The Humboldt County Board of Commissioners is expecting a major influx of travelers and traffic as people visit Winnemucca to view the Annual Solar Eclipse that will take place on Oct. 14. Winnemucca and is said to have the best viewing position. During the meeting Aug. 21, commissioners decided to close the road to the top of Winnemucca Mountain during the weekend of the event in preparation for eclipse viewers. Commissioner Jesse Hill was absent from the meeting.
The Annular Solar Eclipse is a global event and only two to five take place every year, according to timeanddate.com, an online resource for tracking eclipses, times and dates around the world.
An Annular Eclipse “happens when the Moon covers the Sun’s center, leaving the Sun’s visible outer edges to form a “ring of fire” or annulus around the Moon,” says the website, and the “max view” will be right in the city of Winnemucca.
Both the Commissioners and Humboldt County Public Works Director Don Kalkoske expressed concern regarding people trying to access the top of Winnemucca Mountain to view the eclipse and felt that the condition of the road to the top was in poor shape and should not be used by viewers.
The Commission approved a request by Public Works to close the road from Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 8 a.m. through Monday, Oct. 16 at 8 a.m. Kalkoske also told the Board that this is just one of the things that will be coming before the Board in preparation for the event.
In other Commission news:
• A motion was passed in a split vote to utilize P&C Recruiting out of Elko, NV in order to recruit a new County Manager as current manager Dave Mendiola has announced his upcoming retirement in March 2024.
The Board chose from three different recruiting firms including P&C Recruiting, VOLT Recruiting and Express Recruiting. P&C Recruiting was the only firm to present to the Board in person at a previous meeting, provide multiple service options, and has a background in hiring county officials in Nevada, mining and various other fields.
Commissioner Tom Hoss was in opposition and stated that he was not in favor of using P&C because of their background in hiring in mining.
Commissioner Mark Evatz and Chairman Ken Tipton agreed that P&C’s background in mining and their experience in hiring county officials would be a benefit in the process to replace Mendiola and both were impressed by their professional response and effort to present to the Board in person.
• Lithium Nevada Vice President of Government & Community Relations Tim Crowley presented an update to the Board regarding construction and other projects of the lithium mine located in Orovada, NV.
According to Crowley, construction is underway on the mine site and the company is pursuing housing options for employees and maintaining commitments to build a new school in Orovada, a community center and preschool in McDermitt, NV, workforce training for locals, and other community engagement.
• The Board heard a presentation from Jeff Tamkin, President of Public Facilities Investment Corporation (PFIC) regarding options for financing some of the potential capital improvement projects in Humboldt County.
The Commissioners have been considering major renovations and construction of new facilities like the courthouse and detention center but financing with the current inflation rates and such pose a considerable burden.
“The need is there but it’s a tough call,” said Commissioner Ron Cerri, and stated that he wished the timing was better as Humboldt County is set to see some major economic development that could help the County fund the projects as well.
Although no final decisions have been made whether to move forward with financing or construction, the Board directed County Manager Dave Mendiola to work internally with other county officials to gather financial figures for possible options and to work with outside project consultants to determine feasibility.
• James Rigas, Zito Co- President of Zito Media presented an overview of the services that are offered locally and reviewed some of Zito’s upcoming projects to the Board.
• The Board awarded a bid to Sierra Nevada Construction for the 2023/2024 Humboldt County Pavement Preservation Project which will total $928,493.50.
• Humboldt County Undersheriff Damon Kuskie convened the Liquor Board to approve a special liquor license for the Paradise Valley Basque Festival which was approved.
• The Board approved a request by the Winnemucca Events Center to retrofit the livestock barn alleys and the loading chutes in preparation for upcoming events and for the purchase of three utility terrain vehicles to be used at the fairgrounds by employees.
• A request by Humboldt County Technology Services to purchase computer equipment to replace failed and outdated equipment was approved.
• The Board welcomed Kellie Kranovich as the new Human Resources Director for Humboldt County.