County Commissioners voted Thursday to restructure an operations plan for the William N. Pennington Life Center.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
Churchill County Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to approve a restructuring plan for the William N. Pennington Life Center.
The recommendations included approving a restricting plan for the services offered to the county’s senior citizens, authorizing a notice which will terminate the lease with the Coalition of Senior Citizens to become effective July 1 and directing the comptroller to ensure the transition of finances, budgets and grants to the county with an effective date of July 1 depending on a vote from the coalition.
The county’s intent is to manage the Life Center’s budget and grants through Social Services and the comptroller’s office. The coalition will still manage grants that cannot be transferred.
The county undertook a study of the current model of the William N. Pennington Life Center and based on information, the commission said those services will be managed by the Churchill County Social Services Department, and the director will report to Social Services.
Furthermore, existing employees at the center will have the opportunity to become county employees, but they must re-apply for their positions. During the transition, the county will review the overall staffing needs for the Life Center.
In the meantime, County Manager Jim Barbee said former Commissioner Bus Scharmann will serve as interim manager.
“We have communicated with the state, and we obviously have a lot of state resources,” Barbee said.
Barbee added the purpose of the action is to expand opportunities and resources for the county’s senior citizens, which he called a vital population within the community.
Former County Commissioner Carl Erquiaga, whose wife is director of the Life Center, took aim at the plan.
“’Et tu Brute?’ You’ve taken the knife and put it in Bus Scharmann’s hands. You people are unbelievable,” Erquiaga said. “Welcome to the coup.”
Erquiaga said half the money for the operation comes from the city of Fallon.
“Is the city in on this, too. The blood goes farther,” he said.
With the changes to personnel and benefits, Erquiaga estimated the cost could be as much as $529,000 for 20 employees. He said Churchill County Comptroller Sherry Wideman indicated there would be no financial impact, but Erquiaga expressed skepticism feeling the plan will cost more in taxpayer funding.
Furthermore, Erquiaga said he sees no guarantee the current employees would be rehired under this plan. If employees aren’t rehired, Erquiaga asked if they would receive a severance package.
Buster Pierce, the Life Center’s Programs Services director, said the proposal was tied up with a nice little bow.
“I feel this is rushed and punitive,” said Pierce, at 10-year employee at the center.
Pierce wondered why there wasn’t input from employees at the center.
“We all want to see more programs and services,” he said.
Pierce said the Life Center employees worked hard during the pandemic when the center was closed but still providing meals to the area’s senior citizens.
“I can’t tell you the number of times we have been thanked,” he said.
Pierce, though, is worried like the other employees about their employment.
“Please tell me you’re not going to screw them,” he said. “The staff is living paycheck to paycheck. They love their jobs.”
Phyllys Dowd, retired business manager for the Churchill County School District, has been working on a contract consulting the coalition and is shocked with the speed to approve the plan.
“My heartburn is the speed it’s happening,” she said. “I don’t understand the rush today.”
Dowd said she was told the comptroller hasn’t done a financial study, and she believes the staff wasn’t involved in the study.
Commissioners also approved a motion to accept a job description for a senior center manager who authorizes the recruitment and hiring. According to the county’s discussion, “This position will be responsible for supervising operations, activities, volunteers, and staff of a senior center, and to ensure provision of home-delivered and congregate meals and transportation for seniors in the community.”
The recommendation is to pay the manager an annual salary between $60,700-$81,700, which is comparable to surrounding counties. Commissioners said the existing budget and funding source will be sufficient to fund this new position.
City of Fallon Councilwoman Karla Kent spoke on behalf of Mayor Ken Tedford and said he’s in agreement with the commissioners’ plan.
Melanie Keener spent 20 years in law enforcement.
“I’ve seen more dedication out of the employees at the senior center than all my years in law enforcement,” she said, claiming coalition members had no advance warning on the plan.
Keener, the center’s operations manager, also said she has doubts the county will keep employees in their jobs and questions the fiscal benefits.
“You’re blowing smoke over the community,” she said.
Commission Chairman Pete Olsen said the plan will help both the county and city expand services.
“The county is taking a larger role,” he said.
Olsen said changes are hard and difficult.
Commissioner Greg Koenig said the plan feels rushed and clumsy.
“You should’ve gotten more input,” he said.
Koenig, though, still voted for the plan.
The first-term commissioner said he hopes the employees retain their jobs. He strongly recommended and advised all employees who want to return should be able to remain at the Life Center.
Barbee, though, also said the county can’t guarantee anyone’s position.
Commissioner Justin Heath said he agreed with the changes. He said Lyon and Washoe counties have this plan.
