Carson City and Washoe County are working together to fill the Nevada Senate District 16 vacancy after Sen. Ben Kieckhefer resigned earlier this month.
The Carson City Board of Supervisors met Thursday to confirm a process for appointing a candidate.
City Manager Nancy Paulson said during the meeting that Carson City would mirror Washoe County’s selection process for the sake of consistency. The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday to form their selection process.
Both groups agreed that the window for submitting applications for the position will open at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 22 and close at noon on Thursday, Oct. 28. The supervisors will interview applicants and select a single candidate to nominate at its meeting on Nov. 4, and the Washoe County Commissioners will do the same at their Nov. 9 meeting. Both will meet jointly Nov. 10 to select a final candidate from the pool.
Based on District 16’s population, Washoe County will have six votes and Carson City will have four votes toward their preferred candidates.
Those interested in the position will submit a letter of interest and resume to SD16application@washoecounty.gov, or drop off their documents at the Washoe County Administrative Complex on 1001 E. 9th St., Reno during normal business hours.An application of interest is available at https://www.washoecounty.gov/mgrsoff/files/bcc-appointments/2021/2021%20Senate%20District%2016%20Application_RV1.pdf.
Applicants must (1) be a qualified elector; (2) currently reside in Senate District 16 and have lived there as of September 29, 2021; (3) have been an actual, as opposed to constructive, citizen resident of Nevada for 1 year preceding the date of appointment; (4) be a registered member of the same political party as the outgoing Senator (Republican); (5) be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment; and (6) meet all other qualifications for the office as required by the Nevada Constitution and state law.Those interested in applying may verify their senate district through the Nevada Legislature's "Who's My Legislator" at https://nvlcb.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2cd4575624417fa56fd084a7ee4dd9..The search for a new candidate is being conducted immediately so that District 16 will have a representative at the legislature's Special Session to determine redistricting based on the 2020 U.S. Census.
Among other agenda items at their Thursday meeting, the supervisors also:
• Adopted two resolutions of intent to issue bonds for a new Fire Station and Quill Water Treatment Plant improvements. The resolutions of intent start a 90-day waiting period, allowing the city to possibly adopt a bond ordinance in late January. The bonds are currently estimated to be $8.1 million and $7 million, respectively, but the city is hoping to secure more federal earmarks for the projects, which may bring down the cost before their January meeting.
• Reappointed chair Michael Golden and member Jon Rodgers to the Carson City Airport Authority. The supervisors also appointed Harlow Norvell to the citizen-at-large position. Norvell has previously served on the authority.
• Authorized the city manager and district attorney to initiate litigation against the Travelers Indemnity Co. Travelers declined to provide defense or indemnity for a lawsuit threatened against the city in 2020, which violated their contract, according to the city. The threatened lawsuit was related to two lawsuits in 2019, in which parties alleged that a juvenile Camp Carson Summer Camp volunteer molested juvenile camp participants.
• Approved $265,000 for the V&T Engine House Arches in Mills Park. The conceptual designs call for a double archway in Oxoby loop, using sandstone from the historic V&T Railroad “round house” maintenance building.
