By Jessica Hernandez
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, June 3. All commissioners were present, with Chairman Varlin Higbee present via video conference.
Both April 29 and May 14 meeting minutes were approved.
The Interlocal Agreement with the City of Caliente for Police Services was presented to commissioners. As an incorporated city, Caliente is required to employ a chief of police. Sheriff Derrick Foremaster is under contract as the current acting chief of police for Caliente. Discussions were held related to the financial expectations that the city should meet in order to have the sheriff continue to act as the chief of police.
Negotiations continued to hit a stand-still, as the city and county have yet to agree on a price for the annual contract renewal. The city requested that the board agree to $100,000 for the annual contract. “I feel like we agreed too low in the first place,” shared Commissioner Janine Woodworth.” We asked for $200,000, then $165,000, now $130,000 in a year-to-year contract.” Commissioners reviewed the newest proposal before mentioning recent staffing and resource cuts made by the county in both the assessors’ and recorders’ office. “We cut capital outlay and we are still not getting what we should be getting,” added Commissioner Diane Path.
Hiring a police chief would require Caliente to provide a car, insurance and equipment in addition to staffing.
“I am here for the fiscal responsibility of the county, not the city of Caliente,” noted Woodworth. It was suggested that the city look into staff and budget reorganization, and it was agreed that the item would be tabled until a resolution can be found. Path and Woodworth plan to research the matter and present their findings and suggestions to the board during a later meeting.
During the Lincoln County Fire District section of the meeting, board members heard updates from Fire Chief Eric Holt. Holt announced that a 30,000-gallon water tank has been installed in Ursine. The stored water will be used to fight residential, commercial or wildfires in the area without the need to travel to Pioche to refill. Thanks was provided to the road department for their support. The tank was transported, the crane arrived and the tank was then set with piping to tie into a pump. The fire department will continue working with Lincoln County Power to reconnect power and properly size the needed pump. Crews will also work to install a vault that can house a tank for the system.
Woodworth suggested filling the tank for immediate use, stating, “Things are getting really hot really early this year.” Chief Holt shared that the department is expecting a busy wildfire season, and the tank will be filled following the installation of a valve to isolate the pump area.
It was reported during the meeting that over 20 individuals participated in the May 30 recertification and initial CPR Certification course. A course has been scheduled for the Solid Waste Department and other county entities will be following. A number of private businesses have also requested CPR training both with and without certification. Organization and business leaders are able to request training through the Lincoln County Fire Department.
A Hazard Mitigation Plan Update has been scheduled for June 20. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. in the Panaca Fire Station. Attendees will cover a final overview, plans for various emergencies and concerns for mitigation in the county. The Fire Army Core of Engineers will be hosting a tabletop exercise at the Panaca Fire Station on June 25. At 8 a.m. the group will discuss concerns and suggested efforts related to dams in the area.
SixCo president Derick Hembd shared the latest information related to the Crestline project. The land purchase has closed and a town hall meeting will be announced. “I’m excited for each and every development we have to move this thing forward,” said Commissioner Keith Pearson.
The meeting had a short agenda to ensure the county clerk’s office had availability to focus on the June 11 election. Early voting opened one week prior to the meeting and only 37 early votes had been turned in. The numbers were considered significantly low compared to previous elections. The next meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for June 17 at 9 a.m. in the Lincoln County Courthouse.