SILVER SPRINGS - Lyon County commissioners will remain in charge of the new Silver Springs sewer and wastewater reclamation project.
Despite pleas to delay a final decision on the issue, commissioners voted last week to adopt an organizational chart keeping them as district directors and putting County Utilities Manager Mark Clarkson in charge.
The General Improvement District administrator/operator will answer to Clarkson.
County Public Works Director Dan O'Brien said, "If you have too many chiefs to answer to, the board will have problems. Having that one person to focus on who will know what is going on is the best way to do it."
Saying he had been made aware of some differences of opinion on the matter, Commissoner Bob Milz recommended delaying a vote on the issue until the Nov. 2 commission meeting.
"The local folks and the oversight committee have met and have some differences. They felt they are being left out of the loop."
Hale Bennett, owner of the Silver Springs Airport and member of the committee, agreed.
"The commission has two organizational charts in front of it," Bennett said. "This indicates there is some confusion as to which direction we should go. We need one organizational chart acceptable to everyone."
Commissioner Chet Hillyard presented a third chart at the meeting.
Differences evolved over whether operations of the system should be put under the control of the county Utilities Division or contracted out. Some residents claimed the Silver Springs Municipal Water Co. could operate it under contract at a considerable savings to users.
Commissioner David Fulstone, however, argued for immediate action.
"Delaying would be a step backwards. We are going to be flushing toilets soon. We need to move forward today," he said. "I feel it is very important we do it this way (county utilities in charge).
"It is very important we make sure when it starts up to operate efficiently with one voice. Sometime there will be a GID board of directors. They can make changes."
The system is scheduled for startup prior to Thanksgiving.
