Building repairs, cemetery maintenance, and road damage recovery took center stage at the
Oct. 15 Pershing County Commission meeting, with updates from emergency services and
approval of an upcoming property tax auction.
Linda Workman from the Grass Valley Advisory Board requested permission to solicit
painting quotes and to replace ten folding tables stolen from the Grass Valley Community
Center. Workman said a review of security footage didn't provide any clues about when the
tables were removed. She explained the storage room where the tables were kept is
typically unlocked because it contains the fuse box.
Commission Chair Joe Crim, Jr. acknowledged there are several keys to the building floating
around the community and requested Bryan Ruddell from the Buildings and Grounds
department to rekey the building. Commissioner Connie Gottschalk instructed Workman to
use Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) to replace the tables which run
$56 each. Commissioners also instructed Workman to work with District Attorney Bryce
Shields to craft a Request For Proposals for painting the building's interior.
Cheryl Haas with the Safety and Cemetery department told commissioners about water
damage at the Lone Mountain Cemetery. She said water run-off is pooling near the
veterans' section and the grave markers are sinking. She suggested creating a berm to
protect that section as a short-term fix as more permanent repairs are developed. She was
given approval to work with the Buildings and Grounds department to get the berm in
place before winter.
Kevin Machado with the Road Department and Landfill updated commissioners about
several road repairs needed following heavy rain earlier this month; several culverts were
unplugged and replaced. He received approval to advertise and hire for the vacant Road
Equipment Mechanic I/II position.
Machado also updated the commission about the fire at the landfill that started Oct. 2 when
a lithium battery was run over by equipment. The fire smoldered for two weeks with
occasional flare ups. Crews are dousing hot spots with water and covering old hot spots
with dirt. He said the Fallon landfill has a similar fire and they lost a piece of equipment due
to lingering hot spots.
James Drake from the Rye Patch Volunteer Fire Department detailed calls for service,
including an Oct. 11 response to a livestock trailer that overturned on the interstate. Crews
were on scene eight hours and had to cut the roof and peel it back to reach the animals.
Using a portable loading chute and second trailer, crews saved 70 goats and sheep, although
about 400 were killed during the crash.
Emergency Management Director Sean Burke updated the commission on the Grass Valley
Volunteer Fire Department, saying his department is coordinating physical exams for
firefighters. He also told commissioners he would be traveling to Minnesota in December to
take delivery of a new water tender.
Burke summarized the Hazardous Materials Exercise held Oct. 10, calling it the best
exercise he's been a part of. The scenario involved a gas release and the team needed to
respond using current weather conditions like the wind direction. He praised the
coordination between his department and the hospital, road department, sheriff's
department and the Coeur Rochester mine. Commissioner Chuck Sayles asked if a drone
would have been useful. Burke said a drone would have provided valuable information, but
regulations surrounding drones and their operators remain a hurdle. Sayles encouraged
Burke to work with the sheriff's office to determine if the county could get a licensed drone
operator.
In administrative matters, commissioners increased the daily hotel rate from $91 to $150.
Several departments had requested the higher room rate for upcoming conferences.
Commissioners also approved a maintenance agreement with Burrow Farms for upkeep of
Fuss Road, which runs through June 2026.
Commissioners approved Resolution 25-1012 which allows Clerk/Treasurer Lacey
Donaldson to sell properties held in county trust. She said the 166 properties owed
$322,000 in delinquent taxes.
Correspondence included a letter from the City of Lovelock requesting a joint meeting
between the Lovelock City Council and the Pershing County Commission. The Nevada Clean
Energy Fund also submitted a letter requesting nominations of potential board members.
The commission meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
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