Geri Wopschall Around The County

Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”

White Pine County Commission meeting – September 14, 2016

Before the meeting started, it was noted the American Flag was placed in the wrong location. It was placed on the left (stage few) of the Nevada and Country Flags. This was quickly rectified. Then it was noted that the American flag was much lower than the Nevada Flag. With some deliberation it was decided to cut the bottom off the Nevada state flag. A maintenance person was found and the pole was cut. Now the American flag is slightly higher than the Nevada flag. I was thinking the flags had been put on the wrong poles.

4. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States (the viewer’s left). When the flag is half-masted, both flags are half-masted, with the US flag at the mid-point and the other flag below.

Public comment

Ed Spears pointed out that the agenda Item C 3 was incorrect. It is an ordinance to change the hotel room tax rate from 9% to 11 1/2%. The current room tax rate is 11%. This should be tabled.

Fire Commission- (I personally do not think the Country Commissioners should be the Fire Commission) There was no update on the fire district feasibility study. There should be a final draft submitted soon.

The correspondence from the White Pine County Fire Chief Association discussion was tabled until the district attorney could be present.

Six people were sent to the memorial service for the fire fighter who lost his life on  the Strawberry fire. This expense was okayed by Gary Perea. There was some discussion on Perea’s right to OK this expense. Perea did offer to pay the bill himself, but the commissioners voted to pay the expense. There were six firefighters who attended this memorial in Montana.

Fire chief Tim Woolever stated that you were not allowed to travel representing the county fire department unless you are under paid status.

The sheriff station does attend such memorial services for fallen officers, but this is done on a volunteer basis and the expenses are not reimbursed by the sheriffs or the county.

The decision was made to look into a policy that would cover the expenses of firemen traveling to a memorial service.

Ordinance 465, Bill number 08–2 4–16 A, an ordnance creating a White Pine County Board of Health and its duties and powers pursuant to NRS chapter 439 was approved. The payment for this position was to be $25 and was changed to $50.

(This is a position that has been a long needed and White Pine County.)

County will be changing internet service. Westnet (Atom Splash) has proposed service at $18,000 a month at a savings of $11,576 a year. The school district is using this service now.

Mike Coster inquired about the disconnect fees to disconnect from AT&T. There is no disconnect fee because we are month to month with AT&T.

Approved

New contract agreement between the Board of County Commissioners, County of White Pine and Randy Long, golf professional. Randy did send a letter to the commissioners stating his feelings about the new contract and felt that it was not a good contract. Long objected to the closing date of December 1, and not paying his family insurance.  He would like the county to offer $15,000 to hire an assistant.

Long has a special contract, unlike any other employee. Long has the use of the clubhouse in which he conducts his own business.

There was much discussion about some negotiation and the possibility of opening it up to a new golf professional. Since the contract is up January 1 a decision has to be made.

Agreed to submit contract as is, with possible time frame  negotiation.  Answer to come in two weeks at the next Commission meeting.

The reduction of hours from eight hours to seven hours per day for a 35 hour work week for the administrative assistant and management assistant senior positions in the Community and economic development department as approved on the final budget. This action was to be official as of September 13. However The commissioners decided to postpone it until October 1. The commissioners all question this action and Gary Perea said he had something in the works and would like to postpone it until then. Perea would not state what his plans were. The commission did vote to postpone this until October 1.

(The commissioners need to cut the payroll costs. They have started at the lowest possible levels to do these cuts. Although I do not disagree with these cuts, the cuts should come from the top. I do realize that a department head should make more than anyone under them and maybe that’s why they are starting at the bottom. This is a very slow process that they are doing and is not very helpful at balancing the budget. I do believe that they are in the bonsai tree business.)

The county is not doing all they can to save our taxpayer dollars. This has been an ongoing problem for a number of years. If the county is really concerned about the county, they will not want the state to come in and take over again. I know that they can stop spending and make the cuts they need if they really want to.

Townships are asking for a commitment for nuisance abatement. A removal of a house will cost about $10,000, the country does not have the money. The country is asking the towns to budget for these costs.

(I believe this is a county expense. These properties have been in poor condition for years and nothing has been done.  The Townships should take steps to contact the owners in a non depending way, to get as much cooperation from the property owner as possible. Maybe there is some type of citation that can be serviced on uncooperative property owners)