February 15, 2022

Commissioner Cox

was present via telephone.

Mr. Hammond

said they were very appreciative of the Commissioners support. Nichole Walters asked when something would be done about the audit. She also wanted paper ballots and said she would volunteer to count them. She advised the road by the library needed to be fixed along with Mesquite from Blagg to Barney, and there was no handicapped swings at any park in Pahrump. Anyone with connections to the Hillary Foundation would be going down. Ms. Walters told people to shop local to keep the community going. She pointed out the mask mandate was lifted and asked the Commissioners why they were allowing big corporations to abuse their workers. She advised she had a news channel on joshuetv.net. Joshuetv.net gave real search engine results and people should stop using Google, Facebook and Twitter. Tim Bohannon talked about a number of new federal grants. Darrell Lackey said there was a runaway government here and the people could only face those on the County level. Officials were elected that had campaign promises. Then they were elected and did not want to step on toes and he wondered whose toes. He also wondered why there was not more effort to help people in the parking lots, an issue he had been working on for four years with no assistance from the County. Diane Southworth said Nevada Outreach held their first wrap around meeting and she thanked the Town of Pahrump for allowing them to use the pool showers. There was February 15, 2022 2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (up to three-minute time limit per person.) Action will not be taken on the matters considered during th!s period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item (first)-Cont’d. also a presentation from Living Free Health and Fitness, who treated addiction and offered whole health solutions. Ammie Nelson thanked the Commissioners, Fire Chief Scott Lewis, and everyone else who reached out to her while she was ill. Sam Jones said he had watched the videos of the meetings he missed and commended all of the Commissioners for a job well done. As to a forensic audit, he said he had been fighting it for years. Sam Merlino said it would cost the County $500,000.00, but it would not cost one penny. Jim Marchant, who was running for Secretary of State, said if the Commissioners put it on the agenda and vote on it his campaign would pay 100%. Also, Mr. Jones asked the Board to instruct Tim Sutton to send a letter to every business in Nye County regarding the mask mandate as it needed to stop. He knew the Commissioners could not control private businesses, but they controlled their licensing just the way the Governor did the casinos. Mark Kampf, a candidate for Nye County Clerk, advised Nye County Republican precinct meetings and the Republican Convention would be on July 26, 2022, at the Beatty Community Center, 100 A Avenue S., Beatty, Nevada. The precinct meeting would start at 8:30 a.m., the doors opened at 8:00 a.m., and the cost was $25.00 per person. The convention would occur shortly after the precinct meetings were completed and the event was slated to be done at 4:00 p.m. Some of the candidates for office in Nye County would also speak. Pearl Olmedo said she was present should there be any questions directed toward Round Mountain.

Commissioner Strickland

said on February 18, 2022, the Pahrump Valley Junior High and High School rodeo would start and run through Sunday. Nye County realtors were considering starting their own MLS services and would meet on February 16, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at 775 Realty. Also, Soroptimist would meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the CASA Office, 1321 S. Highway 160.

Commissioner Blundo

thanked several people for their perseverance during the shutdowns and standing strong in the face of tyranny. He then spoke about the healthy economy in Pahrump, but said there were renters who received rental assistance and were either still being evicted or had significant raises in rental rates which he attributed to the lack of rental units. He felt it was a critical situation for the blue collar workers in town and could potentially have a strong trickle-down effect. He thought a couple of February 15, 2022 3. Commissioners’IManager’s Comments (This item limited to announcements or topiclissues proposed for future workshopslagendas)-Cont’d. meetings were needed on that and how to address it in the community. Commissioner Blundo then expressed his disgust with Bank of America’s choice to shut down in Pahrump and asked that a letter be drafted as soon as possible to Bank of America Corporate to ask them to reconsider as he believed the bank served many citizens in the rural community.

Commissioner Carbone

said the Lincoln Day Dinner would be on March 11, 2022, at the Coyote Den from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The cost was $40.00 per person. Also, the Cles Saunders Memorial Veterans’ Extravaganza would be on March 4, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vendors from veterans organizations along with outside organizations would be there to assist the veterans. Commissioner Carbone then stated he did not like picking up everyone else’s trash. People had uncovered loads going to the landfill and he asked the Sheriff to put some presence on the road to start hand ling that. Lastly, GNC in town would be closing. Sam Merlino advised she had new maps on the Web site showing the new precincts and her office was working diligently on moving street ranges. About 14,000 new ID cards would be sent out.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas. SITTING AS THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TIMED ITEMS

Commissioner Carbone

asked Mr. Falk how he personally felt about the project.

Mr. Falk

said he began his career engaged with a lot of renewable energy advocacy organizations working at the university levels. He was very supportive of the project and thought it was a wonderful thing for the environment and the economies of the surrounding counties.

Commissioner Blundo

took this opportunity to advise the precinct meeting would be on February 26, 2022, not July 26, 2022. SITTING AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF UNINCORPORATED TOWN OF PAHRUMP

Commissioner Carbone

said based on the numbers he had seen he did not think they did a bad job.

Commissioner Strickland

asked if the expenses would have been incurred by the town by just having the fall festival whether it ran it or not. Jimmy Martinez said yes.

Commissioner Strickland

said she was not only extremely pleased the town ran it, but less than $800.00 was lost and it was a very successful, well run event.

Commissioner Jabbour

said he was very impressed and confident it would be even more successful in the future.

Commissioner Blundo

said he knew the Sheriff liked to use the resources at events, but at times he thought she went a little over the top and liked to bill back for free services she provided. There would have been a profit without those charges. He was happy with the numbers and the results, and most importantly that the fall festival was held.

Commissioner Blundo

asked if money would need to be added to the fund as it was negative $793.00 right now. Savannah Rucker explained there was a fall festival fund that was budgeted for. This was a minor subsidy that would be required and could be taken care of through the budgeting process. February 15, 2022 8. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation regarding: 1) Approval of Town of Pahrump staff managing the Fall Festival in-house for a minimum of three years, from 2022-2024, or as otherwise determined by the Board, to secure contracts with vendors; and 2) Report of the 2021 FaIl Festival-Cont’d.

Commissioner Blundo

said he would like to see that come back as an item if the Board supported allowing the town to run it for three years.

Commissioner Cox

said the festival always made a lot of money off the open pit barbecue and there was talk about building a new pit. She would like to bring back an item regarding adding an open pit barbecue this year and building a pit. She said she supported this item.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve Town of Pahrump staff managing the fall festival in-house for the next three years from 2022-2024 and to secure contracts with vendors; seconded by Commissioner Jabbour.

Mrs. Rucker

advised she pulled up the budget from FY22 and the fall festival was prefunded so an item was not needed. Dwight Lilly said he sat on the Pahrump fall festival finance committee when the town last handled the festival. He advised there was a real problem in collecting the percentages owed on the beer sales, food sales, and in particular with the rodeo half of the committee. He contacted Budweiser and Pepsi, who refused to give him any information. The argument that kept coming up was the town was losing money. If the town considered taking it Mr. Lilly said he would be happy to help out. Richard Goldstein thought it was a great idea for the town to take it over, but it needed some tweaking. Another carnival company needed to be found as last year’s company shafted people left and right with a fuel tax, which they had no right to charge. They also charged an outrageous amount of money for using a credit card. The prices being charged to the vendors needed to be considered as they were getting steep. The fireworks show also needed to be held again. Ammie Nelson said she was proud of how they handled the event last year. John Bosta asked for a copy of the expense report. As to the Sheriff’s Office charging, he stated it had a budget and had to provide services to an unincorporated town without charging. Sam Jones said he was in favor of the town running the fall festival, but thought the vendor cost needed to be adjusted as several vendors told him they could not afford to return. February 15, 2022 8. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation regarding: 1) Approval of Town of Pahrump staff managing the Fall Festival in-house for a minimum of three years, from 2022-2024, or as otherwise determined by the Board, to secure contracts with vendors; and 2) Report of the 2021 FaIl Festival-Cont’d.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to appoint to the Pahrump Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee both David Harris and Helen Schneider to terms expiring January, 2024; seconded by Commissioner Jabbour.

Commissioner Blundo

said he had concerns about one of the applicants and did not know if Commissioner Cox had any other insight or if any other Commissioner had been in attendance.

Commissioner Cox

said she would have just made a motion to approve as the advisory board approved it and those were there only applications received. If there was an issue she would like to hear it.

Commissioner Blundo

said it was an issue with the chairwoman and how parks selection was typically done. There was a conflict between two dog groups that he thought could have been handled a little more respectfully. If the Board would indulge him, he asked for the item to come back on March 1, 2022.

Commissioner Cox

felt it should be left up to the board if they were not happy with their chair as they could vote in another chair. It was hard to get anyone to even want to sit on the board. She had not heard any complaints about any of the members. Samantha Tackett advised the board currently had a quorum so this item could be put to another meeting. She said the field allocation meetings and the way the board conducted itself definitely needed some help. Staff has had to step up and pick up where they were leaving off and decorum was an issue. She supported putting this off for more information.

Commissioner Strickland

said she had seen Jimmy Martinez take over and tell them what the field allocation should be. She removed her motion and directed staff to add to another agenda and re-advertise.

Commissioner Jabbour

withdrew his second. February 15, 2022 9. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to: 1) Appoint two members to the Pahrump Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee due to two expiring terms from the following list of applicants: David Harris and Helen Schneider; or 2) Readvertise for the appointment-Cont’d.

Mr. Martinez

advised without this approval there would not be a quorum for tomorrow’s meeting.

Commissioner Cox

said there would still be three people, so there would be a quorum unless someone did not show up.

Mrs. Tackett

said one of these two people would need to be appointed to have a quorum as there was another vacancy staff was working on filling.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to appoint David Harris to the term ending January, 2024, and to readvertise for the appointment; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to appoint Stephen Hall and Dma Williamson Erdag for a two-year term ending January, 2024; seconded by Commissioner Blundo; 5 yeas. SITTING AS THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS These are items that Staff recommends for approval. The Board reserves the right to move any consent agenda item to the regular segment of the agenda should issues arise that need to be addressed. Discussion of any item from the Consent Agenda Items that needs review before a decision is made. II. For Possible Action Approval of the Elected Official Collection Report regarding fees collected from elected county departments for services rendered by or provided to county citizens.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve consent agenda items 11-15; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas. February 15, 2022

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve consent agenda items 11-15; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve consent agenda items 11-15; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve consent agenda items 11-15; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas. February 15, 2022

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve consent agenda items 11-15; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to approve; seconded by Commissioner Blundo; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to approve; seconded by Commissioner Blundo; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to approve as read.

Commissioner Strickland

restated her motion that the Board had determined the equipment was ready for excess, determined it was ready for disposal, and that it could be deposited into 10205 Road Fund; seconded by Commissioner Blundo.

Commissioner Strickland

amended her motion that the Board had determined it was in the best interest of the public, had determined the equipment was ready for excess, and that it could be deposited into 10205 Road Fund; Commissioner Blundo amended his second; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to 1) determine that the excess storage building from the Pahrump Road Department Yard was no longer required for public use, and 2) February 15, 2022 33. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to: 1) Determine that an excess storage building from the Pahrump Road Department Yard is no longer required for public use; 2) Determine it is in the best interest to dispose of the building in a manner to be determined by Thomas BoIling, Assistant Public Works Director with any resulting proceeds being deposited to 10205 Road Fund Cont’d. determine that it was in the best interest of the public to dispose of the building in a manner to be determined by Thomas Boiling, Assistant Public Works Director, with any proceeds being deposited into 10205 Road Fund; seconded by Commissioner Jabbour.

Commissioner Cox

asked why the building was no longer needed and if there was a big expense to replace it. Tom Boiling explained they had to build a new building to put the paint in to keep it out of the elements. That building was large enough to take all other storage and this building was no longer needed by the Road Department. It was completely wrapped in aluminum and the plan was to scrap it to see if they could get a little money out of it.

Commissioner Cox

confirmed with Mr. Boiling another building would not be built.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to approve the purchase and fund from 10253 Special Revenue Fund; seconded by Commissioner Biundo; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Strickland

asked if there was any reason why one piece of equipment was more than the other or if there was a fondness for one over the other. Tom Boiling said they were two different brands which both did pretty much the same thing. He was going more for customer service as they had not received the best February 15, 2022 35. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to: 1) Purchase new surveying equipment from Nevada Transit and Laser in the amount of $40,286.00 or Monsen Engineering in the amount of $45,950.00; 2) Fund from 10205 Road; or 3) Reject bids and direct Public Works to procure additional guotes-Cont’d. customer service from Monsen Engineering. Nevada Transit and Laser also happened to be cheaper.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to purchase from Nevada Transit and Laser in the amount of $40,286.00 and fund from 10205 Roads; seconded by Commissioner Blundo; 5 yeas. PUBLIC PETITIONER

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to support the request to support the closure of Highway 318 on May 15, 2022, and September 18, 2022, for the road events held by Silver State Classic Challenge; seconded by Commissioner Jabbour; 5 yeas. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 22. Presentation on the Neighborhood Watch Program by Members of the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Unit. The Sheriffs Auxiliary Unit was not present. 23. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to place a memorial honoring Tom Saitta at the Calvada Eye.

Commissioner Carbone

said this item was to look for the space to put the plaque. The dedication would come from a few folks.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to honor Tom Saitta by providing an area for the plaque; seconded by Commissioner Blundo. Sam Jones thought it was wonderful to have a plaque honoring Mr. Saitta and commended whoever put this on the agenda. Brian Shoemake said he supported the item. February 15, 2022 23. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to place a memorial honoring Tom Saitta at the Calvada Eye-Cont’d. Dwight Lilly suggested a general plaque honoring different people who contributed to the community so it would be an ongoing honorarium.

Commissioner Carbone

explained outside people were paying for this and the County was only providing the space.

Commissioner Blundo

said he asked for financials on that contract and would like to follow up with that and have the information sent to all Commissioners. He had some concerns with the viability of that project continuing forward. Regarding federal taxes in lieu, Commissioner Strickland said Planning Director Brett Waggoner was working on getting recognition on where the County came in with the census because with a population over 50,000 the County would fall into a new tax base which meant more money. She asked if that had changed or if the County was still fighting it.

Mrs. Rucker

knew there was an item that went before the State, but she was not sure how that flowed up to the federal government and would look into it. Mrs. Rucker then noted the negative $437,000.00 in the other line and explained that was due to tax sale issues that they were resolving with the Treasurer’s Office so it should not be a negative on the next report. 25. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation regarding the Corrective Action Letter for the Annual Audit Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021 to be submitted to the Nevada Department of Taxation. Savannah Rucker explained this item was the response to the audit presented to the Board at the last meeting. There was only one finding that required resolution that the February 15, 2022 25. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation regarding the Corrective Action Letter for the Annual Audit Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021 to be submitted to the Nevada Department of Taxation-Cont’d. County could not get around pursuant to statute, which was the Pahrump Valley Fire Rescue Service fund. The fund had to record the fund’s percentage of the State’s retirement liability that was unfunded. If the PERS liability was removed, the fund would have positive equity. Mrs. Rucker said she had been seeing the fund perform better over the years as Fire Chief Scott Lewis, herself and the ambulance crews had been responsive to the changes for operation of this fund.

Commissioner Blundo

said he would like to incorporate the following language: “The deficit net position of the Pahrump Ambulance Fund was recognized upon the implementation of new accounting guidance, GASB Statement No. 68, accounting and financial reporting for pensions, which required the County report its proportionate share of net pension liability of the Public Employee Retirement System of the State of Nevada. The implementation cost a $4190 million liability impact resulting in a negative balance; otherwise, the fund balance would have ben in a positive position. We realize the reporting change intent as retired GASB Chair Robert Attmore had stated the new standards would improve the way state and local governments report their pension liabilities and expenses resulting in a more faithful representation of the full impact of the obligations. As a result the County will assess ways to resolve the reported deficit as other public bodies are doing in light of the reporting change.”

Mrs. Rucker

believed that comment added to the letter, but the County could not do anything with the liability the State managed. All that could be done was a subsidy to the ambulance fund, which was not necessary as the fund was operating well.

Commissioner Blundo

thought the County should take a bit of a stand. Maria Ziotek advised the item did not allow for amending the letter. The Board could choose to not move forward with this item and bring a new one back with the ability to tweak the letter on the record.

Mrs. Rucker

advised DTAX was waiting on this letter. If the Board would approve it as written then she would provide the additional verbiage in a letter from herself as additional commentary as discussed during the Board meeting.

Commissioner Blundo

made a motion to approve with the recommendations from the Comptroller; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas. 4. Approval of the Agenda for February 15, 2022 (Non-action item)-Reopened. Tim Sutton said he had a request to remove items 22 and 27-28. February 15, 2022 22. Presentation on the Neighborhood Watch Program by Members of the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Unit. This item was removed from the agenda. PLANNING/BUILDINGICODE COMPLIANCE 26. Presentation of the quarterly report from the Planning Department regarding the status of Code Compliance cases. Brett Waggoner said each Commissioner received a report for their specific district with more detail than the reports he had been giving. On January 11, 2021, there were 105 active cases. From January 12, 2021 to February 10, 2022, there were 360 new cases and 277 were closed. Today there were 196 active cases. He said with the OpenGov system they were able to track the cases a lot better.

Commissioner Blundo

said he appreciated everything on OpenGov, but he felt it was very frustrating and would like the old way of submitting complaints available to the public as well.

Mr. Waggoner

stated they would not refuse a complaint, but they could not accept an anonymous complaint. They could do a complaint at the counter or in an e-mail. The good thing about OpenGov was they communicated with the complainant and kept them updated as to the status and actions taken. That was why they wanted people to use that whenever possible.

Commissioner Blundo

said he would like the other option because he could not submit a complaint under the name of someone who was complaining to him. He had to put his name on it.

Mr. Waggoner

explained anyone’s name could be put in, and the Commissioners’ names could be added to any cases they were following so they were updated as well.

Commissioner Carbone

said Commissioner Blundo was looking for the other option for those who did not have e-mail.

Mr. Waggoner

said they put all complaints in OpenGov. For those who did not have e mail the Commissioners could put their e-mail in so they could keep the constituent updated. At Commissioner Jabbour’s request Mr. Waggoner explained the process when a complaint was received.

Commissioner Jabbour

talked about a property that had weeds at the corner of the fence line and the owner received a courtesy letter for that because someone complained. He said he was confused as to why so much time was being spent going after those people because a neighbor complained instead of prioritizing serious issues that should be addressed. February 15, 2022 26. Presentation of the quarterly report from the Planning Department regarding the status of Code Compliance cases-Cont’d.

Mr. Waggoner

explained part of if was because of the Property Maintenance Code adopted by a past Board. Once weeds got above a certain height, or dead trees or shrubs, they fell under the Property Maintenance Code.

Commissioner Carbone

stated the policy needed to be re-written and he asked

Commissioner Jabbour

to be part of the evaluation on that policy, which Commissioner Jabbour agreed to do.

Commissioner Blundo

asked about the trailer park situation on Blagg.

Mr. Waggoner

said that was with the court and a hearing was scheduled for March 1, 2022. Mark Kampf said he recently submitted a code compliance violation relative to campaign signs and he appreciated the way the County handled the problem. However, he recommended the Commissioners look at the OpenGov Web site as it only allowed someone to file a complaint on a specific property with no ability to file a complaint on general issues. He thought it would be helpful to have that ability. Sam Jones said a friend of his moved his mother to Pahrump and wanted to put a single-wide on a lot, but he was told single-wides were no longer allowed in Pahrump.

Mr. Jones

said people should be able to do what they wanted on their property as long as they were not harming anyone else in the process. 27. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation on ETSU-22-1: An application to extend the time of Tentative Commercial Subdivision TM-2017- 000009, a tentative subdivision map for a commercial subdivision on approximately 7.20 acres of property zoned Neighborhood Commercial (NC), located at 5060 E. Kellogg Road, Pahrump, NV. Assessor’s Parcel Number 043- 602-30. HHH Investments, LLC Property Owner. Taney Engineering Agent. — — This item was removed from the agenda. 28. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation on ETSU-22-2: An application to extend the time of Tentative Commercial Subdivision TM-2017- 000008, a tentative subdivision map application to allow a commercial subdivision on approximately 5.84 acres of property zoned Neighborhood Commercial (NC), located at 4900 E. Kellogg Road, Pahrump, NV. Assessor’s Parcel Number 045-171-67. HHH Investments, LLC Property Owner. Taney Engineering Agent. This item was removed from the agenda. February 15, 2022

Commissioner Strickland

asked Brett Waggoner to add to the Asana tracking addressing a Code amendment regarding the soils reports only being good for six months. She did not know if the Commissioners realized, but in order to do any type of construction in this particular RMPD a soils report was required and it was only good for six months. The cost for that report was between $1,500.00 and $2,200.00 and if the project was not started in six months the engineer had to do an amendment for an additional $250.00. Commissioner Strickland said there were big projects with soils reports that were expiring.

Commissioner Jabbour

said he was compelled to share again something that happened in July, 2021. When the heat wave came through Nevada and people were dying he received a call from a gentleman in Pahrump who wanted to know what he was going to do about the homeless who had no shelter, water or food and were just out there in the desert. Commissioner Jabbour said he would be there tomorrow. Commissioner Carbone and his wife joined Commissioner Jabbour and with their own money, vehicle February 15, 2022 38. Commissioners’IManaqer’s Comments (This item limited to announcements or topiclissues proposed for future workshopslagendas)-Cont’d. and time bought a pallet of water from Wal.-Mart as well as ice to distribute to the homeless in Pahrump. Before they went out to distribute it they ran into Darrell Lackey.

Commissioner Jabbour

asked Mr. Lackey if he could help them navigate to where the homeless were living so they did not struggle. Mr. Lackey responded he did not have time to coddle those people and walked away.

Commissioner Blundo

quoted Dr. Rand Paul, who said “Freedom was not defined by safety. Freedom was defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference. Government could not create a world without risks nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place.”

Commissioner Cox

said she was reviewing a document called a bi-weekly update from the RTC dated February 14, 2022, which she received from Assistant Public Works Director Tom BoIling. She did not think the answers were sufficient for a couple of items that both she and Commissioner Carbone had discussed with Public Works. One was the crack sealing on Pah rump Valley Boulevard to Gamebird, which stated it was still the same and at the Commissioners’ request a cost to chip seal overlay that portion of Pahrump Boulevard was being put together while they were engineering the road and gathering the funding to do that section. Mr. Boiling’s answer was ongoing with no other information. In the meantime, they had made a horrendous mess of that road with their so-called crack sealing. She thought it was a disgrace to the Commissioners to have a department do work like that and she was very upset about it. The second one was the guardraiis on Dandelion and Mount Charleston approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The report indicated they were currently in discussion with the selected contractor to get the work done. Commissioner Cox stated a bid was done and she did not know why it was being discussed, It should have been done by now. The last one was concrete channel removal on Linda and Highway 372 which had been in the works for months. Now five or six months later there was no change and she wondered what was going on. She said she would appreciate it if the County Manager would get some answers as to why things were not moving forward. Maria Zlotek cautioned the Commissioners, managers, department heads and elected officials to stick to the agenda item, which was for announcements or topics for future workshops or agendas.

Commissioner Blundo

told Tim Sutton he was looking at sponsoring an item and potentially funding from a different revenue source or road revenue source to address Pahrump Valley Boulevard. He knew through the RTC funding was very tight and that project was large.

Commissioner Cox

felt the Road Department had plenty of funding and did not need to go to the RTC. February 15, 2022 38. Commissioners’IManaqer’s Comments (This item limited to announcements or topiclissues proposed for future workshopslagendas)-Cont’d. Fire Chief Scott Lewis supported Commissioner Jabbour’s statements because they were spot on. Sam Merlino said she wanted to make it clear that she administered elections and followed state and federal law. She could not go rogue because she administered federal, state and local elections and she could not do whatever she wanted just because the people wanted her to do that. Whether she agreed with the law made no difference and she had to follow it. Mrs. Merlino explained she asked the Commissioners to wait to look into different election equipment because they just came upon re-districting and there was an election in 90 days. If a forensic audit was done or if the Commissioners decided to replace the equipment, it would take months to procure that equipment. She also could not train her staff or election workers in 90 days. She said when she first started paper ballots were used, but luckily there were only 15,000 registered voters back then. They had to lug around large ballot boxes and also scanned the ballots through an ES&S ballot system, which resulted in a lot of static and hours of re-running the ballots. In 2004 it went electronic and everyone loved it. It was fast and the results were quick. In 2018 tablets were used. After this year if the Commissioners wanted to have an agenda item to go to paper ballots or change the equipment that would be fine, but Mrs. Merlino stated there was just no time this year. As to paper ballots, she said with human error it would take two to three months to count them and get results. Regarding the question earlier about census numbers, Brett Waggoner advised it was 51,591 for Nye County.

Commissioner Strickland

asked if that was recognized because she understood he had to go to someone in the State to fight that.

Mr. Waggoner

said that was the State Demographer, and they ended up withdrawing the protest because the State Demographer did not take into account the census numbers because they were released so late in their process. They only used the information from 2010.

Commissioner Cox

asked for an item to discuss and repair the road that ran in front of the library that complaints had been made about and she was not getting any cooperation on. Samantha Tackett reminded public body members and staff of Open Meeting Law training on February 25, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. available in the Tonopah and Pahrump Commission chambers; March 2, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. available at the Beatty Justice Court as well as the Pahrump and Tonopah chambers; and March 8, 2022, at 10:00 am. available in all three locations. She also advised staff was working with the State Ethics Commission to get a representative to do a training course. ______________day February 15, 2022 38. Commissioners’IManager’s Comments (This item limited to announcements or topic/issues proposed for future workshopslaqendas)-Cont’d. Lorina Dellinger advised late last year Nye County was awarded the Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grant. She met with Stephanie Elliott, the County’s Contracts and Grants Manager, EPA representatives and the Nye Communities Coalition and had their kick-off meeting last Friday. The program would be heavily promoted and was an excellent opportunity for residents of the County.

Commissioner Carbone

adjourned the meeting. APPROVED this ATTEST: Of c:2_ 2022. , i cf

Chair Nyd

Couhty Clerk I Deputy