County hears public guardianship update

The Churchill County Board of Commissioners met last week discuss the public guardianship program update for fiscal year 2016-17.

Deputy Public Guardian Josh Cabral said the main impact legislatively on the county is that the way many of the bills were written is going to discourage private guardians or family members not in the public sector from taking on as many cases as they are currently.

“As a whole, the counties are going to see a lot more wards or protected people under the county because private citizens are not going to do it any more,” he said, noting the amount of hoops compared to before. “I think we’re going to see a huge rise in the amount of people (who) are going to fall under our umbrella.”

Social Services Director Shannon Ernst also discussed the interlocal agreement between the county and state Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Developmental Services. The county approved for FY 2018 contracted services not to exceed $8,430.30.

Ernst said this will safely keep the county in compliance with the state contract and not require immediately coming up with a program to address the potential for extraordinary costs due to recent legislative developments.

“So it’s really a team of us working together to make sure the proper services are being provided,” she summarized.

The Bureau of Land Management Carson City District provided an update including wildfires.

“The reason this year is so bad and will be bad is there’s just so much more per square foot,” said District Director Ken Collum of the high water year.

Collum also discussed the sage grouse habitat, Dixie Valley toad and said the Dixie Meadows public commenting period is over and feedback is now being evaluated.

Social Services’ Holly Meader shared about the annual Community Day happening Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon at Oats Park. She said there will be numerous community resources available as well as free school supplies, haircuts, vaccines, a clothing giveaway, scavenger hunt, bounce house, swimming, barbecue, ice cream treat and much more.

The board also approved the following:

Emergency solutions grant of $21,060 for FY2018.

Contract renewal for the county’s health officer for an annual sum of $1,000 to be used for public awareness and education as well as reappointed Ted McDonald as the county health officer for a two-year term.

For the Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department to acquire a Ford F-450 with a utility body for $57,631.63 from Fallon Ford-Toyota.

Transfer of the 2017 private activity bond cap allocation to Nevada Rural Housing Authority.

Application for community support funding of the LEAD Green Leadership Summit Aug. 4-5 in the amount of $2,000.

Certified the combined tax rate for the levy of taxes beginning July 1, 2017, and designated the number of cents of each $100 of property tax levy for each fund within the provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes.

Extension of time for recordation of parcel maps on Lone Tree Road for Leila Johnson consisting of 17 acres of non-water righted property.

The next meeting will be Aug. 3 at 8:15 a.m. in the chambers at 155 N. Taylor St.