Churchill County commissioners approved $106,010 in funding on Dec. 18 for Churchill Animal Protection Society to repair the kennels and interior of the office building. From left: Commissioner Justin Heath, Rebecca Dugan, Julia Ameil, Genevieve Jaslowski and Commissioner Myles Getto.
Sara Dowling | NNG
Churchill County Commissioners Bus Scharmann and Justin Heath presided over the last meeting in their respective terms Dec. 18 by presenting fourth-quarter employee service awards and approving additional funding for the Churchill Animal Protection Society.
Nathan Nollan (sheriff’s office), Taylor Clark (district court) and Levi Coonce (sheriff’s office) each received recognition for five years of service. Daniel Michel (sheriff’s office) was also recognized for his 15 years of service.
Commissioners approved $106,010 in additional funding for CAPS to patch, apply epoxy coating and seal the kennel floors and also to demolish and replace the interior of the office building. The county previously supplied $17,000 in quarterly installments at a September meeting. To raise money for a new boiler and well repairs, CAPS representatives have held multiple fundraisers this year, including a spaghetti dinner, silent auction, a glow-in-the-dark 5K race and a doggy fashion show.
Commissioners also discussed and/or took action on the following agenda items:
• Accepted the annual comprehensive financial report for the general Churchill County and CC Communications for fiscal year 2024 as presented by Comptroller Sherry Wideman and auditor Kelli Jones of Hinton Burdick.
• Approved to reallocate $100,000 from the Extraordinary Repairs Fund and $400,000 from the Navy Range Training Complex funds to renovate the Dry Gulch building at the Rafter 3C complex.
• Approved an actuarial study of OPEB liabilities under governmental accounting standards board 75 by MacLeod Watts with $9,200 for fiscal year 2025 and $4,050 for fiscal year 2026.
• Approved Chris Spross to serve another two-year term on the Fallon Golf Course board of directors until December 2026.
• Approved a professional services contract with Julie Guerrero-Goetsch following her retirement last month after 20 years as the county’s administrative service manager. The temporary contract of less than 80 hours is for her assistance with transitioning the Navy conservation grants program, water monitoring and water grants programs for which she was previously responsible to new managers.
At the close of the meeting, Heath and Scharmann received a round of applause.
“I just want to thank you and tell you that it’s really been an honor and a joy working with you for the last seven years,” County Manager Jim Barbee said. “I commend you on your service to the community.”
Heath thanked everyone for being great to work with over the past four years.
“To the new commissioners, I hope you kind of carry on what we’ve got planned and continue to bring in affordable housing to the community,” Heath said. “Always remember we’ve got those people that still need help and with the new apartment complex we have going through, I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
Scharmann echoed the sentiments and also shared words of praise and gratitude for everyone he has worked with in the county and thanked his family.
A video replay of this meeting is available on YouTube at the “ChurchillCounty” channel.