Finding a public defender, filling county jobs, and improving JD Ranch Road were among the issues before Eureka County Commissioners on Oct. 6.
The board advanced plans to seek public defender proposals, heard that approximately 20 county positions were vacant, and reviewed road work prompted by concerns about deliveries and livestock shipping.
Public Defender Search
Homa Sayyar, deputy director of the Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services, outlined a contracting process covering attorney qualifications, client communication, workload, and reporting. The county's current arrangement followed the retirement of the longtime contract attorney, and expires in December.
Sayyar proposed posting the request before Nov. 1 to bring the process into line with the county's indigent defense plan. She cautioned that costs could rise because current rates are below the applicable minimum.
Chairman Rich McKay asked what would happen if no attorneys applied. Sayyar assured Commissioners that the state department would help find another arrangement to keep representation available for people who cannot afford an attorney.
District Attorney Ted Beutel asked about evaluating applicants. Sayyar explained that the department could provide information about eligible attorneys, while the county would make the selection.
JD Ranch Road
Road Supervisor Scooter Mentaberry reported complaints from Grass Valley and JD Ranch residents prompted him to redirect southern crews from other assignments. A rancher raised delivery concerns while preparing to ship calves and haul hay.
Crews had graded about 20 miles over the previous month and applied magnesium chloride to roughly 10 miles to help hold the surface together.
Mentaberry explained that a water supply that had been down during the summer had returned, but uneven flow could leave crews waiting more than an hour to fill a truck before reaching the work area. Mentaberry stated he was working with Nevada Gold Mines on a more dependable connection.
Staffing and Code Enforcement
Human resources consultant Stacy Collette reported approximately 20 vacancies, including nine positions in the Sheriff's Office. Plans include improving recruitment, helping supervisors use the hiring system, and scheduling interviews regularly.
Sheriff Miles Umina outlined work with human resources and the district attorney on a code enforcement and civil administrator position, including refining the job description, pursuing a hiring-freeze waiver, and arranging training while ordinance provisions are developed.
The discussion followed a resident's request during public comment to address property-maintenance concerns. Umina described the issue as extending beyond one community. No ordinance was adopted.
Sheriff Umina reported three mental-health crises during the preceding week, coordination with emergency medical services, and one major felony incident and arrest.
Commissioners approved the fiscal 2026-27 agreement with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office for forensic-science services as needed.
Airport, Buildings, and Recreation
Commissioners ratified a $113,000 airport grant covering valley-gutter replacement and design work for resealing the runway, taxiway, and apron. They approved Sierra Nevada Construction's $84,150 gutter proposal and contract-signing authority. Staff confirmed the work was completed and funded through the grant, with a county match.
Commissioners allowed the courthouse heating-and-cooling replacement and related mini-split work to proceed, with billing to return for ratification at the next meeting. Staff explained that overall figures were correct, but the project breakdown needed clarification for invoice tracking and audits.
Public Works reported that the Crescent Valley park walking track was nearing completion, and exercise equipment was being prepared for installation. Pool coping installation was expected by late October after manufacture and shipment. No reopening date was announced.
Recreation Board Chairman Elmer Porter advised that declining tourism revenue could mean a smaller budget. Ball-field and downtown improvements remained proposals; no recreation project was approved.
Technology and Other Business
Commissioners approved a one-year Cisco Webex renewal through Quest for up to $15,280.20. Staff described moving more telephone service toward Microsoft Teams and First Digital to reduce costs and simplify access.
The board approved $23,038.66 for fiber between Tank Hill and the vault outside the VAC, and up to $10,400 for Ironclad support and training. Expenditures totaling $3,147,191.32 included road maintenance, a landfill study, retiree insurance, and building maintenance.
Commissioners canceled Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 meetings, scheduling Nov. 12 to canvass the election, and proclaimed Oct. 26 to 29 Red Ribbon Week. Juvenile Probation Officer Steve Zimmerman outlined school activities in Eureka and Crescent Valley.
Commissioners approved November conference travel for Zimmerman and Marilyn Strickland-Adams, with Zimmerman reporting that PACE Coalition would reimburse registration, hotel, and airfare, and extended two employees' catastrophic-leave waiver by 90 days.
Other actions included the September wine walk and VFW car show road-closure ratifications, event fee waivers, and exchanging Nick Collins' and Laura Shivers' member and alternate roles on the Crescent Valley Medical Services Advisory Committee. Local Emergency Planning Committee and Central Nevada Health District reports were postponed.
