There wasn’t any worry about Douglas County commissioners running up staff overtime on Thursday after their first official 10 a.m. meeting wrapped up before lunchtime.
Commissioners voted 3-2 on Feb. 3 to start their meetings at 10 a.m.
The question was raised by Chairman Mark Gardner, who said that every time the meeting goes past 4 p.m., it increases staff costs.
At one point during the 1980s and 1990s, commissioners were meeting three times a month, starting at 9 a.m. and sometimes going late into the evening.
Back in 1986, The R-C suggested moving the meetings to 1 p.m.
There were instances during master plan amendment hearings that the board would start meeting at 9 a.m. and not adjourn until after midnight.
In 1996, Clerk-Treasurer Barbara Griffin observed that the county commission had the longest meetings in the state, which was costing the county $145,860 a year to staff.
It wasn’t long after that, commissioners started meeting at 1 p.m. through the late 1990s and eliminated the second meeting they held in Carson Valley.
There was some pushback against moving the meeting from commissioners John Engels and Walt Nowosad, who voted against the time change.
“We’re here for the convenience of the public, not the staff,” Engels said, observing the crowd was sparse at the meeting.
Commissioner Danny Tarkanian said he’d asked earlier if the meetings could be moved to an earlier time.
“If it’s saving the county money and time, and it keeps everyone from being here until late at night, it’s a good move,” he said.
Douglas County commissioners meet the first and third Thursdays in the historic Courthouse, 1616 Eighth St., Minden.
Meetings are also online at www.douglascountynv.gov. Agendas may be accessed by clicking agendas and minutes and residents may watch the meetings by clicking watch board meetings. Residents may comment online by following the Zoom instructions in the board packet.
Along with that earlier time, Gardner said he wants to start doing invocations before the meetings again.
For more information regarding invocation guidelines or to complete the Invocation Interest Form, visit https://www.douglascountynv.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=12493103&pageId=16455995.
