Lyon County may hike fees for brothel work cards

The cost of doing business for Lyon County brothel workers will be going up if the commissioners approve an amendment to the brothel ordinance.

Sheriff Allen Veil has requested an amendment that increases the work card fees from $50 to $100.

All brothel workers are required to have a work card, not just those working as prostitutes.

"It hadn't been increased for an extremely long time," said District Attorney Bob Auer.

He said the costs to the sheriff's office, whose employees have to fingerprint and photograph the employees and then deliver the cards, were higher than the income brought in by the fees. The amendment will also increase the frequency of herpes testing for those working as prostitutes.

It will also prevent a brothel worker from getting a work card if the employee has been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia. The brothel ordinance now prohibits cards to those convicted of possessing, using, or selling drugs, but did not include paraphernalia.

The amendment will be introduced at today's commission meeting, where a commissioner will propose it. Then a public hearing will be held at the next meeting, Auer said.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.

If you go

WHAT: Lyon County Commission meeting

WHEN: 9 a.m. today

WHERE: Lyon County administrative building, 27 South Main St., Yerington

CALL: 775-463-6531