[1:45:42] around the special use permit for most local governments and they they're the

[1:45:46] beneficiary of the the federal policy to build them there. Why would Nevada abate

[1:45:50] them there? Right? So I think that's actually has become a big premise of the

[1:45:54] bill is where do we actually want to abate and where do we not see benefits

[1:45:57] abating as neatans. Uh and as such section one of the bill does prevent the

[1:46:02] abatements or granting of abatements in all federal land but as such we actually

[1:46:07] have to cite that section or that change throughout the entirety of the language.

[1:46:11] So you'll see sort of this reference to banning of federal land or reference

[1:46:15] section one brought up for almost the entirety of this bill. So a lot a lot of

[1:46:19] sections and chunks are kind of secondary. I would say the major

[1:46:22] sections are section four where we actually look at data centers today what

[1:46:26] those abatements are and kind of use our own history and the the words on the

[1:46:31] page today and say is that reflect data centers we see today. Uh to date uh

[1:46:36] we're not seeing data centers coming in at $25 million anymore. In fact probably

[1:46:40] the lightest dollar amount we see is about $50 million or more. So we're

[1:46:44] actually upping the total dollar amounts 25 to 50, 100 to 200 million. That theme

[1:46:50] continues throughout this bill kind of it in its entirety. So in in most

[1:46:54] provisions and sections we we also said the same thing. We have a good program

[1:46:59] but is it sort of the right length andor the right you know volume of program. So

[1:47:04] we we kind of assessed the whole thing where we have 10 years we kind of said

[1:47:08] 10 years is a long time let's cut it down to five. Where we have 20 years

[1:47:12] let's put it at 10. This actually puts it within the realm of one elected

[1:47:16] officials jurisdiction or timeline with a county. Even your term limited 12

[1:47:20] years, you might not even see the end of an abatement that you approve or you

[1:47:24] won't literally today because they are 10 and 20 years out. This kind of is is

[1:47:28] our own reflections and updates, but it actually gives the the abatement bill a

[1:47:32] lot of teeth and saying do not throw that baby out with the bathwater. Look

[1:47:36] at that baby and assess it and say, "Hey, you know, maybe it's more

[1:47:39] vegetables. This baby will be fine." Right? that that's where we're at with

[1:47:42] the abatement program as a whole story county looking at it but to to color

[1:47:47] this uh data centers are reflected differently in other people's bill

[1:47:51] drafts to date we've heard that the revenue committee is bringing forward so

[1:47:54] as we know that the interim committees of Nevada the Senate and the Assembly

[1:47:58] has signed sort of the same committees in the interim the interim revenue

[1:48:01] committee of assembly and senators have declared one of their bills will to

[1:48:05] bring forth a moratorum on data center abatements the continuation of data

[1:48:09] center abatements that are kind of in the pipeline and just moratorium on data

[1:48:13] centers in one bill. We want to reflect that there is abatements, yes, but

[1:48:18] there's benefits to them and modifications really are what this

[1:48:22] program needs, not a full cut. To continue that, uh, we do want to say, is

[1:48:28] there more we could do to assess the abments we have? Section five is

[1:48:31] actually the section I would think is most optional andor something that we

[1:48:36] want to assess most closely. That's where we actually are looking at the

[1:48:39] auditing of or sort of the timelines we audit you know abatements today to date

[1:48:44] they they check in kind of at their two-year mark and they say we've begun

[1:48:48] we now have to have healthcare going that's sort of when they have to have

[1:48:50] healthc care assigned by and then the department of taxation actually audits

[1:48:55] them for compliance health care jobs and sort of general numbers that they put

[1:48:59] forward in their abatement category and they they conclude that at five years

[1:49:03] and they say two years fiveyear assessment we we kind of looked at the

[1:49:07] whole of this and we said if we're upping our abatements from 5 to 10 years

[1:49:10] should the the audit also be 5 to 10 years? Th this is one where we actually

[1:49:14] talked to the department of taxation and they they said they're they're actually

[1:49:17] auditing people today when they find a a you know person not in compliance they

[1:49:22] actually pull the abatements to date. If somebody doesn't pay for health care,

[1:49:26] somebody doesn't have the right jobs numbers, they they they actually say

[1:49:28] they have a pretty good track record of addressing that. As such this might be

[1:49:32] something that I feel is you know secondary or optional because it's done

[1:49:35] today. But we do have this idea of data centers use too much power and they use

[1:49:40] too much water. But is that something that you know we want to audit in this

[1:49:44] bill and that's where I I kind of say maybe not because to date uh I think

[1:49:48] people are kind of wholly unaware of how government works. But you can't actually

[1:49:52] start most buildings without an air permit and a wastewater permit here in

[1:49:57] Nevada. if it's new, if they're building it, DCNR,

[1:50:02] Department of Conservation, Natural Resources, actually is the the regulator

[1:50:06] of basically what's wet and what's shocking in Nevada. So, I I do think if

[1:50:11] we did include this, it might actually string us into grabbing more chapters of

[1:50:15] law, more NRS, and weighing down the bill a little. And secondarily, it it

[1:50:19] will cause a fiscal note. If you're doing something new, if you have new

[1:50:22] audits, things like that, it it will cause a cost and some weight to it. So I

[1:50:26] think it has great value to sort of say we want to update the audits or look at

[1:50:30] those with what we're also doing. But I also think today and now that might be

[1:50:34] for someone else to bring forward. The governor himself has said he wants to

[1:50:37] assess the power in the water. If it has a fiscal note attached to it, the number

[1:50:41] one way to pass that bill is have the governor's name on it. I've learned

[1:50:45] that. So that that's where I think that that's maybe the riskiest section. But

[1:50:49] the rest of it actually is all-encompassing goes well. Noticing is

[1:50:52] it's kind of simple in section six. Section seven. We we we sort of just

[1:50:56] again click click click through all the federal land provisions but the

[1:51:00] timelines are updated again. We do want it for you know personal property taxes.

[1:51:05] Same thing reasonable 10 years goes to five 20 goes to 10. So and then the

[1:51:11] final one that's really kind of more encompassing or something that is there

[1:51:14] for what we've seen as a county on the ground working but not wholly applied is

[1:51:21] section 12 is where you actually have sales and use tax abatements. how

[1:51:25] contractors are able to apply those and use those has blended well with a larger

[1:51:29] operation like Tesla and Panasonic you can colllocate you can have at different

[1:51:33] operations and continual growth but with some data centers and other contractors

[1:51:37] they're using they're buying things on the front end because they have to

[1:51:41] honestly if you're going to power something you had to buy your

[1:51:44] transformers about four years ago some contractors are able to to bring this

[1:51:48] forward but not actually be under the same tax abatement it's very very sort

[1:51:51] of niche tax policy but hearing from those in the park and others. This would

[1:51:55] be a great provision to bring forward, but it would be one we we'd have to say

[1:51:59] this is for others to explain, right? If that that collocation is going to be the

[1:52:03] benefit of the contractor and the abatement holder, we need them to

[1:52:08] actually come to the table and defend it. It's us to bring it forward and say

[1:52:10] this is an update that would work, but we think that'll bring out a lot of the

[1:52:13] abatementes. Goed, >> what's Edon called now?

[1:52:19] » Northern >> that disrupted my whole speech. Ed on

[1:52:22] and NNDA. So I I think that's where we'll get the the co coalition of folks

[1:52:27] who actually know abatements and talk about what they're hearing on the ground

[1:52:30] to to come forward is things like section 12. So overall I've talked too

[1:52:34] much. This is a big bill. It has a a multicompassing omnibatement features to

[1:52:39] it. But really I think there's there's sort of a question of you know we want

[1:52:43] to touch abatements and and educate everyone and make them look at each

[1:52:46] section but maybe we don't uh need the audit section. I'll point out just

[1:52:50] because I I do fear a fiscal note and I I do want to make sure we're we're doing

[1:52:55] something that's as unimpeachably, you know, neutral and and talk about the

[1:53:01] subject as a whole and not, you know, leaning on something where someone might

[1:53:04] say, "I already got audited at year five. If this passes, do I get audited

[1:53:08] again in year 10?" And then we just, you know, have to explain the niches. That

[1:53:13] really isn't the point is we just want the whole being updated. That's my

[1:53:17] speech. Thank you very much. Uh any questions or conversation? I'd love to

[1:53:21] continue right here. Thank you.

[1:53:25] » All right. Thanks, Will. Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or

[1:53:28] comments at this time? >> Not at this time.

[1:53:33] » Vice Chairman, >> um I I I do want to really uh compliment

[1:53:39] the team on, you know, pounding through this, really thinking it through. Um, I

[1:53:45] think there is, you know, Will makes a great point. There is a a decision to be

[1:53:49] made about this this audit function. The thinking the thinking and including it

[1:53:54] originally was that one of the complaints is that there's not um the

[1:53:59] level of transparency around compliance, resource usage,

[1:54:05] economic benefits, and those kind of things from those that avail themselves

[1:54:10] of the of the component of the program. And so that was our thinking in

[1:54:15] including this audit component. That being said, you got to get a bill across

[1:54:19] the finish line. And so the the question is, does that introduce an element that

[1:54:24] will create push back? Um or is it valuable enough on the flip

[1:54:30] side in creating that transparency that other people are going to say, "Yeah,

[1:54:35] that's the direction we should be moving and enthusiastically back it." And uh

[1:54:39] and as will mentioned, there are potentially other sources of bills that

[1:54:43] may be able to address that piece. Uh we did also in the latest revision of that

[1:54:48] audit piece, we did give permission >> for the um the office of economic

[1:54:57] development who is kind of being tasked with this to

[1:55:01] hire a third party, qualified accounting firm or someone to come in and do that

[1:55:08] as opposed to putting that directly on the backs of state employees. And so a

[1:55:14] fiscal note represents a direct cost to an agency typically. And that's that's

[1:55:19] what can often cause some headwinds for a bill. And so that was an effort to

[1:55:24] mitigate that to say, "Hey, we're not going to put a a big new burden on the

[1:55:28] Department of Taxation or some other state agency, but that they could use

[1:55:33] third parties and and potentially I don't I don't remember if we put this in

[1:55:36] here or not, but potentially it's paid for by the abated company um that to

[1:55:41] gather that information." And one of the other things that surfaced as we talked

[1:55:45] to different agencies was the potential that the perceived lack of transparency

[1:55:52] or the lack of reporting may not be that it that auditing is not being done. It

[1:55:57] may just be that it's not being well communicated back to the public. And so

[1:56:02] we were assured that compliance is is being assured by Department of Taxation.

[1:56:07] And then eventually the results of that shows up in a byian annual report of

[1:56:11] goad.

[1:56:27] » Thank you for that moment of not silence. Please continue.

[1:56:31] » Yeah. Go ahead.

[1:56:33] » Hopefully it's not a moment of silence for

[1:56:36] » [laughter] >> Um so so there was a thought that

[1:56:40] potentially we could achieve greater transparency or greater disclosure

[1:56:45] simply by some administrative adjustments internally within the the

[1:56:48] the groups that deal with this information

[1:56:52] as opposed to creating a statutory requirement for an audit of five years

[1:56:57] an audit of 10 years which doesn't currently exist.

[1:57:00] » So that's that's kind of one of the decisions that we need to make. Um, I

[1:57:05] feel very confident with the other parts of the bill. There may be continued

[1:57:08] conversation between us submitting and getting to the beginning of session or

[1:57:13] we may need to massage things. Uh, but that's that's the big decision I would

[1:57:17] say that needs needs to be made today is do we yank that piece? Do we leave it in

[1:57:21] there? >> Okay.

[1:57:26] » Austin, do you have anything to add? >> I think it's our team pretty well.

[1:57:30] » All right. Yep. Uh, Commissioner Gman, do you have any questions or comments?

[1:57:38] » Appreciate the explanation from that

[1:57:44] understand. >> Yep.

[1:57:47] Um, is there any public comment? All right. Um, I'm in agreement. I mean,

[1:57:53] I I understand the logic, but I think it'll be easier to, you know, probably

[1:57:57] get across the finish line without those additional requirements.

[1:58:02] So, um, what other direction do you guys need?

[1:58:06] » Well, I I will add there for the record. I'm not sure if you do that every time

[1:58:10] here, but, um, I I think I'll color the the commentary a little bit. So, we have

[1:58:14] to submit the bill today to LCB. the Legislative Council Bureau will draft

[1:58:18] this out and they might even tell us by the way guys that this is in not in

[1:58:25] compliance with the single subject bill. So that that's where audit might be that

[1:58:29] second tier of it where we're saying abatements abatements and then you know

[1:58:32] physical auditing of abatements actually is like a subtopic, right? Because it

[1:58:36] does hit another tax chapter. So technically we don't know. So we're

[1:58:40] we're going to submit this draft as we see it. it comes back and then as it's

[1:58:44] written by them matters to me frankly more than how I wrote it to them. So

[1:58:50] when we we see the impact or what happens, there will probably be 10 more

[1:58:54] sections or subsections or pages to this bill where we will have a downstream

[1:58:59] impact. And truly then as a as a commission and as as a team, we'll

[1:59:03] assess what's there, what's not, and we can actually say at that point, this

[1:59:07] looks good, this doesn't, or this this really hit what we wanted to hit. Ask

[1:59:10] for a reddraft. But when we get that reddraft back, that's where we can say

[1:59:14] actually we want to take this part out of the bill. We do do not like it. So

[1:59:18] really at this moment there isn't a lot of harm saying we want to go forward and

[1:59:21] look what this you know how's this look what's this audit language you know come

[1:59:25] together like and we can even talk to you know department of taxation and

[1:59:29] others and say what do you think this would cost to actually implement right

[1:59:32] and then at that time we can make a more educated informed decision uh and then

[1:59:36] we could actually you know take it out of the bill prior to its introduction uh

[1:59:40] to the legislature because it really gets introduced when the legislature

[1:59:43] goes live come January next year it sort of comes alive in 2027. So, this is not

[1:59:49] the end of the conversation, just maybe the furtherance of, you know, where

[1:59:54] where this bill ends up. We we we will give I will give you your transparent

[1:59:58] advice uh when we get it back from LCB whether I think something would be an

[2:00:02] anchor and hold it down or whether it it looks like it'll it'll come out fine.

[2:00:06] So, I think, you know, let's put it forward as it is today. It looks like

[2:00:10] good guidance. It looks wholly encompassing where we're not just asking

[2:00:13] for babies to get a little modified. we actually want to make sure that there's

[2:00:17] some some transparency on them as a whole. Be that something that ends up in

[2:00:21] say a governor's bill or something else. We might take it out of our bill

[2:00:25] anyways, right? But we still have some flexibility. This isn't uh you know a

[2:00:29] handcuff, but I I think it's a very well positioned bill and we've had a great

[2:00:32] discussion on it so people know why we're doing it and where we're coming

[2:00:34] from. So I feel comfortable kind of going forward.

[2:00:37] » So Mr. Chairman, if I can suggest maybe that we put on the record that we have

[2:00:41] some flexibility >> Yeah. on on that that maybe we'll submit

[2:00:45] it as is. >> Okay.

[2:00:46] » That we're not absolutely tied to having it in there that we'll consult and see

[2:00:50] what we get back from LCB. Okay. >> And then if it feels like the right move

[2:00:54] that we can modify, soft and remove at a future date.

[2:00:57] » Okay, that works. >> Is that comfortable enough? We see if uh

[2:01:01] Commissioner Gilman has thoughts on that approach.

[2:01:04] » Commissioner Gilman, do you have anything at this time?

[2:01:06] » There might be one point of order too. >> I'm 100%.

[2:01:12] Okay, >> I'm Austin Husband for the record. So, I

[2:01:16] just want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly. So, we came to the

[2:01:21] proposal to go ahead and move forward with a bill as it's proposed in front of

[2:01:24] you with the removal of section five, the auditing elements. I think Mr. Adler

[2:01:29] articulated it quite well the reasons why and Commissioner Mitchell also

[2:01:33] articulated the reasons why it ultimately ended up in there and why we

[2:01:37] consider removing but I'm not quite sure I understand the motion at this point

[2:01:41] after the last statement. >> Okay, good. I'm glad I'm not the only

[2:01:45] one. >> So, are we leaving the bill as is with

[2:01:48] the with the the checks in there or are we

[2:01:52] taking it out now? It is my recommendation, Austin Osbbor,

[2:01:57] for the record, uh, with the conversations we've had. I think there's

[2:02:00] good arguments on both sides of that, um, that we don't go in with section

[2:02:05] five or element five with the audit. Everything else and the bill move

[2:02:09] forward as it is. It's just my recommendation. I believe that was

[2:02:12] articulated at most of the discussion prior to what I'm saying now, but it is

[2:02:17] ultimately up to the board. It does sound like to me in this conversation,

[2:02:21] if I'm right, uh that some auditing elements are being looked at by the

[2:02:25] governor's office, governor's office of economic development, others at the

[2:02:29] state that are putting together their own bills and that auditing might be

[2:02:33] addressed. It also looks like, if I'm correct, and please correct me if I'm

[2:02:37] wrong, uh that uh Commissioner Mitchell mentioned that there is an element in

[2:02:41] our bill that allows GOED to have a third party review, go through those

[2:02:46] things and make sure everything's where they want it, and it gives them some

[2:02:50] discretion without this bill going into LCB with something that may be overly

[2:02:55] complex. I appreciate you at least hearing me on

[2:02:58] that. >> Sure. Yeah, I I think if I can clarify

[2:03:01] my comments, I'm I'm quite sure that that's in the auditing section. Um,

[2:03:05] which was meant to soften the auditing section. So, if we take it out, that no

[2:03:10] longer is even proposed that that there could be a third party or or another way

[2:03:15] to look at this. So, I I I'll state very clearly where I'm at. I I believe if we

[2:03:20] get rid of the auditing section, we um we don't bring up a subject that we may

[2:03:26] have the ability to get rid of later. >> Okay? If we take it out now then then uh

[2:03:32] I believe there is risk on the flip side which is those who say I might be okay

[2:03:40] with this if there was better accountability right we're trying to

[2:03:43] build consensus behind the idea and if we take out the auditing section

[2:03:47] completely um and we may not and maybe the governor brings that maybe he

[2:03:53] doesn't but uh we're our bill is silent on that and so my recommendation would

[2:03:58] be to leave it in but with the understanding that we are not

[2:04:02] necessarily tied to it. So then we we say this is the goal is to to LCB what

[2:04:09] we're trying to accomplish is greater transparency and accountability and they

[2:04:13] may say sorry you can't do that in this bill single subject or you can't do or

[2:04:19] whatever it is we talked to we talked to the other stakeholders as well they say

[2:04:23] we're going to put a massive fiscal note on that so then we can drop that before

[2:04:27] we get to the legislature. So that's that's my recommendation is

[2:04:31] » okay. So leave it intact and we can take it out if necessary later.

[2:04:35] » That's my feel >> and and LCB can can at least analyze

[2:04:38] everything and tell us like you said there's a potential fiscal note or there

[2:04:41] is a fiscal note or >> Okay.

[2:04:44] » Yeah. Which is which is the opposite of county manager's recommendation just to

[2:04:48] be >> correct. Correct. Okay. All right.

[2:04:51] Commissioner Gilman, are you clear on that?

[2:04:56] » Yes. >> All right. Is there any public comment?

[2:05:01] » Are you prepared to make a motion? >> I am. There's there's one other thing

[2:05:04] that I'd like to give the flexibility to look at. Uh not a direction to do for

[2:05:09] sure, but there's one section of the bill where we act pretty eloquent and it

[2:05:13] has to do with if someone needs a waiver to the requirement that 50% of the

[2:05:18] construction workers are Neadans. And it's it's pretty long and detailed

[2:05:24] and it creates kind of a big process and I'm wondering if uh we may not have the

[2:05:30] time between now and submission later today. But I'd like to, if it's all

[2:05:34] right, get the board's permission to look at that and if there's an efficient

[2:05:38] way to maybe streamline that down and make it just a little more clear because

[2:05:42] as I was reading through it, it's like there's all sorts of well, you have to

[2:05:46] show proof and you have to do this and you have to say you've done that and

[2:05:49] then you can get a waiver and you can employ fewer Neadans. And there's

[2:05:53] already that element in the law. We just created a much more kind of

[2:05:57] comprehensive way to do it which may have pros and cons. And I think that if

[2:06:01] that if it's okay to have a final check on that and authorize uh our team to to

[2:06:06] just either shrink it down to something more concise or leave it the way it is

[2:06:11] based on if we feel we can do it justice in the next couple hours.

[2:06:14] » Okay. >> Is that something that works? I'm

[2:06:18] comfortable. Y >> and I believe for reference uh I believe

[2:06:23] that is in section four.

[2:06:28] um subsection 12 I believe is where it

[2:06:33] starts, but we'll take a look at that. So, other other than that, I I think

[2:06:37] we're pretty pretty darn close to prime time ready for prime time on this.

[2:06:41] » All right. Um are you prepared to make a motion?

[2:06:45] » I can. >> Okay.

[2:06:48] Except I am out of order because we did it out of order.

[2:06:55] 62. >> Thank you.

[2:07:00] » 628 maybe.

[2:07:06] » 628. >> Thank you.

[2:07:10] » All right. Um I Commissioner Mitchell move to direct.

[2:07:15] Did we take public comment? >> Yep.

[2:07:18] » Did >> I did?

[2:07:19] » Um I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to direct county staff and lobbyists to

[2:07:23] represent Story County on known BDRs, bills, and other potential legislation

[2:07:27] affecting Story County as follows. to submit by the filing deadline our final

[2:07:32] draft of the uh what we affectionately refer to as the omni baitment BDR to um

[2:07:40] retain the section about um audits with the understanding that it

[2:07:47] may be removed at a later time [snorts] and uh to authorize staff to massage

[2:07:51] wording on that section as well as on the section about waiverss for the

[2:07:56] Nevada employee requirements before submitt

[2:08:02] There's a motion. Do we have a second?

[2:08:07] » Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those

[2:08:10] in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[2:08:12] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously. Thank you,

[2:08:18] Will. Thank you, Austin. >> Uh, Mr. Mr. Chair, Before we close this

[2:08:21] item, I just wanted to make the commission aware the uh state historic

[2:08:27] preservation office has informed us that they submitted a bill uh and we've asked

[2:08:32] them for a copy of it that may have some some sort of impact around the historic

[2:08:36] district. >> So, we don't know we don't yet know what

[2:08:38] it is. We've asked them for a copy so we can see what uh what what that may say

[2:08:42] and we'll we'll bring it back under this item in the future.

[2:08:45] » All right. Great. Um, I'm going to ask we just take a short break before moving

[2:08:48] on to item number 16. >> Public lobbyist comment. We'll add for

[2:08:53] the record. There are several bills that have actually been announced or sort of

[2:08:56] have their titles out and I have a good tracker of them going uh post this we

[2:09:01] could actually do sort of a you know looking at the field uh legislative

[2:09:05] bills and BDRs what's what's coming to the legislature and that that is one of

[2:09:10] them on the list. So, I that reminds me uh if needed, I'd be glad to present

[2:09:15] that to you all. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. All right, we're going to

[2:09:18] recess. It's 12:13. We'll be back in a couple minutes.

[2:10:00] I

[2:10:04] Democrat Latino Central.

[2:10:52] Yeah, that's what I really want.

[2:11:10] All right.

[2:11:17] Perfect.

[2:12:00] Yeah.

[2:12:11] » Yes. No.

[2:12:30] All right.

[2:13:01] I can't Speech. Speech. Speech.

[2:14:26] That's

[2:14:36] What's your idea?

[2:14:59] forward

[2:15:41] Let's think about that.

[2:15:58] That's really hot, you know.

[2:16:26] very

[2:17:13] That's right.

[2:17:48] Sorry.

[2:18:34] I order this

[2:18:49] What if we did?

[2:19:03] Last time

[2:19:26] we'll

[2:19:37] It's awkward.

[2:20:12] That's right.

[2:20:22] Any

[2:20:26] questions?

[2:20:57] forunately.

[2:21:13] Apple

[2:21:45] Stick around. Yeah.

[2:21:50] Yeah.

[2:21:56] » All right. It's 12:26. We're going to go ahead and reconvene.

[2:22:04] » Yeah. I'm waiting for the Commissioner Gilman. You ready to go?

[2:22:10] » Thank you. All right. All right, we're on to item

[2:22:14] number 16, which is to recess to convene as Story County Highway Board. Bringing

[2:22:18] us item number 17. Discussion only uh report of public works department

[2:22:23] regarding roads and highways throughout Story County.

[2:22:32] » Good afternoon, chairman, commissioners. Jason Warsiki for the record. Just a

[2:22:36] couple quick updates. Um, I met with the LCC

[2:22:41] uh yesterday morning to go over some uh drainage

[2:22:45] uh questions before I meet with the engineer uh tomorrow morning at 9:30 to

[2:22:50] [snorts] address some drainage and uh hopefully figure out how we can

[2:22:54] remediate uh Lockwood Lake at the bottom of Canyon Way and in Perry Ranch and uh

[2:23:01] take care of some upper drainage as well and uh get all that wrapped up so we can

[2:23:06] pave So, I want to address all the drainage

[2:23:09] issues before we pave so we're not throwing money away.

[2:23:13] » A lake. >> What's that?

[2:23:14] » There's a lake. >> Uh, there can be.

[2:23:16] » Okay. >> At certain certain storms. [laughter]

[2:23:20] » Does Endown know? They'll want to throw some trout in there.

[2:23:24] » Yeah, that's what the the residents have nicknamed that uh Lockwood Lake. So,

[2:23:29] during during different thunderstorms. >> All right. Uh another note uh we were uh

[2:23:34] successfully worked with SNC on the railroad crossing at Walam by Wild

[2:23:40] Horse. We were able to remove that failed slot drain u and repave

[2:23:47] everything and that transition's really really nice at this point in time and

[2:23:51] not hammering the railroad crossing anymore from the way to the trucks

[2:23:55] bouncing and >> smooth as the horse guards on 341. Uh

[2:24:01] it's >> pretty close.

[2:24:02] » Yeah, pretty close. >> All right.

[2:24:03] » Yeah, we'll >> check it out.

[2:24:04] » Yeah, thank you. >> And uh we're well underway on the uh

[2:24:08] road rehab project down in Mark Twain. Uh we've uh ran into a couple armchair

[2:24:14] quarterbacks uh their opposition yesterday and that

[2:24:19] was kind of interesting. But uh we're full steam ahead on uh some drainage

[2:24:24] improvements and get ready to start chewing up some road to lay some new

[2:24:28] ones. >> All right. You know, you guys aren't

[2:24:30] having any hostility problems down there.

[2:24:32] » That was yesterday. >> Okay. Sheriff's office notified or

[2:24:35] » uh not yet. >> Okay. You guys safe out there?

[2:24:38] » Yeah. So, that's all I have at this point in time.

[2:24:42] » All right. Thank you, Commissioner Gilman. Do you have any questions?

[2:24:48] » All right. Vice Chairman. >> Uh, no. Thanks for the report, please.

[2:24:51] » Yeah. Thank you. Thanks for your work out there. Mhm.

[2:24:54] » On item number 18 is to recess to convene the story county uh fire

[2:24:58] protection district board. Bringing us to item number 19, which is discussion

[2:25:03] for possible action, consideration, and possible approval of an unbudgeted

[2:25:06] capital fund expense in the amount of uh $1,241,885

[2:25:12] to purchase a all-wheel drive type 1 fire engine for station 71. Chief

[2:25:18] Bob Riser, fire chief. For the record, back in 2024, we uh determined that we

[2:25:24] were long past due to purchase a new type 1 fire engine for here in Virginia

[2:25:29] City. The original determination was to get a four-wheel drive engine. Um so we

[2:25:36] put that on order. The challenge of the fire service is that's 48 months minimum

[2:25:40] to get that piece of apparatus. So sometime by the end of 2028, we would

[2:25:46] have that engine. In speaking to the Pierce sales rep um

[2:25:53] about two months ago, he gave us an alternative option which was an

[2:25:57] all-wheel drive engine which would match the two that we recently ordered that

[2:26:01] you approved uh last month. Um, it would be matching in nearly every function

[2:26:06] except for the fact that it would be an all-wheel drive and it would come in at

[2:26:10] about 12 to 14 months sooner than the four-wheel drive engine. Um, the

[2:26:16] difference in price would be the $41,885.

[2:26:22] So, for the the rate at which they've been increasing in cost and the fact

[2:26:26] that they don't even have a VIN for the one that we were going to get at the end

[2:26:30] of 2028, um made the determination that I think

[2:26:34] it's in the district's best interest and the community's best interest to modify

[2:26:39] from the 4x4 to the all-wheel drive and get it sooner and just um incur the

[2:26:44] additional 41,885

[2:26:48] with not expecting to have that apparatus. uh come in until 2028. We

[2:26:53] didn't put it on this year's budget as a funded expense. The money was already

[2:26:57] set aside. However, we didn't do that. So, they're requesting to

[2:27:02] transition that original 1.2 plus the additional 41,885

[2:27:07] into this year's budget for the expense and sign the contract for the purchase

[2:27:11] of that all-wheel drive type one. >> Okay.

[2:27:16] Uh thank you, Fire Commissioner Gilman. Do you have any questions or comments?

[2:27:24] Fire Commissioner Mitchell. >> Uh Chief, can you just briefly talk

[2:27:27] about any sort of implications of the difference between four-wheel drive,

[2:27:30] all-wheel drive units? >> Um the the biggest difference that we

[2:27:35] see is the all-wheel drive unit sits lower at almost a normal two- wheelel

[2:27:40] drive engine height, which decreases the safety issues that we see with personnel

[2:27:44] trying to climb in and out of them. Um so from a workcom standpoint, I'm

[2:27:48] excited about that. uh pulling hose, the hose beds sit lower as well. So that

[2:27:54] increases the the safety factor. The all-wheel drive, when we started doing

[2:27:58] some comparison studies with neighbors that are using them in high elevation

[2:28:02] climates as well, like Veil, Colorado, they don't have any four-wheel drive.

[2:28:06] They only have all-wheel drive and they operate in a significantly heavier snow

[2:28:10] load than we consistently do, give or take, you know, 2023 and other various

[2:28:16] years. Um, so overall they tend to operate better. The all-wheel drive

[2:28:22] kicks out at 17 miles an hour and goes back into a two- wheelel drive, rear

[2:28:27] wheel drive mode. The expectation and recommendation from

[2:28:32] Pierce is still to put chains on the rear drive wheels to make sure that

[2:28:37] we're not having any traction or stability issues with that. But overall,

[2:28:42] the amount of time that we would have to put chains on or not um is relatively

[2:28:48] insignificant. So the the operational standpoint, the

[2:28:52] mechanic has also said he'd prefer it to be an all-wheel drive because they're

[2:28:55] easier to maintain. >> Thank you.

[2:29:00] » Uh I was going to ask a similar question, but you touched on something

[2:29:04] with your answer. So, you're telling me after 17 miles an hour, it automatically

[2:29:08] goes back to two wheel drive? >> Kicks back out to two wheel drive.

[2:29:12] » That That feels dangerous for some reason.

[2:29:17] » Well, my concern is if the firefighters during conditions when they need to be

[2:29:22] » right >> in that uh should not be operating at

[2:29:26] speeds really exceeding that. >> Okay.

[2:29:28] » In general, and it will still have the chains on it.

[2:29:31] » Gotcha. if the need arises for that. But there are multiple opportunities where

[2:29:36] the all-wheel drive will be sufficient to move around, whether it's Virginia

[2:29:40] City, Gold Hill, driving down Six Mile Canyon, especially in inclement

[2:29:45] conditions. We're trying to get them to slow down, not give them a vehicle that

[2:29:48] makes them feel confident to drive even faster.

[2:29:52] » Yeah. Okay. Uh and there's no auto chain setup for those firet trucks or they

[2:29:55] don't work well with that. Um, auto chains work really well if you don't

[2:29:59] have any snow on the ground and you only have icy conditions

[2:30:02] » because they tend to to hang up. >> Got

[2:30:05] » and if the wheel isn't already spinning to get the chain to go under the wheel,

[2:30:09] » they're not very effective. >> Nice. Okay. Just curious.

[2:30:12] » Yeah. >> All right. Uh, thank you. Is there any

[2:30:15] public comment on this item? >> Not seeing any. Vice Chairman, you

[2:30:19] prepare to make a motion? >> Yeah. I fire Commissioner Mitchell move

[2:30:22] to approve the unbudgeted capital fund expense in the amount of 1,241,885

[2:30:30] for the purchase of a type one fire engine for station 71.

[2:30:37] » There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[2:30:40] » I. >> I.

[2:30:42] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously. On to item

[2:30:45] number 20, which is discussion for possible action. Consideration and

[2:30:48] possible approval of an unbudgeted capital expense, capital fund expense

[2:30:52] not to exceed 25,000 for the purchase and outfitting of a passenger van

[2:30:56] [clears throat] for the fire district. Chief, uh Bob Razer, fire chief. Again,

[2:31:00] for the record, um the district at one point owned two different

[2:31:05] multi-passenger vans and we didn't have a lot of utilization of them. they ended

[2:31:10] up being sent to different departments within the

[2:31:14] county. And now one of the things that we're finding is we have our our new six

[2:31:19] cadet academy which is phenomenal for us which also necessitates two uh training

[2:31:27] officers to get them around to the locations we need. is currently taking

[2:31:32] three vehicles um between their gear and everything

[2:31:36] else that uh they take around with them. So, we're asking for authorization to

[2:31:43] purchase uh a passenger van again. We see obviously the academy utilization of

[2:31:48] it, but we're sending enough people to classes where they're taking their gear

[2:31:52] with them, and it's a lesser expense to put them in an agency-owned vehicle to

[2:31:57] send them out than to to put them on an airplane. and if we're sending them with

[2:32:02] their structure gear and their airpacks. Uh air packs are considered a hazmat

[2:32:07] when sent on an airplane. So it uh creates some real challenges for us when

[2:32:12] we're sending personnel out. But if we have the ability to put them in a

[2:32:16] vehicle, it makes it a little easier for us to do that. The mechanic has uh

[2:32:21] already found one that he really likes and is comfortable with at the GMC

[2:32:26] dealer down in Reno and they actually came in at under

[2:32:33] under price of what they had originally listed to go to the fire district. So I

[2:32:38] am confident that we can find an appropriate vehicle under that $25,000

[2:32:42] expense. >> All right. Uh fire commissioner Gilman,

[2:32:47] do you have any questions or comments? No, thank you.

[2:32:51] » Commissioner Mitchell, >> no. Thank you.

[2:32:54] » Public comment.

[2:32:57] » Fire Commissioner Mitchell, you prepare to make a motion?

[2:33:00] » Yeah. I, Fire Commissioner Mitchell, move to approve the unbudgeted capital

[2:33:03] fund expense not to exceed $25,000 for the purchase and outfitting of a

[2:33:08] passenger van for the fire district. >> There's a motion and a second. All those

[2:33:14] in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[2:33:16] » I. I

[2:33:19] » motion passes unanimously. Thanks, Chief.

[2:33:22] » Thank you. >> On item number 21, discussion for

[2:33:25] possible action, consideration and possible approval of the annual review

[2:33:28] and evaluation of the performance of Bob Riser, fire chief for the time period of

[2:33:32] August 25, 2025 through August 24, 2026. Brandy,

[2:33:39] » good afternoon, commissioners. Brandy Lopez for the record. Today, the board

[2:33:42] will conduct the annual performance evaluation of Chief Bob Riser. As part

[2:33:46] of the board's evaluation process, the board may discuss Chief Riser's

[2:33:50] character, professional competence, overall performance, and the duties and

[2:33:55] responsibilities associated with his position. In conducting the evaluation,

[2:33:59] the board may consider the chief's job description, assigned responsibilities,

[2:34:04] his self-evaluation, and any other matters relevant to this agenda item.

[2:34:08] Chief Riser has completed a self-evaluation, which is included in

[2:34:13] your agenda packet. He is present today and will have the opportunity to provide

[2:34:17] any additional information or respond to any matters relating to his character,

[2:34:21] alleged misconduct, professional competence, or physical or mental

[2:34:25] health. Following the performance of the evaluation, the board may at its

[2:34:30] discretion modify Chief Riser's goals and objectives, determine whether to

[2:34:34] approve a merit increase, bonus, or other compensation adjustment, take

[2:34:39] adverse administrative action up into including termination, or take any other

[2:34:43] action the board deems appropriate. If the board determines the Chief Riser's

[2:34:48] performance is satisfactory, he will be eligible for a step increase consistent

[2:34:52] with the compensation provided to non-represented fire district personnel.

[2:34:57] So, at this time, I will turn it over to you guys to perform the evaluation.

[2:35:02] » All right. Thank you, Brandy.

[2:35:07] » Um, Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments at this time?

[2:35:12] » Not at this time. >> Vice Chairman Um, I have I have a few.

[2:35:17] » Okay. >> If that's all right.

[2:35:19] » Absolutely. >> Um, so I don't, you know, I I prefer the

[2:35:24] floggings happen quickly as opposed to drawn out like they're laid out in the

[2:35:28] evaluation.

[2:35:32] Uh you know the the first thing that I wanted to say uh Chief Riser is that I I

[2:35:36] really appreciate your thoughtful approach and your deliberate structuring

[2:35:40] of the organization and particularly your focus on uh morale and and the way

[2:35:45] that the organization is built. I think that's uh been really really valuable to

[2:35:50] the fire district. Um I have two um two focus areas that I think would um you

[2:35:59] know maybe to point out to work on in the upcoming year. And um the first one

[2:36:04] is that often we end up as fire and county commissioners end up as the de

[2:36:09] facto help desk or customer service uh for uh for the county and for the fire

[2:36:16] district. And and what that means is often when there are major incidents, uh

[2:36:22] especially if there are potential impacts to people's day-to-day lives, um

[2:36:27] you know, a quick call to just just let us know when something's going on. You

[2:36:31] know, it's not it's a little bit of a distraction from the operational command

[2:36:36] and and that side of things. That really helps us out, helps us with community

[2:36:40] relations. And I, you know, I think uh our meetings like this are a great place

[2:36:45] for kind of an afteraction summary of those things. U but it it would really

[2:36:49] help us with that community relations side of things to uh to be looped in as

[2:36:55] as there are bigger incidents. And if there's nothing really if there's real

[2:36:59] no really no impact, then that's great to let us know, hey, we don't anticipate

[2:37:03] any impact for residents or something like that, then we can calm people down

[2:37:06] and and let them know that they they don't need to be worried. Um the second

[2:37:11] one that that's been on my mind a little bit has to do with you know the the role

[2:37:14] that we have kind of an oversight and strategic planning role and um when when

[2:37:19] there are proposals around structure or structural changes major projects maybe

[2:37:25] prioritization changing the prioritization

[2:37:28] uh and planning I think it would be really helpful for us as we're trying to

[2:37:33] take that big picture structural view um for me personally it'd be helpful to

[2:37:38] maybe opportunities to discuss those to to float those ideas before we bake them

[2:37:44] fully and bring them here so that that can be a little more of a collaborative

[2:37:48] process um in the in the creation of the strategy. Um, and I know typically I

[2:37:55] don't have a ton to say about it, but sometimes it'll trigger something and

[2:37:59] go, "Hey, we might want to consider that or let's think about that as we do it."

[2:38:03] And and then when we get here to the meetings to to to deliberate publicly

[2:38:07] and to make those final decisions, um, we've had a a good stretch to really

[2:38:12] digest what the impacts will be for the organization. So, those are the two

[2:38:16] things that were on my mind um as as maybe things to focus on for the next

[2:38:20] year. Uh much appreciate that. Uh Fire Commissioner Mitchell, um you know, uh

[2:38:27] I'll take this opportunity to say I think you know uh I I feel like the fire

[2:38:32] district is in a pretty strong place right now. Um, you know, if if I were to

[2:38:36] pick on any negatives, um, and I'm going to take some ownership to that because,

[2:38:41] um, in the transition from the previous fire chief, um, you know, I don't know

[2:38:46] that I did the right, um, I I I I

[2:38:51] did you a disservice because I didn't bring it to your attention sooner as far

[2:38:54] as the um, the information that I feel I needed. Um, so I'm not blaming you for

[2:38:59] that. Something I could have brought to your attention a lot sooner. Um but uh I

[2:39:03] do want to take this opportunity to compliment you on [snorts] I think the

[2:39:07] overall organization as a whole. We talked about um you know the turnover

[2:39:12] that pretty much doesn't exist these days. Um and I think that that speaks

[2:39:17] volumes to the leadership um of the fire district and you know in other

[2:39:22] [clears throat] aspects of my life I'm dealing with you know getting folks

[2:39:25] trained and then they bail and that was a big issue for the fire district at one

[2:39:29] point in time during my tenure here. um and the fact that we don't have that um

[2:39:34] employee morale. Uh I can tell you in the last 12 months I've been approached

[2:39:39] by more fire district employees that have come up to thank me and the board

[2:39:46] to talk about how happy they are with the organization. Um and so you know I

[2:39:51] just want to point that out on the record that um I think you know you

[2:39:55] should take pride in that because um you know it's not easy uh you know playing

[2:40:00] both sides. you've got to deal with the board and you've got to be uh the right

[2:40:04] kind of boss to your staff. Um and so I definitely want to tip my hat to you for

[2:40:09] that because that is not easy to manage. But um you know continue on that path.

[2:40:14] Um you know I'm I'm very happy with where I see things overall at the fire

[2:40:19] district. Um you know and so I'll I'll leave it at that. Um is there any public

[2:40:25] comment at this time?

[2:40:29] Not seeing any. Um, vice chairman, excuse me, you're a fire commissioner

[2:40:34] today. Are you prepared to make a motion?

[2:40:37] » I am. I I don't know if we wanted to talk a little bit about because, you

[2:40:40] know, we we recently changed changed a structure on on the compensation and

[2:40:46] kind of aligned it and and dialed it in. And I still haven't kind of wrapped my

[2:40:51] brain around that. And maybe Chief, you can help us out. you know, typically um

[2:41:04] you know, t typically I think, you know, a step increase is pretty automatic. I

[2:41:09] just don't really have a a good understanding of the full impact of that

[2:41:13] change we made and what that does. Um, and we we want to be fair. We want to

[2:41:20] acknowledge the work that you do and and appreciate that. At the same time, it

[2:41:24] hasn't really been our tradition to do bonuses or to do, you know, extra. We

[2:41:28] try we try to match up and make sure that we're we're fair, but but we're

[2:41:32] we're not excessive in how we're approaching that. And especially with

[2:41:36] the way that the the CBA structured with an 8% coal in the first year, it just

[2:41:42] that and and then indexing things off of other compensation. I don't have a good

[2:41:47] handle on where we are and try trying to make sure I understand that a little bit

[2:41:52] better. So,

[2:41:54] I'm looking at who's going to be the best one to handle this. That be HR,

[2:42:01] controller, fire chief,

[2:42:07] » a a group effort.

[2:42:16] » I'm not sure I understand your question. >> Well,

[2:42:21] so AB absent kind of the way we just restructured the compensation for the

[2:42:25] leadership, the non-represented um pretty cut and dry as far as um as

[2:42:32] far as a step increases whatever it is three and a half% or

[2:42:36] whatever it is. And so then that's that's pretty clear what's happening.

[2:42:40] But because of the way we restructure things, I don't have a good handle on

[2:42:44] when we did the restructuring and chief is a whatever 35% above a

[2:42:51] captain's payer, an assistant chief's payer, whatever that is.

[2:42:55] » Um, if I I think I remember that that was

[2:42:59] meant to reflect the relationship as it was or as it should be. It wasn't

[2:43:04] necessarily a tool to move compensation, but In in the same time period, we also

[2:43:12] have a a a new agreement that involved a significant cola. And I'm trying to wrap

[2:43:21] my brain around uh was there a move with the indexing of things to what a captain

[2:43:27] gets paid and what a paramedic gets paid on the

[2:43:31] two different levels and and did that represent a change in compensation? And

[2:43:36] then did that in essence stack with an 8% cola? Was that worked in before or

[2:43:43] after? Or is it independent? And is it appropriate for us to consider a step

[2:43:49] change in addition or does that kind of blow us out where we just went up and up

[2:43:54] and now we're going up again? >> So I can answer the first part. Jennifer

[2:43:59] McCain, fire district controller. um the restructuring of the current where the

[2:44:07] pay schedule is now versus excuse [clears throat] me where it was we went

[2:44:10] from step seven steps to five steps. The way we took the non-represented into

[2:44:17] that structure is we followed a keystone approach that we used within the union

[2:44:24] and we pulled that down through all of the non-represented

[2:44:27] and that was based on the highest step. So the step seven was adjusted to a step

[2:44:33] five and then worked its way down to a step one.

[2:44:38] We then took where um the non-represented employees what they were

[2:44:43] currently getting paid on the sevenstep plan and moved them to the closest and I

[2:44:50] always say this wrong to the closest step without taking away their pay on

[2:44:56] the new schedule. So that that whole process was not intended to give people

[2:45:03] increases while some did see significant especially if they were step one or

[2:45:07] steps two we deleted those steps in essence. Um then after everyone was

[2:45:13] placed on the new schedule, then the agreed upon um

[2:45:19] I believe it was 8% that the union got that was moved over to the

[2:45:23] non-represented which also does include the fire chief

[2:45:27] as a non-represented employee. Um and then the fivestep scale was adjusted by

[2:45:34] 8%. At no way did was anything ever taken

[2:45:39] into discussions about this new pay schedule would eliminate anyone's merit

[2:45:46] increase. So as far as that decision goes, I can't speak to that. I can just

[2:45:53] tell you that we did not discuss that. Um, it was effective July 13th and

[2:45:59] anyone who received they received a merit increase on July 14th with that

[2:46:04] never came to the board. It was processed with their evaluations and

[2:46:08] moved forward. Got it. >> Okay.

[2:46:11] » Thank you. Let me jump in real quick if you don't mind. So, uh, I spoke with the

[2:46:16] chief about my desire to postpone this item. Um, it wasn't for any other reason

[2:46:21] than I think exactly what you're talking about. Um and and I think as I

[2:46:27] rationalize it in my brain, um it's a timing issue. In reality, this all is

[2:46:33] happening at the same time. >> Um as I expressed to the chief, you

[2:46:37] know, um I just I thought that the decision warranted a few minutes of of

[2:46:44] reflection, right? Because we obviously don't want to send the wrong message out

[2:46:49] to the constituents. And as I explained to the chief, the reality is right, if

[2:46:54] something does happen to go sideways, we are the ones that have to ask

[2:46:59] or initiate an increase in tax to cover the costs. And so in the conversation,

[2:47:05] um I think

[2:47:09] uh my my concern was that uh you know, it's good now, but it's not

[2:47:15] going to be okay in a year or two. and and I believe that with the changes

[2:47:19] we've made um you know can't speak for the

[2:47:24] organization but I think I think we're in a good place financially as far as

[2:47:27] salaries go and so um you know I'm speaking of the department as a whole

[2:47:32] not just the chief um you know my understanding um I don't know that there

[2:47:37] is an option if there was a desire um to not give that merit increase which comes

[2:47:43] with that 3% am stating that correctly.

[2:47:48] » Yeah. So, even if there was a desire, let's say, to say, "Hey, we're not

[2:47:54] comfortable with this type of increase." Um, I don't know that we have that

[2:47:58] option. >> Oh, we have the option to behead him if

[2:48:01] we want. That's what the thing said. >> I mean, it's like

[2:48:04] » I said mine shaft. >> I know. I know. Yeah. [laughter]

[2:48:07] » Um, >> can I interject to your comments?

[2:48:10] » Yeah. Um, historically, given the fire chief or any other

[2:48:15] employee within the fire district or the county to not give a merit increase

[2:48:20] would come down to having a below average,

[2:48:25] » right? >> A finding of Thank you for

[2:48:29] clarification. Yes. >> Yeah, understood.

[2:48:33] » Okay, great. Well, that that does help. Okay. Thank you for bringing that up

[2:48:38] because I obviously didn't verbalize my private conversation.

[2:48:41] » Probably would have been helpful. >> No, it's quite all right. I'm glad you

[2:48:44] didn't. That would have violated open meeting.

[2:48:45] » I would have brought it up sooner during the meeting.

[2:48:47] » And since you dragged me up here during his review, I'll say during his first

[2:48:51] year, financially speaking, it's been really nice working with him. He's taken

[2:48:56] a lot of um my comments and things to heart and we've worked really well

[2:49:02] together to bring the fire district where he said it is. Thank you.

[2:49:07] » Am I done? >> All right. Uh, then with that, I will um

[2:49:12] I will make a motion if it's all right. >> Yeah. I think our deputy DA is still

[2:49:16] laughing about the beheading thing. >> Oh, I I meant it metaphorically on the

[2:49:19] record, please. Metaphorically. Uh, [laughter]

[2:49:24] » we have insurance. >> Yeah. Yeah. Do you want should we give

[2:49:27] the chief a chance to >> I'm sorry.

[2:49:31] » Absolutely. Did you want to add anything, chief, after we just

[2:49:35] Bob riser for the record. Uh nice to know my neck will still be intact and it

[2:49:39] was metaphorical. >> U [clears throat] it's been a very

[2:49:44] challenging and rewarding year. Um coming into it timing wise. I don't know

[2:49:50] if it is worse this year or was worse coming in in the middle of budget prep

[2:49:56] should have already started. and a bunch of those things that uh you find out

[2:50:02] when you move from a spot one extra step below

[2:50:07] going from shift to 40 is a is a significant transition.

[2:50:12] I feel blessed that uh the relationship with the department heads here uh

[2:50:17] throughout the county is as good as it is and to be able to reach out to any of

[2:50:21] them at any point for help. And uh hey, I don't know what I'm doing. Jennifer

[2:50:27] and Brandy in particular because I deal with them so frequently.

[2:50:33] Um to be able to reach out to them and say, "Hey, I don't know what I'm doing.

[2:50:37] Um where am I headed with this? give me

[2:50:40] some grace um all the way through the negotiations process and being able to

[2:50:47] get that done. That's something that I had done previously but never on this

[2:50:53] scale. uh it was being a member of the the negotiating team as opposed to being

[2:50:58] particularly the lead of that being able to reach out to you as the

[2:51:05] commissioners. Um understanding the shared responsibility for maintaining

[2:51:09] the long term of the district because at some point um the patch doesn't belong

[2:51:14] to any of us. uh the fire district belongs to the community and to make

[2:51:18] sure that we're maintaining that. Um as we talked about in last meeting, our our

[2:51:24] very shared fiduciary responsibility to make sure that we're doing the best by

[2:51:29] our taxpayers and I think that's been an important

[2:51:32] aspect for me and always always should be. So I'm very appreciative of the

[2:51:38] opportunity. Um Commissioner Mitchell, I take your your two areas of improvement

[2:51:44] to heart. Um definitely one of them. You know, calling sooner uh is something

[2:51:50] that has been on my mind with uh the events that we've had throughout the

[2:51:54] year. It's also recognizing that the things that sometimes I think are an

[2:51:59] emergency versus what normal, you know, healthy

[2:52:03] functioning non-emergency responder adults think are emergencies are not the

[2:52:08] same thing. Um, so I think that's something just as

[2:52:13] a a big picture piece for me. Um, and then engaging in the strategic CIP and

[2:52:20] the development of the organization as a whole, I think is is something that I

[2:52:24] will also definitely be working on over the next 12 months. Um, I feel more

[2:52:29] comfortable in the position. Never too comfortable. learn stuff every day and

[2:52:34] firefighters and other community members will challenge you consistently.

[2:52:40] But I am I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue in the position

[2:52:44] if that's how you see fit. >> Thank you. Appreciate those words.

[2:52:48] Chief,

[2:52:53] » are you ready? >> All right, we'll let you slide one more

[2:52:55] year. >> One more year. [laughter]

[2:52:59] Um I fire Commissioner Mitchell move to

[2:53:04] find um

[2:53:07] the performance of Fire Chief Riser for this annual evaluation to be exemplary

[2:53:15] or above average in all areas and to award him the step increase as is

[2:53:20] custom.

[2:53:24] I >> have a motion. Is there a second?

[2:53:26] » Second. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[2:53:31] » I. >> I.

[2:53:32] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously. I'm also told

[2:53:35] by your next one, this physical, mental health, professional competence might be

[2:53:40] removed by the legislature. So, we'll see. It won't sound as harsh next year.

[2:53:46] Thank you, chief. All jokes aside, thank you.

[2:53:48] » Thank you very much. >> Yep. On to item number 22, recess to

[2:53:52] reconvene as the story county board of county commissioners. Bring us to item

[2:53:55] number 23. which is discussion for possible action, consideration, and

[2:53:59] possible approval of resolution number 26-837

[2:54:02] amending resolution number 26-836 setting salaries for appointed

[2:54:08] officials, non-represented employees, and elected officials. Brandy,

[2:54:13] » good afternoon once again, commissioners. Brandy Lopez for the

[2:54:15] record. Before today's resolution 26837, which amends resolution 26836, the

[2:54:23] proposed amendments includes the addition of the geographic information

[2:54:28] systems officer classification at a grade 140. Um, an adjustment to the

[2:54:33] undersher classification from grade 148 to a grade 150, a corresponding update

[2:54:39] to the sheriff's salary as required by NRS245.043.

[2:54:44] The board will also need to determine the effective date of the undersher

[2:54:47] salary adjustment. Staff has identified three options for

[2:54:51] the board's consideration. Um July 13th, which is the effective date previously

[2:54:57] approved by the board for fiscal year 2627 salary adjustments for elected

[2:55:02] officials, non-represented employees, ASME and the sheriff's employees

[2:55:06] association and the sheriff's supervisory association. Um the second

[2:55:11] would be July 1st which is retroactive to the be to the beginning of the fiscal

[2:55:16] year of 2627 and the third option is September 1st

[2:55:21] effective the date of the board's approval of this resolution for the

[2:55:25] board's information 245.043 043 establishes the salaries of effect

[2:55:31] elected officials other than other than county commissioners in accordance with

[2:55:36] the applicable provisions of the statute for those elected offices whose salary

[2:55:41] is tied to the highest paid employee within the office. The annual salary is

[2:55:45] established each July 1st in accordance with NRS245.043.

[2:55:52] As a result, if the employee salary used in the that annual calculation changes,

[2:55:58] the elected official salary must also be adjusted accordingly. The proposed

[2:56:02] amendment to the sheriff's salary reflects the statutory requirement.

[2:56:08] Um staff is requesting the board's discussion and direction regarding the

[2:56:12] effective date if appropriate approval of the resolution 26837.

[2:56:17] [snorts] >> Thank you, Randy.

[2:56:21] Commissioner Gilman, do you have any questions or comments at this time?

[2:56:25] » None. The vice chairman. >> Um Brandy, just just to be clear, the

[2:56:30] the the GIS officer is a new position that we're creating that is not

[2:56:33] currently filled. Uh whereas the other changes for a position that already

[2:56:37] exists. Is that correct? >> Exactly. Yes.

[2:56:39] » Thank you. [snorts]

[2:56:42] Thank you.

[2:56:45] Um I I have a question or two for the sheriff if if you're comfortable coming

[2:56:49] up and uh and and just giving a little bit of context. You know, over the over

[2:56:53] the last few years, we've um we've we've there have been a a few changes,

[2:56:59] multiple changes in roles, command structure, some of those things. Would

[2:57:02] you mind just giving a little bit of context around what that progression has

[2:57:06] been, where you think we're headed, if you feel comfortable with where we are

[2:57:10] now? uh lots of different titles trying to understand just what you know what's

[2:57:16] what the future holds for us as far as that goes in within your your your

[2:57:20] group. >> Sure. Uh Sheriff Cullen for the record.

[2:57:22] Thank you uh for the question actually. Um yes, we have been up and down quite a

[2:57:27] bit in the last few years trying to get started with this agency and the change

[2:57:31] in the county has caused a lot of that also. um just recouping from the past

[2:57:36] administration and trying to get things in place, hiring uh deputies and

[2:57:42] administrative staff and such. So um

[2:57:47] some of the things that I I kind of battle with is at one point we'll hire a

[2:57:53] few deputies, too many deputies, we don't have enough supervision, and then

[2:57:56] we hire too much supervision or we promote people without enough deputies

[2:57:59] to supervise. And we're slowly going through that grow growing pains, I

[2:58:03] guess. Um my vision for the future for the

[2:58:07] sheriff's office because of the growth and the size of the county and where

[2:58:10] we're headed is to yes continue growing. I think we're there with this last

[2:58:13] fiscal year with the the number of deputies. However, we need people to

[2:58:17] supervise those folks and having our lieutenant in charge of the jail and the

[2:58:22] dispatch center overseeing that and having our lieutenant in charge of the

[2:58:26] patrol and the uh investigations division that has pretty much set that

[2:58:31] uh command staff in place and then we would have our obviously our under

[2:58:35] sheriff that is in charge of those two lieutenants. Um those lieutenants each

[2:58:40] right now uh one lieutenant supervises uh six sergeants I'm sorry yeah four

[2:58:47] sergeants and two detectives on the patrol uh investigative side and the

[2:58:52] other uh lieutenant supervises the dispatch center and the jail as well and

[2:58:56] in the jail we have two sergeants. So I think the um the the ratio there for

[2:59:01] command staff to deputy is just about right. Um growthwise what I see in the

[2:59:06] future is I do see some point uh in the future where we're using the tri

[2:59:11] substation as a mini north command that may actually have a lieutenant in charge

[2:59:17] out there at some point depending on the growth. Um at this point we're not there

[2:59:21] just yet but we are developing and remodeling out there because of the

[2:59:26] growth and the things that we're seeing out there. And I think um Lieutenant

[2:59:29] Bowmont gave you guys some information this morning on just some of the things

[2:59:33] we've been seeing and the the stats how things are growing. So I think at this

[2:59:36] point uh now that our command structure is finally set with the sheriff and

[2:59:40] under sheriff two lieutenants and then the sergeants down the line I think

[2:59:43] we're set in that upper echelon area. Other than that um unless there's

[2:59:48] something else that's >> No, thank you. That's that's helpful.

[2:59:51] » Okay. Um, you know, the the other thing that's

[2:59:55] been on my mind is is kind of a a broader conversation and this is uh

[3:00:01] coming up now because it's relevant to you, Sheriff, but I think it's a broader

[3:00:05] conversation because of a change that was made at the legislature in elected

[3:00:10] officials and compensation and and the idea of there's some equity in indexing

[3:00:18] uh a certain amount above the highest paid supervised employee and I don't I

[3:00:24] don't know and I think it should include all all of our elected officials uh in

[3:00:30] the interest of doing things properly, ethically, transparently

[3:00:33] um you know what what has happened with that and I don't know if it was an

[3:00:37] unintended consequence or is it was intended but what has happened in

[3:00:42] essence is elected officials have been empowered to determine their own

[3:00:47] compensation indirectly right And I don't necessarily see that bad as a as a

[3:00:54] whole. I think it's probably proper to have some sort of uh indexing there. But

[3:01:00] good governance in my mind is being transparent about how we make sure that

[3:01:05] we're being ethical, that we're not taking advantage of that. And I want to

[3:01:08] again state I'm not I'm not making any sort of allegations. I just as we go

[3:01:13] forward, I have a feeling that this will come up in other elected officials

[3:01:18] offices. And so I don't I don't know what the proper discussion is to have. I

[3:01:23] don't think it's necessarily right for us to set a um a policy for the other

[3:01:29] elected officials in how they deal with that. But I think that coming up with

[3:01:34] some sort of uh statement understanding of um h how we make sure that that we

[3:01:43] are holding ourselves to a high standard and not taking advantage of that. I know

[3:01:46] one of the things we do from a perspective of trying to make sure that

[3:01:51] we are fair and equitable with non-represented positions is we comp

[3:01:57] internally and externally. And so we take a look at

[3:02:01] within the or the county organization h how does the the level of

[3:02:06] responsibility and the duties compare to those in other departments and how do we

[3:02:10] make sure that we're in the ballpark of of being equitable in that. And then we

[3:02:14] do look outside the organization as well to make sure we're competitive, that we

[3:02:17] can attract and we can retain people. Anyway, I just thought I thought it's

[3:02:22] it's worth bringing up because I think it's something that we will have happen

[3:02:26] more. It'll it'll come to us for these decisions and um and I'm I'm not

[3:02:31] necessarily opposed to making sure that people are properly compensated. I want

[3:02:34] to make sure that that's the case. I don't I just don't think we've ever had

[3:02:37] this before and it it's happened on the fire side because we just indexed

[3:02:41] everything off of certain positions and so now they're if you will indirect or

[3:02:46] unintended consequences and with this provision in law now there's the

[3:02:51] potential for the same and that's not necessarily you're welcome to to you

[3:02:55] know give a response I'm not I'm not necessarily

[3:02:58] » I think my response is one >> no

[3:03:03] items on the agenda >> one

[3:03:05] Um, you bring up a pretty good point and it was brought up at the legislature

[3:03:09] that there is potential for this to to happen. And I mean, you know, like we

[3:03:14] talked with the fire district, you know, the the creation of this lieutenant

[3:03:18] structure immediately increases the pay of the

[3:03:23] assistant sheriff, which then increases the pay of the sheriff, you

[3:03:28] know, and I think it's a very valid question. Um, and I think that's where

[3:03:31] the question came about structure in the sheriff's office is, you know, what are

[3:03:36] we going to do? Because, you know, um, I thought that the assistant sheriff was

[3:03:41] fairly well compensated as is, and now because of this new lieutenant

[3:03:46] structure, the assistant sheriff's getting a pay

[3:03:50] increase, as is the sheriff. So, thank you for bringing it up because I think

[3:03:54] it's on other people's minds as well outside the county. I know I've talked

[3:03:57] to some folks that were concerned about this salary uh with the way that they

[3:04:01] had laid out the salary structure being 3% higher than the higher highest paid

[3:04:06] person in your office. And so it's something we've got to think of because

[3:04:10] as I spoke with the fire chief, you know, we're on an upward trajectory and

[3:04:14] and that upward trajectory doesn't continue

[3:04:19] forever. At some point things are going to play, you know, level out at the

[3:04:23] park. construction is going to basically taper off at some point um because

[3:04:28] they're going to run out of land or projects and then that puts us in a

[3:04:31] situation where you know are we now so employeeheavy that we got to start

[3:04:36] laying people off um and hopefully that's not the case but it's something

[3:04:40] that I I think we're all paying attention to. I again have spoke

[3:04:44] directly to the chief about this. I have not spoken to the sheriff about this,

[3:04:47] but you know, we're we're ramping up. Um, as was stated at the last event I

[3:04:52] went to, there's 3,600 electricians out there right now. And, you know, I'm sure

[3:04:57] they're not all stellar citizens, you know, that cause problems for the

[3:05:02] sheriff's office. But, you know, I think it's definitely something to keep in

[3:05:06] mind as we continue this growth that at some point it's going to level out. If

[3:05:11] these data centers are all built out there, they're going to have 20, 30

[3:05:14] people working there, you know, and a lot of the workforce is going to go

[3:05:17] away, which is going to reduce our need to be out there. But anyway, didn't mean

[3:05:22] to cut you off. Just wanted to make sure I said

[3:05:24] » Sorry, I think I cut you off. >> That's okay. I didn't want to point it

[3:05:26] out, but I was trying to be nice. >> I won't either. Um, Jennifer McCain,

[3:05:31] Story County controller. Um, I just want to alleviate some of your worries

[3:05:35] because I can't speak for other counties, but within Story County, we do

[3:05:39] have checks and balances for these kind of situations between my office and HR

[3:05:44] and the county manager. And um, for this under sheriff position specifically, HR

[3:05:52] did an external compensation study and then we all met and we did an internal

[3:05:57] compensation study. So, we do have avenues to keep those second in command

[3:06:04] or highest paid employees within a department in check. And um I can verify

[3:06:11] that and I think Brandy can speak to this too, that that underpay uh under

[3:06:16] sheriff new schedule was not necessarily what the sheriff's office was looking

[3:06:21] at. But when we combine the external internal compensations, that's where it

[3:06:26] fell and that's where um we stood our ground on that. So I think that I hope

[3:06:32] that eases your mind a little bit on those kinds of things.

[3:06:35] » It does. Thank you. You know, I mean, because obviously like we've said with

[3:06:38] the fire district, at the end of the day, we're the ones that hear it. I'm

[3:06:42] sure you guys do, too. But, >> you know, it's, oh my god, there's new

[3:06:46] everything everywhere. You know, what's going on? It's like,

[3:06:49] » you know, how how can I try to, you know, drill this down so that you

[3:06:53] understand and it doesn't look like we're just, you know, living fat on the

[3:06:58] county side. >> That's very true. And I think when you

[3:07:01] do get those questions, either forwarding those people to one of our

[3:07:05] offices or calling us like both of you have done, all three of you have done,

[3:07:10] um, is really important. I think we can share those compensation studies with

[3:07:15] you and show you how we come to those numbers.

[3:07:19] » Appreciate it. >> Um, after some discussion, Commissioner

[3:07:23] Gilman, do you have anything to add at this point?

[3:07:29] » Probably nothing of relevance at this point. You know, I just know that things

[3:07:33] are going to get worse before they get better. So, you know, I understand

[3:07:37] having to different

[3:07:41] understand

[3:07:46] you know where does it end and whatnot as far as I know the park is maybe sold

[3:07:52] out but it's not built out and so I think there's many many years

[3:07:57] building out here and having construction workers in electrician far

[3:08:05] so I don't think at this point that concerns me as much but I do understand

[3:08:12] Thank you, >> Vice Chairman.

[3:08:16] » Questions, comments? >> No, no. I I I would just say I agree.

[3:08:18] You know, I'm I I think our I think my my main concern is is less about the

[3:08:24] availability of funds and more about making sure that we're doing this right

[3:08:28] and that we are responsible and that we're ethical and that we do things

[3:08:32] properly. I think to me that's the standard that we hold ourselves to and

[3:08:37] um and as new elements are introduced it's worth a good 360 look at them to go

[3:08:42] hey are we making sure that we're doing this properly and that we have the

[3:08:46] proper checks and balances and controls in place so that um so that we're

[3:08:52] operating beyond our reproach. >> Is there any public comment?

[3:09:00] All right. Not seeing any. Vice Chairman, you prepare to make a motion?

[3:09:03] » Yeah. Uh, I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to approve resolution number 26-833,

[3:09:07] establishing salaries for appointed officials, non-represented employees,

[3:09:11] and elected officials effective July 13, 2026.

[3:09:19] » And Mr. Chairman, since we didn't discuss that, may maybe we want to open

[3:09:22] it up for discussion. Um, >> maybe should have mentioned it.

[3:09:27] » Thank you. Um, so I uh don't have a problem making it

[3:09:34] effective today. You know, I mean, we made the decision

[3:09:38] today. I know we postpone this, but that in my opinion, that doesn't necessarily

[3:09:42] just immediately warrant, you know, that we backdated it because we postponed it.

[3:09:47] » Sure. >> That that's, you know, that's my only

[3:09:50] change I would say to that. But >> yeah, I'm I'm comfortable with that as

[3:09:54] well. Um, I I think my my natural inclination was to lean towards July

[3:09:58] 13th because that is the date that we made adjustments for everyone else in

[3:10:02] the county and so that's that seemed equitable to me and and so that that was

[3:10:07] kind of where my thought process was, but I'm flexible.

[3:10:10] » I'm It's not a sword I'm going to die on either. So,

[3:10:13] » does Johnny have any >> I'm sorry, Commissioner Gilman, do you

[3:10:16] have any input on that? Do you want to make it effective July 13th or do you

[3:10:20] want to make it effective today?

[3:10:25] So I second it.

[3:10:33] » Sounds good. So we got a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by

[3:10:37] saying I. >> I.

[3:10:39] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously. Is that a

[3:10:43] problem? >> We good.

[3:10:45] » Did he? >> July 13th.

[3:10:48] » July 13th. >> That's what was said in the motion.

[3:10:50] » Um it looks like in the motion, did you say 833?

[3:10:54] 26833. It should be 23 26837. >> Oh, yeah. My apologies. On the

[3:11:01] recommended motion, it looks like there's a typo.

[3:11:03] » Yeah. >> Because you made a motion. Do you need

[3:11:05] to reopen? Should we ask Brian? >> Brian, what would you like us to do?

[3:11:10] » Yeah, you should reopen and make another motion

[3:11:15] that is more clear. >> Okay.

[3:11:20] So, we're going to deal with item number 23,

[3:11:25] discussion for possible action uh regarding resolution number 26-836.

[3:11:31] » 837 837. >> I know there are three different numbers

[3:11:35] in here. >> Yeah. Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion.

[3:11:37] I Commissioner Mitchell move to approve resolution number 26-837

[3:11:44] establishing salaries for appointed officials, non-represented employees,

[3:11:47] and elected officials effective July 13, 2026. Mr. Chair, before you make a

[3:11:52] second, I just want to ask does Brian need to pine need to do public comment

[3:11:57] again? I know it's technical, but I want to write. Thank you.

[3:12:03] » At this point, we don't need to redo public comment. the reopen.

[3:12:12] » So, there's a motion. Do we have a second?

[3:12:15] » Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:12:19] » I. >> I.

[3:12:21] » I. >> Motion passes unanimously. Thank you,

[3:12:24] Sheriff. Thank you, Brandy. Thank you, Jennifer.

[3:12:27] » Sorry. >> July, July.

[3:12:31] » All right. On to item number 24. Discussion for possible action.

[3:12:34] Consideration and possible approval of a letter of support from Story County to

[3:12:38] the FK regarding the Great Basin Transmission Company 2028 expansion

[3:12:43] project. >> Good morning, Lisa Mel for the record.

[3:12:46] » Good afternoon, [clears throat] Lisa. >> Hello again. Uh Great Basin Gas

[3:12:50] Transmission Company reached out requesting a letter of support for their

[3:12:54] expansion and the replacement project that they're doing out in the Tri area.

[3:12:59] Um this expansion line will help um for in infrastructure

[3:13:06] and the continued industrial growth that's going on out there at Great

[3:13:09] Basin. Um they've Great Basin Gas has been very helpful in the fact that they

[3:13:14] have been calling and requesting permission before they go out onto any

[3:13:18] county properties and doing their due diligence requesting any information

[3:13:23] that they need on property owners. So they've been pretty pretty nice to be in

[3:13:27] communications with. Um, additionally, Churchill County and some other

[3:13:31] departments have already submitted or other counties have already submitted a

[3:13:35] letter of support to Great Basin as well.

[3:13:40] » Thank you, Commissioner Gman. Do you have any questions or comments?

[3:13:45] » None. Thank you, >> Vice Chairman.

[3:13:48] » Um, thank you, Lisa. Did I did I see a discussion in here somewhere that um of

[3:13:52] the possibility to uh express a preference for a preferred

[3:13:57] alternative or at this point is the story county connection baked into the

[3:14:00] project? >> So, this is kind of it that I'm aware

[3:14:04] of. I think they've already been going through it. Um we've come to

[3:14:09] commissioners for approval for them to access our property, but no alternative

[3:14:14] alternatives have been presented to us from from there. But I know that it

[3:14:19] started initially with communication that I had with them was to replace the

[3:14:23] aging infrastructure that they had out there for the gas lines.

[3:14:26] » Got it. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, as I as I look through some of the dates and

[3:14:30] things, I think they they started the environmental several months ago and so

[3:14:33] they're they're probably down that path a bit. Um yeah, I you know I I think

[3:14:37] that in the future availability of energy uh is is going to be a big uh

[3:14:45] deal for us. And what I mean by that is prosperity is tied to the availability

[3:14:50] of energy and we can wish that we had alternative ways to produce it. Um but

[3:14:56] those a lot of those have not materialized yet and so I think an

[3:14:59] expansion of of a gas line gives us that flexibility and stability in the future.

[3:15:07] » All right. Um any public comment?

[3:15:14] Not seeing any by Sherman. Are you prepared to make a motion?

[3:15:16] » Yeah. I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to approve a letter of support from Story

[3:15:20] County to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FK regarding the Great

[3:15:24] Basin Gas Transmission Company's 2028 expansion project docket number

[3:15:29] PF26-5-0000.

[3:15:36] » There's a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[3:15:39] » I. >> I.

[3:15:41] » Motion passes unanimously. Thanks, Lisa. On item number 25, which is discussion

[3:15:47] of possible action, discussion and possible consideration adopting the

[3:15:50] story county hazard mitigation plan update as prepared by emergency

[3:15:55] management staff approved by Nevada's office of emer management and FEMA.

[3:16:00] Adam. >> Okay. So, this plan has been two years

[3:16:02] in the works. It took us about 14 months to rewrite and update the plan and then

[3:16:07] it went to state office of emergency management for review. They took a year

[3:16:12] to complete that, which was just absolutely unprecedented.

[3:16:19] It went to FEMA. They had some modifications they want to make because

[3:16:23] of the 2-year period. A lot had changed. We got those completed and were notified

[3:16:29] by FEMA that they have approved the plan pending adoption by the county. They

[3:16:35] have to have that before they issue their final approval. So they need your

[3:16:40] signature as the county commission adopting the hazard mitigation plan.

[3:16:44] Once we get that and then FEMA approves it, we become eligible again for the uh

[3:16:51] hazard mitigation assistance grants. Until the plan is approved in that

[3:16:56] window, we are no longer eligible for those grants. If our plan expires, which

[3:17:01] our plan did expire because of the state's uh delay in getting it sent to

[3:17:06] FEMA. So, as of right now, we are not eligible for hazard mitigation grants

[3:17:10] until FEMA formally adopts this one. Uh, this was a mutual input from all

[3:17:18] county departments. We did public surveys,

[3:17:22] outside agency input, best practices on this plan, and we're comfortable with

[3:17:27] the county adopting this. >> All right. Thank you, Adam. Appreciate

[3:17:32] your work and your team's work on this. Commissioner Gilman, do you have any

[3:17:36] questions or comments? >> No, thank you.

[3:17:39] » Vice Chairman. >> Um, no. I just want to congratulate

[3:17:43] congratulate you, Adam, on probably single-handedly making this one of, if

[3:17:47] not the biggest packets we've ever had. >> Uh, it's not only his fault. It was the

[3:17:51] 50 emails to Sunny Hills. >> Oh, that's right. There was Yes. So,

[3:17:55] » this is the uh redacted version as well. The confidential version is much longer.

[3:18:00] It has a lot of maps and critical infrastructure aspects to it. Very good.

[3:18:05] I can't imagine what we've done these past few years without mitigating our

[3:18:08] hazards. Uh but somehow we've muddled through and I'll be glad to have a plan

[3:18:12] in place going forward. Thank you. >> Amen. Is there any public comment?

[3:18:18] Not seeing any public comment. Vice Chairman, you prepared to make a motion?

[3:18:22] » I am. >> Sorry, my phone thought you were talking

[3:18:26] to it. Um, I, Commissioner Mitchell, move to

[3:18:29] proceed with approval and adoption of the 2025 Story County Hazard Mitigation

[3:18:34] Plan.

[3:18:38] » Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those

[3:18:40] in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[3:18:43] » I. >> I.

[3:18:45] » Motion passes unanimously. Thank you again, Adam, to you and Tristan.

[3:18:48] » Just as a reminder, Mr. Chair, they'll be sending a docu sign to you for that

[3:18:53] on it >> for the adoption. Thank you.

[3:18:55] » Thank you. On item number 27, discussion for

[3:18:59] possible action, consideration and approval of second reading of business

[3:19:02] licenses A through M. Commissioner Gilman, you have any

[3:19:06] questions or comments? >> Vice Chairman?

[3:19:10] » I think we're good. >> All right. Is there any public comment?

[3:19:15] Not seeing any. Vice Chairman, you prepared to make a motion?

[3:19:18] » Yeah. I move to approve the second reading of business licenses listed

[3:19:21] under item 27 as A through M. >> Second. There's a motion and a second.

[3:19:27] All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[3:19:30] » I. >> I.

[3:19:32] » Motion passes unanimously. On to item number 28. This the second and final

[3:19:36] time for public comment. Is there any public comment in the courtroom today?

[3:19:43] Not seeing any. Brings us to item number 29, which is adjournment of all active

[3:19:47] and recess boards on the agenda. It's 1:24 p.m. We will see you all in a

[3:19:51] couple weeks. Have a great day.

[3:19:58] Oh, we have close session. >> No, [laughter] I was like

[3:20:04] sign of support and then I'll send Dr. I guess.

[3:20:10] » Okay. >> Thank you.

[3:20:16] » Carrying a pen chairman. >> Awesome. Thank you. [snorts]

[3:20:34] No, there's a couple things that you say together

[3:20:37] » and I appreciate you saying it because I don't think I could.

[3:20:41] » Thank you.

[3:20:51] Jack.

[3:20:59] » Thank you. >> Start getting that out to

[3:21:06] » the space

[3:21:10] install until Five or seven people working in that

[3:21:15] office.

[3:21:18] » Anyway, >> you going tonight?

[3:21:24] » A sign around my neck that says, "Ask me about flock cameras and data centers."

[3:21:28] Just kidding. Ask me about industrial development data centers. Ask me

[3:21:31] anything. >> Don't joke around. [laughter]

[3:21:35] » Sure. >> What do you need them for?

[3:21:37] » Thank you, guys. I'm going to need to wear that outside. Yes. And

2026-09-01 BoCC Regular Meeting

Transcript