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FALLON - The 2009 fiscal year wasn't kind to the state of Nevada, but Churchill County came out in the black for the first time since 2006 the county commission announced during its bimonthly meeting on Monday at the Churchill County Administration Building, 155 N. Taylor St.
The county recorded a 9.3 percent or a $27 million-plus increase in taxable sales in the past year.
Last year, the county collected more than $294 million in taxable sales compared to more than $321 million this year. Churchill County's sales tax is 7.60 percent.
Churchill County's main resource, well, is a natural resource — geothermal energy. Revenue increased by more than $45 million (256 percent) during the past year thanks in part to power plants from Enel Energy in Salt Wells and Stillwater and exploration drilling from Vulcan Power.
Geothermal power plants, exploration and drilling accounted for about 20 percent of the county's revenue in 2009. Churchill County currently generates more power than it can export.
“That's kind've been the big, positive impact that mitigated why weren't making it and why we're positive in geothermal,” Churchill County Comptroller Alan Kalt said. “We've been encouraging the exploration and development of geothermal (energy). According to some reports we (Churchill County) are the geothermal capital of the United States. There are more geothermal resources in Churchill County than anywhere in the United States.”
Of the nine core business codes monitored by the commissioners, five came out of 2009 making money, a good sign for the county Kalt said. However, county auto dealers had the biggest drop in revenue, losing more than $15 million in 2009.
Statewide, on the other hand, Nevada's taxable sales declined more than $6 billion (12.86 percent) from last year.
But Kalt said geothermal activity in the county is one of the main contributing factors to the county's economic success, but he said residents should continue to spend money within the county to help ease the economic burden.
“Support local businesses,” Kalt said. “We support the local chamber of commerce, we support local businesses and we are working toward economic development to create new jobs and keep people employed.”
Though the board stresses to buy local, the four new sheriff's vehicles purchased on Monday came from Jones West Ford in Reno. Jones West Ford was awarded the contract with a bid of $114, 520, Champion Chevrolet had the next lowest bid at $119,336, followed by Michael Hohl Chevrolet at $120,343 and Fallon Auto Mall at $124,305.
Churchill County Manager Brad Goetsch said the commissioners had no choice because the Nevada Revised Statute states the board has to accept the lowest bid.
The commissioners researched every bid to check for any discrepancies in the bids in hopes of keeping the money in Churchill County. Should transportation costs or hidden fees come to light in any of the lower bids which would equal the cost of the Fallon Auto Mall, then the board can accept the Fallon Auto Mall's bid.
“We studied the bids to see if there was any way, but by NRS we are required to take the lowest responsive bid,” Goetsch said. “We can't take a higher bid unless there is something wrong with the other bid.”
Old Business
• The county commissioners approved the contract with Voorhis/Robertson Justice Service, Inc., on Task 1 and Task 2 for a new jail. Task 1 will organize the planning project and review the composition of the Advisory Committee, standards and legal requirements and the facility mission statement.
• Task 2 will work on the Development of Functional and Space program, a scenario program, a current jail analysis, architectural programming, staffing analysis, development of an operational budget, evaluate operational costs and provide a summary workshop.
New Business
• The board approved a new contract with court reporters for one year with an option to renew for an additional year. The contract will give the courts reporters a 2 percent pay increase.
• An ordinance was approved to permit the county sheriff to dispose or destroy dangerous weapons used in previous crimes to avoid use in future crimes. Weapons are certified when destroyed.
• The Churchill County Sheriff's Department was approved for four new vehicles at a cost of $114,520 or $28,630 per vehicle from Jones West Ford in Reno. Although
• A public hearing has been set for an ordinance relating to the use of cell phones and the use of county property by employees.
The county recorded a 9.3 percent or a $27 million-plus increase in taxable sales in the past year.
Last year, the county collected more than $294 million in taxable sales compared to more than $321 million this year. Churchill County's sales tax is 7.60 percent.
Churchill County's main resource, well, is a natural resource — geothermal energy. Revenue increased by more than $45 million (256 percent) during the past year thanks in part to power plants from Enel Energy in Salt Wells and Stillwater and exploration drilling from Vulcan Power.
Geothermal power plants, exploration and drilling accounted for about 20 percent of the county's revenue in 2009. Churchill County currently generates more power than it can export.
“That's kind've been the big, positive impact that mitigated why weren't making it and why we're positive in geothermal,” Churchill County Comptroller Alan Kalt said. “We've been encouraging the exploration and development of geothermal (energy). According to some reports we (Churchill County) are the geothermal capital of the United States. There are more geothermal resources in Churchill County than anywhere in the United States.”
Of the nine core business codes monitored by the commissioners, five came out of 2009 making money, a good sign for the county Kalt said. However, county auto dealers had the biggest drop in revenue, losing more than $15 million in 2009.
Statewide, on the other hand, Nevada's taxable sales declined more than $6 billion (12.86 percent) from last year.
But Kalt said geothermal activity in the county is one of the main contributing factors to the county's economic success, but he said residents should continue to spend money within the county to help ease the economic burden.
“Support local businesses,” Kalt said. “We support the local chamber of commerce, we support local businesses and we are working toward economic development to create new jobs and keep people employed.”
Though the board stresses to buy local, the four new sheriff's vehicles purchased on Monday came from Jones West Ford in Reno. Jones West Ford was awarded the contract with a bid of $114, 520, Champion Chevrolet had the next lowest bid at $119,336, followed by Michael Hohl Chevrolet at $120,343 and Fallon Auto Mall at $124,305.
Churchill County Manager Brad Goetsch said the commissioners had no choice because the Nevada Revised Statute states the board has to accept the lowest bid.
The commissioners researched every bid to check for any discrepancies in the bids in hopes of keeping the money in Churchill County. Should transportation costs or hidden fees come to light in any of the lower bids which would equal the cost of the Fallon Auto Mall, then the board can accept the Fallon Auto Mall's bid.
“We studied the bids to see if there was any way, but by NRS we are required to take the lowest responsive bid,” Goetsch said. “We can't take a higher bid unless there is something wrong with the other bid.”
Old Business
• The county commissioners approved the contract with Voorhis/Robertson Justice Service, Inc., on Task 1 and Task 2 for a new jail. Task 1 will organize the planning project and review the composition of the Advisory Committee, standards and legal requirements and the facility mission statement.
• Task 2 will work on the Development of Functional and Space program, a scenario program, a current jail analysis, architectural programming, staffing analysis, development of an operational budget, evaluate operational costs and provide a summary workshop.
New Business
• The board approved a new contract with court reporters for one year with an option to renew for an additional year. The contract will give the courts reporters a 2 percent pay increase.
• An ordinance was approved to permit the county sheriff to dispose or destroy dangerous weapons used in previous crimes to avoid use in future crimes. Weapons are certified when destroyed.
• The Churchill County Sheriff's Department was approved for four new vehicles at a cost of $114,520 or $28,630 per vehicle from Jones West Ford in Reno. Although
• A public hearing has been set for an ordinance relating to the use of cell phones and the use of county property by employees.
