The Pershing County Commission approved several routine but important county business items during its regular meeting Wednesday, June 3, including the county’s annual public agency insurance renewal, road maintenance bids, staffing changes, airport agreements and a paint bid for the Marzen House Museum. Commissioners approved the county’s renewal proposal through the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool for fiscal year 2026-27. Kayla Frost of A and H Insurance told commissioners the county’s total program cost will decrease about 1.1 percent, from $395,890 to $391,519, even as payroll, insured property values and vehicle counts increased. Frost said the pool’s property coverage limit increased from $300 million to $500 million per occurrence, equipment breakdown coverage increased from $100 million to $150 million, and cyber liability coverage was enhanced to provide a $1 million limit for both first- and third-party liability, along with a $500,000 cybercrime sublimit. County Manager Kristen Gonzalez reported on several ongoing administrative efforts, including work to revise employee evaluation forms.
Gonzalez said the current form does not adequately document how employees meet or exceed expectations. She said she wants the new process to include measurable standards and six-month feedback, giving employees clearer direction and supervisors better documentation. Gonzalez also reported that the county met with representatives of the Dunlieh Group, which develops data centers and the energy systems that power them. She said the discussion included electrical infrastructure, community investment and potential workforce training partnerships with local schools. The project is expected to break ground in December 2027 and take about three years to complete.
Road Superintendent Kevin Machado reported that crews repaired erosion issues near Carpenter and Peterson, bladed several county roads and addressed drainage concerns in Grass Valley by cleaning one culvert and installing another. Commissioners also approved going out to bid, pending district attorney review, for chip sealing 5.2 miles of Coal Canyon Road and one mile of Holstrom Road. The board also approved seeking bids for mag chloride work on county roads in Imlay, Grass Valley and Lovelock, also subject to district attorney approval. Those road items were listed under the Road Department section of the agenda. Machado also told commissioners that once a third landfill employee is hired in July, he would like to schedule that position Monday through Friday while the current employees continue Wednesday through Sunday.
That would allow the landfill to operate seven days a week without additional staffing costs. Commissioners supported the idea and asked that updated hours and high-wind closure rules be clearly posted for the public. Buildings and Grounds Director Bryan Ruddell said his department has been completing fire marshal inspection orders, repairing sprinklers and addressing vandalism, broken glass and littering at the courthouse park. He said Buildings and Grounds is working with law enforcement and IT to use available footage to identify those responsible. Ruddell also reported that the Unionville caretaker has stepped down, which will add mowing and watering duties to his crew until the position is filled.
Commissioners approved salary resolutions for E. Valtierra and D. Hammond in the Buildings and Grounds Department. They also discussed eventually shifting some personnel approvals to the county manager once the appropriate policy changes are in place. Library Director Kameron Mitchell reported that the library’s new seed library is now operating after a joint program with 4-H and UNR Extension. He said the final story hour of the season had more than 150 participants over the full session, and summer reading and family game night programs are ready to begin. The Library Board also officially approved the logo the library has been using.
Fire and ambulance reports included 11 ambulance calls since the prior meeting, two Lovelock fire responses and one rescue response. Lovelock Fire Chief Rich Wagner reported that the department’s rescue truck is back and nearly ready for service. Imlay Fire reported 10 calls, including eight medical calls, one vehicle fire and one brush fire. Commissioners accepted the resignation of Emergency Operations Manager Sean Burke, effective June 15, and approved advertising and hiring for the position. The resignation and hiring authorization were both listed as possible action items on the agenda.
The board also approved Amendment No. 2 to an interlocal contract with the state for medical care of indigent persons under the Medicaid County Match Program. The maximum amount increased from $1,190,017 to $2,026,185.74. Clerk-Treasurer Lacey Donaldson said the county likely has little choice in the matter, noting the increase is tied to rising medical costs. At Derby Field Airport, commissioners approved an 18-year lease extension with the Federal Aviation Administration for navigational aid facilities and weather equipment at the airport. They also approved an agreement with J-U-B for services related to submission of an ALP-FAA grant application.
Commissioners also approved a contract with High Desert Engineering to serve as county surveyor on an as-needed basis for parcel maps, boundary line adjustments, divisions of land into large parcels, reversions of acreage and related work. The county had been looking for a replacement after its current acting county surveyor indicated he would be stepping away. The board approved a $25,000 bid from Fresh Start Painting LLC of Fernley for exterior paint preparation work on the main house at the Marzen House Museum, subject to district attorney approval. Commissioners noted the historic nature of the building and the need to ensure the work meets required preservation standards. The museum paint bid was listed as a possible-action item on the agenda.
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