New county building official selected

Jera Reidenbach, a seven-year county employee, was recently selected as the new county building official and follows in the footsteps of her mentor, Marie Henson, who retired earlier this year.

Reidenbach started her career with Churchill County by splitting her time between the human resources and building departments. After a time, she decided to go full-time with the building department where she rose through the ranks serving as office specialist, permit technician, building inspector and finally, building official.

She has pursued professional development and training opportunities and has earned 16 International Code Council certifications on her way to earning the building official certification this past summer.

Reidenbach says one of the joys about her job is working with the public to help walk them through the sometimes complicated building codes. 

“Buildings codes are interesting and I’m always learning something new. Codes and techniques are never stagnant so there is always something more to learn,” she said. 

She added that the integration of the public works, planning and building functions into one department earlier this summer provides for better integration and communications with the ultimate goal of better public service.

Randy Hines, director of the Public Works, Planning & Building department, said with the departure of Henson, Reidenbach stepped right in to tackle the daily tasks left behind.  

“The knowledge she has gained working in the department over the last several years has made it a seamless transition into her new role as building official,” he said. “This, along with her willingness to learn, makes her an asset to the department.”  

Reidenbach can be reached via email at buildings@churchillcountynv.gov. She encourages visitors to make an appointment before stopping by as she is often out on inspections. The office is located at 270 S. Maine St., Suite A in Fallon.

Anne McMillin is the Churchill County public information officer.