Lyon government looks for more office space

YERINGTON - Faced with the reality of an overburdened health and safety complex, Lyon County commissioners have decided to assess the county's overall office space needs before committing to any expansion, relocation or building plans.

County Manager Stephen Snyder said he placed the issue of overcrowding at the Nevin Way complex on the commissioner agenda to see what interest the board might have in expanding the current site, but also stressed the need for a comprehensive view of current and impending needs.

"If you want to include something (for Nevin Way), you should include it during the current budget process," he suggested, "However, things are coming to a head on overall space allocation in the county."

Commissioners David Fulstone and Phyllis Hunewill said they preferred to wait until the new Courthouse Annex is completed before making any decisions regarding office space needs.

"We don't know yet what will be moved," Hunewill said. "This is premature, but we should look at all departments and areas together, at the same time."

Commissioner LeRoy Goodman cautioned, "Long range may not be that long."

The Nevin Way complex houses the Public Health Nurse, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol programs in one building, with the Sheriff's Department, Jail, Juvenile Probation and Mason Valley Justice Court housed in the second.

Sheriff Sid Smith said trying to plan for his needs is difficult without knowing what the county's overall plans are going to be.

"It is frustrating trying to put plans together. We need an idea of what is available," Smith said. "If we knew what would be available now, we could plan for it or consider other options."

Smith said if the juvenile probation and the justice court were relocated, possibly into the building currently occupied by Human Services, the sheriff's department could than expand into the vacated space. Other options considered over the past several years have included building a new law enforcement complex, possibly in the Silver Springs area.

Public Health staff recommended the board look at where office space can best serve its clients and each other and suggested locating all health related services close to each other, near the hospital if possible.

Snyder said a committee would move forward immediately and have a plan to present to the board in two weeks.