Lyon County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Summary ― June 18, 2025

News Release                June 20, 2025                     

Lyon County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Summary ― June 18, 2025

Yerington, Nevada – The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 to hear presentations and take action on several significant agenda items. Highlights from the meeting include:

Renewable Energy Ordinance

Following a presentation by County Manager Haskin, the Board approved an ordinance 3-2 (Commissioners Cassinelli and Jacobson opposed) amending Lyon County Code Title 15, Chapter 336, sections 6-9 and section 12, and Chapter 320, table 320-1 and 320-4. The proposed ordinance makes changes to performance standards for wind energy conversion, geothermal generating, and solar generation systems. The proposed ordinance will also create energy storage systems as an allowable use in Lyon County in certain zoning districts and establishes performance standards. Finally, the ordinance will establish standards for the decommissioning and reclamation of renewable energy projects.

Multifamily Roof Ordinance

The Board approved an ordinance amending Lyon County Code Title 15, The Lyon County Land Use and Development Code; Chapter 348 Section 4; to create design standards related to the roof form for multifamily residential structures in Lyon County; and other matters properly related thereto.

83^rd Nevada Legislature Outcomes and Impacts to Lyon County

Taylor Allison, Lyon County Emergency Management & Government Affairs Director, presented on the outcomes of the 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature which adjourned on June 3^rd. Lyon County’s Government Affairs team tracked and engaged on 625 of the 1210 bills and resolutions introduced during the session. Staff estimate the fiscal impact (as initially proposed) of bills on Lyon County to be over $10 million for the FY26-27 biennium; however, most of these bills either died or were amended to have neutral impact on the County. This does not include the 85 bills with fiscal notes that indicate the fiscal impact cannot be determined. The Government Affairs Team will continue to engage department heads and policymakers on County issues during the interim.

Storm Drain Easement

Commissioners approved the purchase of the remaining portion of a storm drain easement, totaling approximately 41,359 square ft. for the storm drain channel and associated infrastructure located at 145 River Road and 1 Bill Eitel Road, Mark Twain, NV, for an amount not to exceed $17,123.

Other Board Actions:

·       Debt Management Policy and Capital Improvement Plan – Approved the Debt Management Plan and Capital Improvement Plan for 2025-2026.

·       Dayton Depot Insurance Claim – Comptroller Josh Foli presented on the history of the Dayton Depot insurance claim that was filed after the historic rail depot was destroyed during a fire which occurred on June 17, 2020. Mr. Foli provided an update on the project and explained the steps that have been taken thus far by the County, insurance company, and the Dayton Historical Society to reconstruct the historic rail depot.

·       Public Defender Agreements – Approved amendments to public defender services agreement with Brock Law, LTD for the Dayton Justice Court to decrease the contract from $480,000 per year to $400,500 to accurately reflect the number of available attorneys. In addition, the Board approved an amendment to increase Brock Law public defender services for the Walker River Justice Court to increase the contract from $420,000 to $640,500 per year and change the required amount of attorneys and support staff. Finally, the Commissioners approved an amendment to the Mansfield & Mayo Law Firm public defender agreement for the Fernley Justice Court to increase the contract from $80,000 per year to $640,500 per year and change the required amount of attorneys and support staff.

·       Interim Utilities Director – The Board authorized the County Manager to appoint an Interim Utilities Director with the salary to fall within the D2 salary range.

·       Commissioner Travel – The Board authorized to pay for travel for three commissioners to attend the 2025 Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) Annual Conference September 23-25, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV for an estimated cost of $2,500 per person.

The complete agenda and back up materials are posted online at www.lyon-county.org/Agendacenter. Residents can view recordings of Board of County Commission meetings on the Lyon County YouTube Channel.