Ely officials opposed to attempts to dissolve city

Representatives from one of Nevada’s tiniest cities say they’re strongly opposed to attempts to dissolve the city.

Republican Sen. Pete Goicoechea is sponsoring SB238, which was discussed Friday in the Assembly Government Affairs Committee.

The measure would create a 2017 ballot question to break up the City of Ely and instead form a town that would be governed by White Pine County. Goicoechea and county officials said the measure would save money by reducing duplicated government services, like separate district attorneys and fire services. Ely Mayor Melody Van Camp said the city works more efficiently than the county and disincorporation isn’t needed. Ely has a population of slightly more than 4,000 people and lies in eastern Nevada. It’s one of the state’s 19 incorporated cities.