Lyon commissioners cancel facilitator in county manager dispute

YERINGTON - After hiring facilitator Ruth Urban, of Las Vegas, to work out problems two commissioners had with Lyon County Manager Donna Kristaponis, the Lyon County Commission has canceled the contract.

At Tuesday's meeting, Commissioner Bob Milz, who asked the item be placed on the agenda, made it clear he didn't think one-on-one meetings with a facilitator would be helpful, and that a retreat was preferable.

"Meeting one-on-one with one commissioner at a time won't accomplish a darn thing," he said. "A retreat, where all five can meet with Donna, I feel we can work it out by ourselves. If Ruth Urban or someone else facilitates it, fine, but one-on-one won't accomplish a darn thing."

In September, the commission held a special meeting to consider Kristaponis' termination from her job, after she refused a request for her resignation from Milz and Commissioner Phyllis Hunewill. A wave of support by county department heads, elected officials and others persuaded the commission to accept a facilitator to help work things out. One session was scheduled for late January and one for March.

Hunewill was surprised by the issue Tuesday, and said she believed a facilitator was necessary. "I don't think just sitting down to talk is going to do it," she said.

Commissioner Leroy Goodman also thought a facilitator was necessary.

"I think it's important for commissioners to meet one-on-one with Ruth Urban," he said. "A retreat without talking would be frustrating for Urban and the commissioners."

Kristaponis said she preferred a facilitator, but was not opposed to a retreat.

"I've always supported a retreat," she said. "But I think it needs to be facilitated."

She added she was willing to do whatever the commissioners decided on.

Human Resources Director Steve Englert said he already canceled the contract with Urban, whose Las Vegas company has been handling mediations since 1998. Englert added the contract could be reinstated, or a new one created.