Storey County commissioners approve community grants, advance major capital projects at the June 16 commission meeting

The Storey County Board of Commissioners approved various community grant funding at the June 16, 2026, meeting, advanced several capital improvement projects and received updates on infrastructure, public safety and ongoing county initiatives during its regular meeting Tuesday.

One of the meeting's largest actions was the approval of fiscal year 2026-27 non-profit operation support funding for seven local organizations.

Community Chest received $730,997 to support health, human services, education and community programs. The Historic Fourth Ward School Foundation was awarded $130,000 for the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum and local history programs, St. Mary's Art Center received $109,000 in operations support funding for building preservation and arts and cultural programming, and UNR Storey County Extension was approved for $55,000 for operations support funding for educational and community-based programs.

The board also approved grants of $12,000 each for the Storey County Jeep Posse, to assist Storey County residents, and VFW Evans-Kendall Post 8071 to support funding for veteran services and the community, along with $6,000 for the 109 Comstock Ladies to support funding for youth programs and heritage preservation activities.

Commissioners also approved a Notice of Intent with the Storey County School District to begin planning for the future transfer and conversion of the Virginia City Middle School and Hugh Gallagher Elementary School campuses to administrative and community uses.

County staff reported continued progress on the planned Justice Center Complex. Twenty-five firms from across the country submitted statements of interest for the project. The county will begin interviews and qualifications reviews before returning to the board later this summer with recommended proposals. Design work is expected to begin in late summer or early fall.

The board approved a $150,665 design contract for renovations to the TRI Sheriff's Office McCarran Substation and authorized a $24,000 boundary survey for parcels associated with the proposed Gold Hill Depot area park. Commissioners also approved contracts for appraisals of two Mark Twain properties that may be considered for future flood mitigation infrastructure.

County Manager Austin Osborne reported that work continues on reorganizing Justice Court operations and developing a strategic plan for the department. He said the court remains understaffed while handling a significant workload. Recruitment for an Administrative Assistant II position is progressing, and interviews are being scheduled for an Administrative Assistant I opening.

Commissioners also set the county's fiscal year 2026-27 tax rate at 3.4607, unchanged from the previous year. The board approved the county's liability and casualty insurance renewal, adopted the Gold Canyon Area Drainage Master Plan, approved budget transfers with no net change to the county's fiscal year 2025-26 budget, and approved the final canvass of the June 9 primary election.

Additional actions included approving an updated agreement with the Nevada Secretary of State for the state's voter registration and election management system, authorizing an easement for NV Energy communication and electric facilities serving the Mark Twain Community Center, and directing staff to participate in consumer sessions and submit comments on NV Energy's 2026 Joint Triennial Integrated Resource Plan.

The board also approved a future joint meeting with the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County to discuss regional transportation projects, including commuter rail, the Northeast Connector and Interstate 80 improvements.

During staff reports, county officials announced that bids for the Mark Twain Road Rehabilitation Project will open Friday. Commissioners were also informed that future requests for speed bumps will be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners.

Public Works also reported that a semi-truck recently damaged a bridge and guardrail in Lockwood, causing an estimated $15,000 in repairs. The Sheriff's Office identified the responsible party, and the county expects to recover the repair costs.

Storey County continues restoration work at Piper's Opera House, where contractors are restoring the building's historic doors and windows. Staff reported that crews have encountered hidden deterioration beneath more than 140 years of paint and previous repairs while completing custom millwork to return the doors to their original condition. The Old Corner remains open during construction.

Property owners within Virginia City's R-1 residential zoning district have received an Accessory Dwelling Unit survey by mail. The survey includes nine yes-or-no questions and may be completed online, by mail or by downloading a printable version from the county website. Completed paper surveys may also be returned to designated county locations by July 8, 2026.

The Sheriff's Office reported continued increases in calls for service and enforcement activity throughout the county and at the TRI-Center as development and activity continue to grow.

Virginia City Tourism Commission staff reported preparations continue for Hot August Nights on July 31 and Aug. 1. Advance ticket sales sold out approximately two months before the event, and resident outreach is planned to help minimize impacts on the community.

Community Chest staff reminded motorists to use caution around the Community Center due to increased youth activity during the summer months.