Congressman addresses county commissioners

Churchill County commissioners Oct. 3 heard remarks from Nevada U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei in addition to conducting regular business.

Amodei addressed the board, first regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency budget rumors and recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene. He said there was about $1.8 billion in the FEMA budget as of Sept. 30. He also said that when Congress passed the recent continuing resolution there was over $22 billion available in that budget.

“So, and I know this (meeting) is being streamed out,” Amodei said, emphatically. “There is money for FEMA to conduct their operations in terms of providing that lifesaving, immediate help to those folks in those five states in the southeast.”

Second, Amodei said that the Secret Service is also fully funded to purchase anything needed to safely work through the November presidential election and inauguration in January.

Amodei added resources through the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are available to Nevada and, specifically, to Churchill County. He encouraged the board to take advantage of the agency’s expertise to look at security recommendations for security protection improvements.

Amodei said that discussions about county reimbursement for building the weir and a maintenance agreement for Sand Canyon Road are in progress. Finally, Amodei said he had been speaking with the Navy’s lawyers to follow up and confirm the Navy completes the list of things involved with the NASF expansion bill. For example, he wants to ensure ranchers with grazing permits affected by the agreement are actually receiving the promised compensation.

“We’re keeping a close eye on that,” Amodei said.

The county also conducted a swearing-in ceremony for the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department 2024-25 officers and approved funding for the Maine Street “Spooktacular” Halloween event.

Second Assistant Chief Kenneth “Russ” Jonte and Third Assistant Chief Mitch Young were sworn to a year of service as officers in the Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department by Deputy Clerk of the Board Pamela Moore. Board members Chris Henning and Destry Johnson will also be sworn in at a later date.

Commissioners approved $2,070 in community support funding to support the Oct. 31 Maine Street “Spooktacular.” Coordinator Jessica Huckaby said 2,500 children attended the event last year and the funds would go towards event insurance, portable bathrooms and candy supplies. The “Spooktacular” is a safe environment for kids to trick or treat and do Halloween activities including bounce houses, pumpkin painting and stories read by law enforcement representatives. This year the free event has expanded with the addition of a partnership with the Search and Rescue “Trunk or Treat” and is expected to fill three blocks of Maine Street, from Williams Avenue to Stillwater Avenue.

Commissioners also discussed and/or took action on the following agenda items:

• Approved a resolution declaring certain equipment of the Churchill County Road Department as surplus property and authorized the disposal of said property in any manner.

• Accepted $8,053 in funding from the Aging and Disability Services Division for Social Services to replace a laundry washer and dryer at the William N. Pennington Life Center.

• Approved to declare some Churchill County Road Department equipment as surplus property and authorized its disposal. Joseph Sanford, district attorney, said it would likely be sold at a public auction.

• Approved the appointment of Paul Harmon to fill the unexpired term of Sean Richardson on the Board of Directors for Fallon Golf Course, Inc.

• Approved $49,500 for A&K Earth Movers to demolish the building at 60 W. Richards St.

• Recognized Moore for her work on organizing the Jim Regan Golf Tournament.

• Approved $9,500 from seizure funds and/or the Churchill Community Coalition to the Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of a replacement narcotic-sniffing K-9 officer.

The department’s previous K-9 officer, Bear, passed away Sept. 10 from a tumor and autoimmune disease. Following a funeral procession through town he was laid to rest with the honors befitting his faithful service to the community.

• A video replay of this meeting is available on YouTube at the “ChurchillCounty” channel. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 1:15 p.m. in the Commission Chambers 155 N. Taylor St.