Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”
In last weeks paper In the listing of candidates, Mike Coster’s email was incorrect . Please send Coster messages at costerwpc@gmail.com.
County Commission Meeting and Special Fire Commission Meeting
March 23, 2016
Road Commission
Georgetown road was flooded and no determination could be made as to where the water was coming from. All pipes were checked to see if anything was broken and everything same to be fine. The road department dug 2 feet down into the road and everything was dry. They dug a 3 foot ditch on each side of the road and in hours it was filled. They could find no reason for the flooding but the road was repaired and has remained in good condition.
Special Fire Commission
Resolution to 2016-07 to augment the fire district fund by $18,000 to cover costs associated with interlocal agreement with the city of Ely for temporary fire protection services. All were in agreement with the exception of Carson who voted no.
$52,930.00 was received for callout revenues. This payment was for the county volunteers fighting fires in California and Idaho.
County Commission
Coster – Ordnance 461 to implement The provisions of NRS 490 pertaining to the operation of off highway vehicles on White Pine County Roads public roads.
Fourteen year old can operate these ATVs, they need a licensed driver to accompany them. (My truck was T boned by a 10 year old in McGill.)
Helmets need to be worn, the driver needs to be aware of traffic laws and other activities such as hikers and horseback riders.
Captain Scott Henriod does not support this. There needs to be insurance and drivers should be licensed. This should include fines or penalties. ATVs are single person operated and a licensed driver on another vehicle cannot gain control of the vehicle. There should be only licensed operators, ATVs should not be an exception to motorcycles and motor vehicles that have to be driven by licensed operator.
McKenzie – This should state “to cross highway”.
Sheriff Watts – I believe you can travel the road for two miles.
Coster “I feel you should be in ear shout of a licensed driver.”
“I will come back with an option of parents insurance”
( Many families do actives on ATVs. These actives should be done out of towns and away from highways or major roads. Most families trailer their ATVs. How much can you hear when your on a ATV? People need to know ATVs are not a toy. Henriod makes a lot of sense, I believe this should not pass as written.)
Solicitation of Public Input and Outreach to Future Road Tax uses and Designation of County Staff to Coordinate and Report on Public Input.
Coster -” In order to pass the vehicle fuel tax, we need to let people know what we will use the money for. Other counties are taking advantage of this and I feel we should too. If the voters don’t go for this, I feel we will be the step child county of the state”
Mike Wheable “How are you going to let people know which roads will be affected?”
Perea “This is going to be a ballot question and I don’t know if we can spend county time or money to support one side over another.”
Coster “We need to get information out so there is fertile and good informed environment for people to support the tax.” (How is the money going to be divided between county and City of Ely?)
This is a tax on Diesel and specialty vehicle fuels. The tax is for ten years and increases each year. There are way too many questions and very few questions. The pro people say the travelers will pay the tax, but I feel the citizens will pay the lions share. There also say gas prices are low, will they stay low? The revenue from this tax will go to road improvement and maintenance for both the county and the city of Ely, but who gets what? It has been suggested that more roads could be maintained, but there is a limit as to how many miles can be maintained and some would have to be removed from the list and others added. Roads like Pinyon Pine Lane would have to be brought up to standards by the residence before it could be a maintained road. (I am sorry, but I feel this will hurt more than help.)
Presentation – Brittany Carter
Acquisition of Lund Grade School
Brittany Carter representing The Lund Grade School Committee ask the commission to acquire the grade school from the White Pine County School District. The district tried to sell the school for $110,000., it did not sell. This committee has used the school for meeting and other functions, now they would like to combine it with the museum. Using it as a community center and museum, Grants could be had for the up keep and maintenance of the building and grounds.
The commission wanted to know how much the school district wanted for the property. Carter said she would follow up with Mr. Dolezal and come back to the commissioners.
Make changes to White Pine County EMS Special Events/Standby fees and how they are assessed.
Fees were $100 per ambulance required plus payment to each volunteer. For large events fees will change to only one $100. fee even if there are 3 or 4 ambulances needed, payments to volunteers will remain the same.
Howe “We need to charge fees and not wave them for one group over another. We can make it a county donation.”
Coster – “When we have nonprofit groups we can provide the service free, but for profit groups we need to charge.”
( Here we go again, make a rule and break it. This is why there is misunderstanding and groups always wanting fees waived. I feel if the commissioners want to wave fees, they should pay the fees. I do remember Bunny Hill writing a check to cover fees for a group. Maybe they can wave the fees and taxes for those who make less then $1500 a month, oh they need the revenue so they can waive fees.)
Once again I encourage you to call the commissioners and give them your thoughts, they need it.
Laurie Carson
293-3134
Mike Coster
293-2933
Richard Howe
287-2851
Carol McKenzie
238-5384
Gary Perea.
293-7356
Geri Wop