Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

I went onto the website, entered my address, and it recognizes that there's going to be construction in the area. but it only gives me options to sign up for a data plan or an internet plan. I don't see an option for the drop. So maybe check that because it only gives me three options for one plan with seven devices, seven plus devices or the one gig plan.

Um, so since this has been on here and I think you've been very clear, Curtis, I'll make the motion to approve. Okay.

No, I didn't want you to get lost, Rex, because you look razor focused.

It says we're supposed to direct staff to. Provide a recommendation to the state engineer.

Yeah. Good question. So, Curtis, they're moving the water somewhere less than 2,000 feet? Um... Let me take a look here. And just barely across the border. That doesn't go from one basin to a different basin?

But we're only seeing this because statutorily it's crossing from one county to the next. Yep. And that is what has to come to us.

Which is going to be very little, the underground – in Elko County already has a water problem, so they're not going to be using much in Elko County. It'll be very minor, probably for dust suppression about it.

Mr. Chair, since I live up at the... some of the states which is very close to this and i'm actually the president of the board i don't they've been much better to communicate with on getting their races done before a lovely time of one or two or three in the morning so we haven't had the issues we had years ago so i don't have a problem renewing their lease so i john would make the motion to approve continuation of that lease agreement you have a motion brian second and a second any other discussion

Okay. We, we tabled this at our last meeting because Mr. Simpson wanted to do his own letter. I did that first letter and he thought it was a little harsh. So he did his own that's attached to our agenda here. And, uh, Just for the audience, Mr. Simpson's asking us to send letters to President Trump and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, and Health and Human Services. And he's asking them, the Health and Human Services, to declare smoke a health hazard. And he wants the Interior and Agriculture people to allow the use of the horses in the national park. And two years ago, his plan was t

Forty five thousand. Forty five thousand. Thank you. That's the number I saw.

I froze up there and I don't have it written down. Forty five thousand. But I did the math. The forty five thousand times the sixty thousand. That's two point seven billion dollars. And that just keeps increasing every year. And I just feel to continue that path is insanity. And I think it's time we try something new. And I think it's important to remember we're just asking them to consider this as a pilot program. And we can see how it works. We can tweak it any way we want. And we'll have a seat at the table because the letter says we want a seat at that table when they develop that MOU. And

So we're contemplating whether to submit this letter for ourselves, correct? Yes. Are we debating it now or are we waiting until we get a motion first?

I absolutely agree that we definitely have a problem with horses. I absolutely agree that we definitely have a problem with fire. A couple of years ago, we hardly couldn't grow anything because the sun actually never reached the planet for all the smoke that we had in the air. Yeah. So there is a problem. Definitely there is a problem. I have cattle myself. I have seen dead horses choke out because they have no water on places that I graze where I wasn't pumping the water because it wasn't my turn. It wasn't time. Our condition right now is not humane for the horses. It is not good. from any a

My thoughts, I'd rather see these horses grazing than in a holding pen. And if they can be put to work, just like a goat herd or a cattle herd, it's a step in the right direction. So I would be supportive of this if the herds are sterile and they're not breeding and the herds that are in the holding pens or that are gathered are released in Oregon to graze.

And that's, that's not the plan though, Travis. And I was pretty adamant about that. We want to take them off the local County ranges.

Well, if, if we have enough, it's the letter itself says Northern Nevada, preferably Elko County. And I did that on purpose because I want to help our ranchers by getting those horses off. And if this pilot program proves successful, then maybe someday we can start taking them out of the holding facilities also.

Yeah, and I support that. And that's even better than taking them out of the holding pens. But if there's sufficient to take them out of the holding pens too, out of Elko County or wherever, they could go straight from the gathers to Oregon or wherever there's space, wherever the other states would be. would welcome them or, or allow it. Um, uh, but yeah, I, I, I think this is a step in the right direction because right now I am against holding horses. The, the wild horse and burrow act actually requires the excess horses, horses be slaughtered and the law is not being followed. and uh even ev

And to your point about massaging the letter, I don't think it's necessary at this time. We're just asking them to consider that MOU and allow us at the table. And I think that's the time when we can work out those details. And we're done with the discussion. I'll make the motion that we approve this letter, and I'd like to send that fire map with it. I forgot to include this, but I took that screenshot of watch duty on August 26th. I think it's important to include that. Those were the fires that were occurring at 6.30 in the morning on August 26th. And then I'd like to send that to the presi

I better state why I'll be voting against it. I truly applaud what you're saying, Rex, and all the efforts you've done on it. But I've stewed and stewed and stewed, and I have absolutely zero faith in environmental firms to not use this as a bargaining tool. that feral horses are now a great grazing and we shouldn't be even pulling them out of Nevada because they're a fantastic tool to prevent fire. I have no faith in that not happening. I also don't believe we should be doing anything to benefit these feral animals other than getting them off the range. They serve no purpose other than emotio

Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I also will be voting against against this. And it's painful for me to do because I like the idea of doing something different because what we're currently doing is not working. But what I see, and hopefully it's just a pipe dream, what I see is the possibility that so this works. We say we establish a herd in Northern California. Let's say it works. Remember, this is in Oregon. Okay, wherever it is. Oregon.

The Six Rivers is in Northern California is my understanding. Okay.

Well, then I'll quit. Well, wherever it is. So we establish a wild horse herd there. And let's say it actually does work. And let's say, for instance, that it doesn't, that the horses don't exponentially reproduce. Let's say that the bears and the wolves can eat the horses to keep them down flat to a controlled population. And let's pretend, that the horses aren't able to escape and get out onto other public land that is currently grazed with a permit by a current rancher. And let's pretend that it doesn't explode there as it has exploded here. Let's say it's all 100% successful. Then what? An

Well, the only response I can make to that is, in my opinion, that's just fear-mongering. You've got some fear that something might happen. I mean, how can you argue with that? That's our job to monitor the program and make adjustments as needed and make sure that it does not happen. That's our job.

But I don't want the ranchers in Bend to curse my name for having put this program forward when it explodes there because there's fluffy horse lovers also in Bend.

William, I think we got your point. Let's let some other people. Thanks.

Appreciate your testimony. As to point of clarification, that letter that you're requesting, would that be total removal or just down to ALM by 2028?

Sure. Of course. Is it proper to, maybe this is a question from Rand, is that Mr. Simpson is on the line. Can we follow up with Marlo's question and ask him if he'd support a letter to the president? William, would you like to answer that question? Would you be willing to send a letter to President Trump urging him to get our allotments down to AML?

Whoa, William, whoa. You're not answering the question. There is documented AMLs. That's the question.

William, that was not the question. I'm taking that as a no. You're not willing to support the AMLs as they exist.

That's all we need. You've had your chance. Okay, I'd like to address a couple other things too. Well, I think it was Marlo that asked what have we done since 2024. He did send hundreds of letters to the timber companies. They just did not respond. So that shot that plan down. So it's not like we did nothing or he did nothing. And I want to respond to what Dimar said. That was when the Small Business Administration was here a month or so ago. They were talking about the economics of this problem, and that was raised at that meeting. And I just did some quick math. We have 60,000 horses in hold

No, I am too, and I think that's what creates a lot of the distrust of this proposed pilot program is the mixed messages from the Wild Horse Fire Brigade. That concerns me also. Okay. Well, again... It concerns me also, but the bottom line, I feel... I wanna do something to try to help. And if we have a seat at the table, I feel we can guide it. And so I'm still gonna support the plan. I understand everybody's concern.

I think that motion is good. I'll make that motion. Rex makes that motion.

Especially everybody in the ranch team really pays attention to those. That's a pretty small investment.

Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. This is John. I'll make a motion to approve the quote from fifth gear power sports, but I would appreciate in the future that we have stating it and all that because there's some question on the other one. Sorry, I was thinking of the four-wheeler one down below, but either way. Okay. I'm sorry. Sorry, I was looking at the four-wheeler one that we didn't have the official ones to look at. I was there to discrepancy, but... Anyway, the fifth-year Powers Ford bid for $9,805.25. Correct. Seconds?

No, I don't think the quotes were first on here on G1 when I read it.

So I wasn't correcting myself. Anyway, they need to be included further.

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Yeah, I'm kind of new here. What exactly is done with this money?

Aye. Aye. Aye. Vote aye. Awesome. Motion carries. Real quick. Sorry, Domo. No problem. I don't think I need to disclose it. I've had a couple renters in the past that have qualified for this, but it's been very, very infrequent, and I didn't even think about it. So I'm telling Rand and the group right now, I don't think I should abstain because I've had like two in 10 years, but I totally forgot about it. But there's my disclaimer. Yeah, I think you're okay.

Man, is there any reason why we wouldn't approve this?

Well, then I, John, will make the motion to approve that as presented.

Question. Yes. We have received improper communication about, is this the issue from the deputies that this contract? No.

Sure, I'll go first there, Delmo. Mine aligned, my ratings aligned very closely to these numbers here, including the personnel management. And I personally... Gave a slightly lower score than, well, probably about the 4.3 simply because my lack of knowledge on how well she handles personnel. It has nothing to do if she does a good job or bad. It has to do with my own knowledge of how well she does it. That's the only reason I gave her a lower score on that part. Everything else, I think she's very, very high on. especially decision-making problem solving. I think we are extremely fortunate to

And I'll leave that as a motion or not as a motion until we're all done talking up to you there, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Gale? Well, I'm relatively new here. Amanda's the first county manager I've ever had the privilege of working with, and I'm absolutely amazed at how well she handles everything, particularly keeping me informed at any old question I have. And I will often ask her a question at some odd hour, and I don't expect a response. But there it comes, lickety-split. And I really appreciate your efforts, Amanda.

Rex? Yeah, I think she does an amazing job. And we're damn lucky to have her. And I was here for the previous county manager, and you can't believe the level of improvement.

I don't understand the 9 to 10, that stuff. We need to pay her whatever it takes to keep her here. So if that's what we're doing and I'm all for it.

I agree. Amanda is a great asset to the County. Great leader. As, as John said, um, I've been very impressed with her decision-making province solving skills, her leadership, the way she handles everyone, um, everyone from us to difficult citizens to, um, problems in the department, she's able to bring everybody together. I think that's a great, great attribute that she can build consensus and cohesion and keep everybody moving in the same direction. So it's just my last four years have just been amazing because of you, Amanda, and I hope that you'll continue for many more years. So I'm defini

There's always room for improvement with all of us. Agreed.

uh and also you know to stay focused and diligent but um i'm very impressed and and thank you for thank you for the smooth um leadership for the county thank you oh good i gotta go last um that's because you're always so brief with your time and i'm gonna be brief here too um

It's so impressive to me. She just stepped in so quickly. I couldn't imagine it could be that seamless, and it was.

I don't think she stepped in. I think we pushed her in. It was a nice shove.

So with that. I'll just say you were totally right. I'm going to add to that, not to try to cut you off unless you had the last one. No, go ahead. But that's part of what I was talking about. Her political savvy is lacking in our community of how well she has it, but some of our other leaders could learn from it. Is that a nice way to say that without digging? Okay, there you go.

Yeah, yesterday, I wasn't very right. Yes, I have some comments, Mr. Chair. I was on the internal school board, school, Ocoa County School District Capital Meeting Committee yesterday, and I think there are some issues. So there's a very, very, very likely chance we will have a review of their tax increment on the next agenda, on the next commission agenda. Okay. Thank you.

Hey, it looks like another year. That's right. As the self-appointed arts and culture commissioner, I want to invite you all to the Elko Community Concert Association, 81st year in Nevada. Elko County has one of the, probably the oldest community concert associations in the state of Nevada. And the reason is we're so rural that We're not on the tour for most performers because we're a small community and we're very far from everywhere else. So we have to bring them here. And this nonprofit, Elko Community Founders Association, does that and has done it for 84. This is the 81st year. So I encou

Travis, you guys have done a great job rebuilding that program. Congratulations.