On the agenda: Whitepine County meeting — data center (Jul 22)

Paula Carson, Commission Chairman
Tim Pauley, Commission Vice Chairman
Hank Vogler, Commissioner
Pat Robison, Commissioner
Jose Noriega, Commissioner

801 Clark Street, Suite 4
Ely, Nevada 89301
(775) 293-6509

Nichole Stephey, Ex-Officio Clerk of the Board

[email protected]

White Pine County
Board of County Commissioners
JOINT WHITE PINE COUNTY COMMISSION, ROAD
COMMISSION & LIQUOR BOARD MEETING AGENDA

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DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:

Wednesday, July 22, 2026
9:00 a.m.
White Pine County Library Conference Room
950 Campton Street, Ely, Nevada

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/253115417876925?p=ubwXdBGfGziREfvFT0
Meeting ID: 253 115 417 876 925
Passcode: ih7Ur7Ly
Dial: 1 323 676 6251 Phone Conference ID: 327 245 587#
*ASTERISK (*) DENOTES POSSIBLE ACTION ITEM
Note: All times are approximate except for bid openings, public hearings, and items agendized for a specific
time. Items may be taken out of order. The Commission(s) may combine two or more agenda items for
consideration, remove an item from the agenda, defer or decline to discuss or take action on an item at any
time. Action may be taken on all items unless otherwise indicated. Sponsorship of an item by a Commissioner
does not necessarily indicate support for the item. The Commission(s) may take recesses as needed, including
a lunch recess at approximately 12:00 p.m.

Public Comment: Public comments will be taken during this meeting for matters both on and off the agenda
that are within the jurisdiction of the Commission(s). Public comments will be limited to three (3) minutes
per person. The Commission(s) reserves the right to reduce the time per speaker or limit the total time
allowed for public comment. The public is also invited to submit written comments, which may be entered
into the record but need not be read into the record. Since responses or discussions of public comments by
Commissioners could be considered deliberation without proper notice to the public, Commissioners may
choose not to respond to public comments or may choose to provide a limited response in order to correct
factual inaccuracies.
ATTENTION: Members of the public are requested to silence electronic devices and refrain from conduct
that disrupts the meeting. The Commission Chair may take reasonable measures to maintain order.

9:00 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF SILENCE/SILENT INVOCATION
PUBLIC COMMENT: A period devoted to comments by the general public that is

intended to allow members of the public to present information and viewpoints. The
Commission(s) may impose reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of public
comment to ensure the orderly conduct of the meeting. The Commission(s) may restrict conduct that
is willfully disruptive, including conduct that materially interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting
or the ability of others to be heard. The Commission Chair may reasonably limit unduly repetitious

comments and comments that are not within the jurisdiction of the Commission(s). All comments are to be
directed to the Commission(s) as a whole. The Chair may order the removal of a person from the meeting
if the person’s conduct is willfully disruptive and interferes with the orderly conduct or safety of the
meeting. A warning may be provided prior to removal when practicable. Certain conduct that disrupts a
public meeting may constitute a violation of Nevada law, including provisions of NRS Chapter 203. In
accordance with NRS Chapter 241, no action may be taken upon a matter raised under public comment
unless the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as an item upon which action may be
taken.

1.UPDATES FROM COMMISSIONERS
A.

Discussion/Information Only: Reports from Commissioners

2. NOTICE OF TIMED AGENDA ITEMS

A. 9:10 A.M. NEVADA RURAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

*1. Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval of Resolution 2026-17 providing for
the transfer of the county’s 2026 Private Activity Bond Volume Cap to the
Nevada Rural Housing Authority and other matters related thereto. William
Brewer, Executive Director, and Katie Coleman, Director of Communications.
Sponsored by Alicia Berkbigler, Finance Director/Comptroller

B.

9:20 A.M. ROAD COMMISSION
1.

Discussion/Update: on primary and secondary roads within White Pine
County and County facilities, completed and future projects, communications
with corporations and governmental agencies. Roads Superintendent Steve
Campbell

C. 9:35 A.M. NATURAL RESOURCES
1.

Discussion/Information only: regarding the White Pine County Natural
Resources, Public Lands and Water Issues Tracking List. Jeremy Drew,
Principal Resource Specialist, Resource Concepts, Inc.

*2. Discussion/For Possible Action: ratification of a comment letter to the BLM
Proposed Grazing Regulations. Per previous authorization, this letter was
submitted on July 13th to meet BLM's comment deadlines. Jeremy Drew,
Principal Resource Specialist, Resource Concepts, Inc.

D. 9:45 A.M. LIQUOR BOARD

*1. Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval of a liquor license for the Ely Rotary
Club Golf Tournament for the period of July 24, 2026 through July 25, 2026
to be held at the White Pine County Golf Course by Applicant Gary Fairman.
Sheriff Scott Henriod

*2. Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval of the May 27, 2026 Liquor Board
Minutes
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*3. Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval of the June 10, 2026 Liquor Board
Minutes

E.

9:50 A.M. NEVADA STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER
1.

Discussion/Information Only: Update from the Nevada State Public
Defender's Office regarding the status of indigent defense services provided to
White Pine County. Jim Hoffman, Interim Nevada State Public Defender

3. ITEMS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS AND
DEPARTMENT HEADS
A. COUNTY COMMISSION

1. Paula Carson, Commission Chair
*a)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to renew the Inter-Local
Service Agreement with NNRDA (Northeastern Nevada Regional
Development Authority) for fiscal year 2026-2027 for $6,840.90 with
funds from Economic Development

*b)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Ratification of the acceptance of fully
engraved, stainless-steel replicas of the Declaration of Independence,
US Constitution, Bill of Rights and Civil Rights Amendments, as a Gift
to the citizens of White Pine County from the Charters of Freedom
Project. Discussion of the future project for White Pine County

*c)

Discussion/For
Possible
Action:
Approval
of
the
formation/appointment of a committee/designee(s)
for changes
effective July 1, 2026 for NRS 278.150, 278.160, 278.170, 278.257. This
is regarding Master Plan: Preparation and adoption by planning
committee; adoption by governing body of city or county and Elements
of Master Plan

*d)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to adopt Resolution 2026-18
imposing a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and
approval of land use applications for data center development within
White Pine County, Nevada, pending completion and adoption of data
center-specific zoning and land use regulations

2. Tim Pauley, Vice Chairman
*a)

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Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to adopt Resolution No.
2026-16 establishing a policy requiring all surplus county equipment,
vehicles, and other personal property be offered for public auction
prior to donation of such property

3. Pat Robison, Commissioner
*a)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to accept the resignation of
Commissioner Pat Robison as the liaison to the Golf Advisory Board
and approval to appoint a different Commissioner to serve as the
liaison

*b)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to relocate the Golf Advisory
Board meetings from the Golf Course Clubhouse to an alternate
meeting location

B. ELECTED OFFICIALS

1. Melissa Brown, District Attorney
*a)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to retain the Nevada law
firm of ALLISON MacKENZIE as outside legal counsel to represent
White Pine County in connection with legal matters relating to the
negotiation of a proposed Memorandum of Understanding between
White Pine County and the Seventh Judicial District Court; approval
of the Professional Services Agreement; and, authorization for the
District Attorney to execute the Agreement on behalf of White Pine
County

2. Nichole Stephey, County Clerk
*a)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to cancel the September 23,
2026 regular White Pine County Board of Commission Meeting due to
scheduling conflicts with the NACO Conference

*b)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval of the Minutes from the June
24, 2026 Joint White Pine County Commission, Fire Commission &
Road Commission Meeting

*c)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval of the minutes from the June
29, 2026 Special Joint White Pine County Commission & Fire
Commission Meeting

C. DEPARTMENT HEADS

1. Alicia Berkbigler, Finance Director/Comptroller
*a)

Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval of the IT Department’s
request for a 10% salary increase for the IT Staff, effective July 1, 2026

2. Mike Halsey, Human Resources Director
*a)

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Discussion/For Possible Action: Approval to create the position of
Paralegal in the County. The recommended salary range is from
$57,424.00- $62,090.00, depending on experience

PUBLIC COMMENT:

A period devoted to comments by the general public that is
intended to allow members of the public to present information and viewpoints. The
Commission(s) may impose reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of public
comment to ensure the orderly conduct of the meeting. The Commission(s) may restrict conduct that

is willfully disruptive, including conduct that materially interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting
or the ability of others to be heard. The Commission Chair may reasonably limit unduly repetitious
comments and comments that are not within the jurisdiction of the Commission(s). All comments are to be
directed to the Commission(s) as a whole. The Chair may order the removal of a person from the meeting
if the person’s conduct is willfully disruptive and interferes with the orderly conduct or safety of the
meeting. A warning may be provided prior to removal when practicable. Certain conduct that disrupts a
public meeting may constitute a violation of Nevada law, including provisions of NRS Chapter 203. In
accordance with NRS Chapter 241, no action may be taken upon a matter raised under public comment
unless the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as an item upon which action may be
taken.

County Commission

* Adjournment

NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

Members of the public who are disabled and require special assistance or accommodations
at the meeting are requested to notify the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners at 801 Clark
Street, Suite 4, Ely, Nevada 89301; or by calling 775-293-6509 at least two (2) days in advance.
Affidavit:
I, Nichole Stephey, did on the 16th day of July, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. cause to be posted (5) five
notices of the Joint White Pine County Commission, Fire Commission & Road Commission
Meeting Agenda in the County of White Pine, to-wit: At the Historic Courthouse at 801
Clark Street, the Justice Center at 1786 Great Basin Boulevard, at the Public
Safety Building, the White Pine County Library, and at the Post Office. The meeting notice
is also posted to the White Pine County website at http://whitepinecounty.net and on the
State of Nevada Public Notices website at http://notice.nv.gov. An additional copy of the
Agenda along with supporting material, if any, are on display and available near the front
counter of the White Pine County Clerk’s Office at 801 Clark Street, Suite 4, Ely, NV 89301.

Nichole Stephey

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