Lyon County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Summary ― October 2, 2025

October 3, 2025                 

Yerington, Nevada – The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Thursday, October 2, 2025 to hear presentations and take action on several significant agenda items. Highlights from the meeting include:

National 4-H Week 2025 Proclamation

The board proclaims National 4-H week October 5th-11th in Lyon County. The proclamation highlights this year’s theme, “Beyond Ready,” emphasizing how 4-H equips six million youth nationwide with skills for the future through experiential learning. Delivered by the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H fosters leadership, science, agriculture, and community engagement, helping young people grow into successful, independent adults.

Awards & Recognitions

Sheriff Pope presented Investigator Jeremy Tafelmeyer with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office “Life Saving Award “for his courageous actions, quick decision-making, & extraordinary bravery that resulted in the preservation of human life during a structure fire on August 22, 2025. In addition, the Sheriff presented Jose Ramos-Conchas with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office “Community Service Award” for his selfless bravery, decisive action, and willingness to place himself in harm’s way to assist Investigator Tafelmeyer.

Comstock Historic District

The Board directed County Manager Haskin to research and consult with the State of Nevada and Storey County officials to develop findings and recommendations regarding the potential transfer of the Comstock Historic District and Commission responsibilities from the State to Storey and Lyon Counties. The action followed a presentation by Storey County Commissioner Clay Mitchell and County Manager Austin Osborne on the history, concerns, and future direction of the district in light of the failed 2025 legislative proposal to consolidate and restructure all State Boards and Commissions, Senate Bill 78, including the Comstock Historic District Commission. Storey County proposed to explore solutions that will remain cost-neutral to Lyon County.

Planning Items

The board heard and approved the request from Nevada RE Holdings LLC for a Zoning Map Amendment to amend the designation on three parcels that total approximately 19.68 acres at 1700 E US Highway 50 in Silver Springs from the Title 10 districts of M1 (General Industrial), C1 (Limited Commercial District), and RR-5 (Fifth Rural Residential District, 20-acre minimum) to the Title 15 district of HI-S (Heavy Industrial – Suburban), consistent with the Master Plan designation of Industrial. The facility previously used for production of animal food is proposed for use as an aluminum cast house for the aerospace industry. The amendment was approved with three in favor and two opposed (Commissioners Keller and Hendrix opposed).

Recommendations to State Engineer

·       Carson City Application – Commissioners recommended the State Engineer approve applications filed by Carson City, through its agent Resource Concepts, Inc., to temporarily change the point of diversion and place of existing permits located in Carson City, Nevada to move water rights from one of their wells to another well as they do an upgrade project to a water treatment facility. Lyon County was noticed because some of that water is utilized by interconnect with Lyon County Utilities.

·       Walker Basin Conservancy Application – Commissioners recommended the State Engineer deny applications filed by Walker Basin Conservancy, through its agent Reed Cozens, DOWL, LLC to change the point of diversion and place and manner of use of water totaling 1,770 acre-feet. The Board directed County Manager to submit a letter of recommendation of denial based on concerns raised in the Walker River Irrigation District’s protest, including that the changes proposed conflict with existing water right holders and protectable interest in domestic wells, adversely affect the cost of water for other holders within the District, lessen the efficiency of delivery of water within the District, and changes the proposed deem detrimental to the public interest.

Commission Appointments

The Board unanimously approved the appointment of Kathryn Baker to the Planning Commission with a term expiring December 31, 2026. The Commissioners also acknowledged the resignation of Marshal Hartman from the Smith Valley Citizen Advisory Board.

Other Board Actions:

·       Business License Revocation – Commissioners revoked business licenses that are delinquent and/or non-compliant with County Code and allowed the Business License Department to close delinquent accounts. The final business license revocation list is available in the agenda backup materials. 

·       Statewide Ballot Contract – Approved the Clerk Treasurer to participate in the Statewide Ballot Contract for the 2026 Election Cycle for the preparation and mailing of ballots, and authorize the County Manager to sign the contract on behalf of Lyon County.

·       January Meeting Date Change – Discussed and set a date to hold the first board meeting in January 2026 on Monday, January 5^th at 9:00AM.

·       Yerington Municipal Court – Approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Yerington to provide temporary court clerk assistance for the municipal court, with the costs being reimbursed to the County by the City of Yerington on a monthly basis.

The complete 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.