LOVELock — The Pershing County Commission received an update from the Central Nevada Health District before turning to public questions surrounding the recent district attorney hiring process during its April 1 meeting.
Health District: New leadership, programs, and local activity
Central Nevada Health District representative, Maria Menjivar, reported on behalf of Shannon Ernst regarding recent leadership changes, program launches, and ongoing public health efforts across the region.
Shannon Ernst was officially appointed as the district’s administrator in March, marking a transition in leadership. The district is also working through staffing changes, including the departure of a clinical manager position and ongoing recruitment to fill key roles.
Among the updates was the launch of a redesigned health district website, expected to be completed by late June, along with a broader effort to streamline administrative services through new IT support contracts.
Officials also highlighted the rollout of the SRAE (Sexual Risk Avoidance Education) program, a state-supported curriculum aimed at promoting healthy decision-making among youth. The program has already been implemented in other rural Nevada communities and is expected to expand further, including potential future use locally.
On the ground in Pershing County, health district staff reported ongoing services including heart health and stroke prevention classes held at the senior center, as well as routine environmental health inspections and continued coordination with local emergency responders.
Recent disease surveillance numbers for the county included one RSV case, two COVID-19 cases, five influenza cases, one STD case, and one additional reported illness.
Commissioners also addressed questions raised during a previous public comment period regarding the appointment of the county’s new district attorney.
Commissioners outlined how they evaluated the two candidates, citing professional qualifications, interview performance, and community ties as key factors in their decision-making.
Chairman Joe Crim and Connie Gottschalk emphasized that newly appointed District Attorney Derrick Penney demonstrated both relevant experience and a stated willingness to relocate to Pershing County, which they viewed as a significant consideration.
In contrast, discussion noted that the second candidate did not indicate plans to relocate and had less familiarity with the community.
Commissioners also addressed concerns about financial oversight within the district attorney’s office, explaining that child support payments are processed through state systems using money orders or electronic payments, not local cash handling. Guardian account oversight, they said, is handled through the court system rather than the district attorney directly.
Questions regarding former interim District Attorney Jack Bullock’s continued involvement were also clarified. Crim said Bullock remained briefly only to complete a small number of active cases, totaling approximately six days of work, and is no longer serving in the role.
Beyond the health district update and district attorney discussion, commissioners worked through a full agenda of routine operations, staffing, and project updates.
County Manager Kristen Gonzalez reported on her first weeks in the role, including meetings with department heads and elected officials to identify priorities, communication gaps, and operational challenges. She also outlined plans to reestablish employee training, improve evaluation processes, and introduce employee recognition and morale programs.
The Road Department staff, Kevin Machado, reported ongoing maintenance work across the county, while also highlighting continued issues at transfer sites, including the removal of more than 100 discarded tires from Grass Valley in a single cleanup effort.
Buildings and Grounds staff, Bryan Ruddell, provided updates on seasonal work, including spraying, demolition projects, and preparation for upcoming events. Commissioners also approved the disposal of unused county property from storage facilities to free up space.
Library director, Kameron Mitchell, reported continued success with a 3D printing program, which has completed more than 200 print jobs, along with expanded programming and staff training.
Emergency Management received approval to apply for a nearly $30,000 grant to purchase an equipment trailer for the sheriff’s office, with no required local match.
The Sheriff Jerry Allen reported nine inmates currently in custody and ongoing staffing efforts, including recruitment to fill open deputy positions. The office also assisted in recovering stolen property from a neighboring county.
Under economic development, the county signaled plans to reengage efforts and restart regular meetings, while also continuing coordination with regional partners.
Commissioners also approved the Marzen House Advisory Board applying for a $50,000 Travel Nevada Rural Marketing Grant, which, if awarded, would support tourism promotion efforts including video production, kiosks, and community marketing materials.
At the airport, Neil Ghllagher reported light but steady activity and ongoing work to develop standard operating procedures, particularly around security and access control.
Finally, commissioners reviewed and approved routine financial items, including vouchers and expenditures, and discussed future agenda items and correspondence, including support for a major irrigation infrastructure project through the Pershing County Water Conservation District.
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