Elko Countyboard of Commissioners

Elko CountyBoard of Commissioners

Commissioners

Sheri Eklund-Brown

John Ellison

Charlie Myers

Mike Nannini

Warren Russell

CountyManager

Robert K. Stokes

STATE OF NEVADA, )

COUNTY OF ELKO. ) ss.MARCH 8, 2007

The Board of Elko County Commissioners met on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at 1:30p.m., in Room 105 of the Elko County Courthouse at 571 Idaho Street, Elko, Nevada.

There were present: CountyCommissionersMike Nannini

ABSENTJohn Ellison, Chair

Charlie Myers

Sheri Eklund-Brown

Warren Russell

CountyManagerRobert Stokes

CFO – Asst. Co. ManagerCash Minor

Deputy District AttorneyKristin McQueary

Deputy County ClerkMarilyn Tipton

Planning & Zoning Dir.Randy Brown

Road SupervisorOtis Tipton

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The proceedings were as follows:

CALL TO ORDER:

Vice Chairman Nanninicalled the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m.

He noted that Commissioner Ellison was in WashingtonD.C. representing the County and NACO.

He commented that Commissioner Myers was back from his surgery and commented that the Board had really missed him.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

CommissionerEklund-Brown led the meeting participants in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I.COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC:

Commissioner Myers noted that Lance Corporal Raul S. Bravo of the U.S. Marines was killed in Iraq. He commented that this was the first Elko casualty in the Iraq War and expressed sympathy to his friends and family. Commissioner Myers asked for a moment of silence for Lance Corporal Raul S. Bravo. He read the letter he had drafted on behalf of the Elko County Commission to the Bravo family into the record.

Dr. PaulKilpatrick, President of the Great BasinCollege, personally welcomed Commissioner Myers back to work. He noted that Commissioner Myers was a serious player on things going on in ElkoCounty.

Commissioner Myers thanked the community and saidthere was a lot of outreach. He noted the community took good care of his family while he was in the hospital. He believed the NortheasternNevadaRegionalHospital had done a good job in his case. On behalf of himself and his family, Commissioner Myers acknowledged and expressed appreciation to the community for all their support during his surgery and recovery.

II.FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS OF NORTHEASTERN NEVADA:

Discussion and consideration of approval of PROCLAMATION 2007-C, entitled, A PROCLAMATION BY THE ELKO COUNTYBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2007 AS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN ELKOCOUNTY.

MOTION:Commissioner Russell moved to adopt PROCLAMATION 2007-C, entitled:A PROCLAMATION BY THE ELKO COUNTYBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2007 AS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN ELKOCOUNTY. Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.

Commissioner Russell presented the plaque to Emily Harris who accepted it on behalf of the Family Resource Centers of Northeastern Nevada.

III.SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS FROM PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT POLICIES STUDY:

Discussion and consideration of acceptance of studies conducted by Dr. Thomas R. Harris, Director, UNR Center of Economic Development, which reports on the socio-economic impacts from various public land management policy modifications. Said studies can be utilized by the County and land management agencies during land management environmental analysis processes.

Report 1, Report 2, Report 3, Report 4, Report 5, Report 6, Report 7

Dr. Thomas Harris stated that if the Commissioners wanted a more detailed presentation; he would reschedule another appearance where there was more time available. He noted they had prepared six publications and one study covered general economic activity. He stated they had focused upon public land grazing in various areas throughout the county. He noted that the USForest Service was helpful in getting the date and setting up the model. Dr. Thomas Harris stated this was part of a procedure which had occurred in other states such as Idaho, Wyoming, etc. He stated this was part of a regional agriculture project to develop procedures across the west. He reported that a representative ranch was developed. Dr. Thomas Harris stated some of this was based on their agricultural experiment stations’ budgets. He noted they looked at changes in baseline such as reduction in public land grazing. Dr. Thomas Harris stated they had made it a 40 year simulation model change so they could look at different prices and different cattle cycles. He stated if they changedthe public grazing availabilities they were researching the impacts to the ranching industry such as ranch survivability, probability and negative cash flows. Dr. Thomas Harris stated they worked with Ron Torell’s brother, Allen Torell, at the New MexicoStateUniversity and also the University of Idahoto develop thisranch model. He stated they ran a base model with no changes and then looked at grazing reductions of 50% and more, in which they saw an increase of bankruptcies. Dr. Harris stated their model could look through time and see how changes would have an impact on the ranch. Dr. Harris stated they had looked at the model results and attempted to bring them into what the regional economic impacts would be. He stated they used a ranch budget of one AUM which meant $148.00 worth of production, per AUM. He noted that there would be 57 million dollarsin total economic activity. He stated that meant 11 million in labor income for about 553 jobs. Dr. Thomas Harris stated that in further analysis they need to look at a ranch level. He stated if you have AUMs and public land you could graze additional cattle which meant a larger production system. He noted that would impact the property taxes. However, when they reduce 1 AUM then it would translate to a reduction of 4 AUMsin ranch production. He stated if they look at production at a ranch level the total economic activity was about 125 million. There would be 25 million dollars in earnings and about 1,200 people in labor. Dr. Thomas Harris stated they had worked with the USForest Service on this model. He stated they had looked at the difference of permitted use versus the actual use. He stated this was part of a research project at the College of Agriculture. He stated they were attempting to update the 1970 study. He reported that they had looked at ranches throughout ElkoCounty and other areas. Dr. Thomas Harris stated they wished to develop a study which gave access not only to Elko County but to other counties as well so when it came to looking at the estimation of the trade offsin public land grazing;they could look tothe experiment or extension department to do this. Dr. Thomas Harris felt this may also be applied to fire impacts because if they started taking cattle off of the BLM. He stated they would be able to see what the impacts would be to ElkoCounty and what the negative impact would be to the baseline if they reduced the AUMs. Dr. Thomas Harris stated if the County requested; he could give a more detailed presentation. Dr. Thomas Harris stated they would be glad to do more analysis. If the County requested them, they could do more studies within their realm as the College of Agriculture and Ag Experiment Station.

Commissioner Russell noted Dr. Harris had referenced 25 million dollarsfor ranch income net. He stated in his document it stated for 2004 there was an18.3 million net income but there was a potential, with full use of all the AUMs,of a net income of 32 million dollars. He inquired where the 25 million dollar figure came from. Dr. Thomas Harris stated they analyzed it at the ranch level to see what the income would be. He noted that some people use the agriculture budgets. He stated when using the agricultural budgets; you look at the difference from one year and you could derive how many AUMs were in those budgets. He stated whatever return there was then, they could say that was how much the AUMs were in that budget. Dr. Thomas Harris stated the 25 million dollars was total regional for the County. He stated they need to get specifically within the economic sectors. He stated the other alternative was the ranch analysis wherein if they take the 1 AUM off then you effect the total ranch production process because 1 AUM ended up to be 4 AUMs. He stated people had estimated these figures within the total project to show two different ways of analysis.

Commissioner Russell stated that the State of Nevada under the age of 14 was 21.7% of the population. He assumed that ElkoCounty’spopulation was older, yet for ElkoCounty the population for under the age of 14 years was 26.6%. Dr. Thomas Harris noted that the County of Eureka was like that too. He felt that the mines impacted that figure. He stated those young people in the future may work in the mines. He noted that was a problem when trying to get funding from EDA as opposed to the East where people will lose their jobs and stay on their subsistent farms and the unemployment rate jumps up. He stated that was a unique problem they have in the mountain states. Dr. Thomas Harris noted they were now talking about making those people local entrepreneurs to stay in the area. Commissioner Russell thanked Dr. Thomas Harris and suggested that he come back to review the report more thoroughly.

Commissioner Eklund-Brown thanked Dr. Thomas Harris and his staff for developing the study at a very low subsidized level for the County. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted White Pine County had a similar study done by Dr. Harris in the past which was why she requested him to develop one for ElkoCounty. She felt that study could be applicable to what the Forest Service was doing in the Mountain City District. She noted there were several ranchers who were involved with that Forest Service planning. She stated as a County they felt it was the least they could do to provide these studies to help the federal land managers make their decisions and to aid those using the land for economic activities such as livestock, mining and recreation. She did not think any of the Commissioners realized how important the livestock industry was to their economy and the uses that would come from these studies. Commissioner Eklund-Brown stated the Cattlemen’s Association had commented that this was a tool that they never had before in land use decisions they were involved in. She stated the federal managers had to go by NEPA. Therefore, they have to look at the impact upon the local economy, history, culture, etc. Commissioner Eklund-Brown stated these studies would help give the ranchers a tool, and show the impact they have on the economy at county and state level. She noted ElkoCountyhad approximately 40% of the ranching within the State. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted dramatic decreases of cattle on the land do have impacts which the federal land managers have to consider in their decisions.

Dr. Thomas Harris stated one of his colleagues, MariahEvans, was a rural sociologist. He noted she had been researching the historical linkages. He commented that they talked about economy but they had to consider the long history and what impacted their local economy. He stated Mariah Evans was looking at the family ranch linkage and the socioeconomic impact to ElkoCounty. He noted that ranching, mining, and industries on public lands impact the communities. Dr. Thomas Harris noted they could do a study on the recreational impacts such as for hunting and fishing. He commented that they had one of the leading recreational areas in the United States. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted the Commissioners had approved funding for Mariah’s studies. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted there were a lot of forces that did not want any uses on the public land but the Commissioners were a multiple use Board. She stated this Board supported the responsible stewardship use of those lands and this was something they could do to help continue and sustain that use on public lands. Dr. Thomas Harris stated he had worked with KentMcAdoo and Sharon Swanson at the UNR who look at the range health on the fiscal side as well as RonTorell on the animal fiscal side. He noted that they do not want the unintended consequences such as the spotted owl. He stated that situation became very detrimental. If they have more knowledge,the people knew what the trade offs would be,and then it may impact their decisions.

Dan Dallas, FS Mountain City Ranger District, extended his appreciation to the CountyCommissionfor authorizing Dr. Harris’ studies. He noted this was an outgrowth of him asking ElkoCountyto be a cooperative agency on the Mountain City Range EIS. He noted Dr. Harris used the terms “they wanted to avoid unintended consequences” but on the positive side these studies were very beneficial. He noted Dr. Harris had stated they could make inferences upon the economic impact from the fires. DanDallas noted six years ago it was not always a pleasant task to testify in front of this Commission. He stated they now have a partnership aspect and they have gotten a credible third party in the form of Dr. Thomas Harris to help them. He noted in the past the federal agencies would do their due diligence to the best of their ability on evaluating economic and social impacts but that was not their expertise. However, in the end they would make some sort of a decision and there was always a gap between them and the County’s acceptance of that data. He stated these studies would help a lot of other people in the County with this information. Dan Dallas was looking forward to the studies on the social economic impacts. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted this study would not happened if it had not been for DanDallas. She expressed appreciation for his support and inclusion of this study into their evaluation. Dan Dallas noted their public land use plan stated the Commission would be responsible for submitting the economic and social impacts as a cooperating agency. He believed these studies would fulfill that commitment of the cooperating agency. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted by the time they get their policy plan completed they would have several reports to include into that. Commissioner Russell noted that Commissioner Eklund-Brown took the initiative to get them involved with this particular study and coordinated with the federal land agencies to get these studies completed. He thanked her for her initiative.

MOTION:Commissioner Eklund-Brown moved to accept the socio-economic impact studies for ElkoCounty from Dr. Thomas R. Harris of UNR. Commissioner Russell seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.

GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE:

Ethan Harrell stated he was attending the meeting to get his merit badges in Scouts.

Jacob Hall stated he was earning his citizenship in the community and communication merit badges asa Boy Scout.

Colt Harrell stated he was observing for merit badges in Scouts.

IV.SPRING CREEK ASSOCIATION:

Discussion and consideration of issues related to the Spring Creek Association including an update on the strategic planning process that was currently in progress by the Association.

Pam Borda stated they were doing their strategic planning process. She had met with Robert Stokes and Cash Minor regarding this planning process. Pam Borda stated they were not doing a Master Plan but they were doing a Business Plan. She stated they had submitted a SCA survey as the first step of their planning process. The survey was sent out to their property owners in December and they had a 17% response on the survey. Pam Borda stated they would hold a public meeting this Saturday at 10:00 o’clock at the SpringCreekElementary Schoolfor public input. She stated they would have another meeting on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. to get more membership input and from any other stakeholders. Pam Borda invited the County to be involved in the process. She asked for Commissioner Russell to participate as part of their planning committee,as the liaison to the County.

Commissioner Russell enjoyed the presentation and the informative report. He was surprised to learn that the average household in the Spring Creek community was 2.6 people. He anticipated that figure would be 3.5 or 4 members in a household. He noted their resident’s interests would be different than from the family type orientation. Pam Borda noted the major reason they chose to live there was the quality of life. She noted the diversity among their members worried herbecause they range from people who want them to stay out of their pockets and does nothing more than maintain their roads,to people who want full blown city services. She noted some even wanted curbs and gutters, lights, pools, community halls, senior center but that would reduce the rural atmosphere. Commissioner Russell noted it was a broad spectrum. Commissioner Eklund-Brown had received calls and e-mail from people who were confused by what a GID was. She asked Pam Borda to put out more information about what a GID was and the impact to the association members. Commissioner Eklund-Brown inquired if they were looking at doing a tiered user payment based on use of property from vacant to commercial properties usage. She commented that on commercial properties there would be more services provided. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted the $150,000 that comes from RTC was made voluntarily and was not required to go to the Spring Creek Association. Pam Borda stated she had already responded to comments that the County was not doing enough. She noted that even the utility company was stepping up to the plate and wereimplementing their plan. She notedthe SCA was just implementing their plan. Commissioner Eklund-Brown commented that Cash Minor did an analysis of the services that the county provided for prior complaints received from throughout the County. Pam Borda acknowledged that it was much more than RTC, Sheriff, animal control, the court system, the fire station, etc. Pam Borda felt with good information they could make better decisions about their future. Commissioner Myers noted the number of households and where the people came from. He commended the SCA on their survey.