Genoans prefer remaining in Tahoe district

A proposal to move Genoa into the same commissioner district as Minden and Gardnerville wasn’t very popular with Genoans.

Douglas County commissioners voted 4-1 Thursday to select a district map that comes closest to the current configuration.

Commissioner John Engels was the lone vote against the proposal, which was the only one that included his residence in his district.

While county commissioners are elected at-large, commissioners must live in the district they represent. If one of the other two options presented was approved, Engels wouldn’t be able to file for re-election in March.

“I’m uncomfortable districting any commissioner out of his district,” Commissioner Wes Rice said, pointing out that the approved proposal seemed to have the fewest changes and maintains the closest population balance. “That looks to me to be the fairest one for all concerned.”

Engels preferred the option that would combine the towns and said he knew his address wouldn’t be included in that configuration.

“It’s obvious to me I’m pushed out and I look forward to running against Commissioner (Mark) Gardner,” he said. “Genoa has grown substantially and it’s not part of the Lake any longer.”

On Wednesday, the Genoa Town Board decided that they would prefer to remain included with Lake Tahoe.

Town Manager Matt Bruback said in reviewing the three options, the one that would combine the towns was a non-starter.

Genoa Lakes resident Dan Aynesworth said the option combining the three towns would actually cut off the town from its surrounding area, where most residents actually live.

Minden Town Manager JD Frisby said that many residents of the county seat felt they were underrepresented in option 1. District 1 Commissioner Danny Tarkanian is the closest commissioner to Gardnerville, though most of his district is in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

An online survey to find out residents’ preference only received 17 responses, with the third option receiving the most support of 12 and the option commissioners selected receiving four.

Tarkanian said it was possible residents weren’t aware that option 3 would remove Engels from his district.

Both Engels’ and Rice’s seats are up for election this year, and the district maps have to be done before filing begins on March 7-8. An ordinance introducing the new map is scheduled to be Jan. 20, with a second reading Feb. 3.

Rice lives at Lake Tahoe, but commissioners representing District 4 have lived in Carson Valley, including Tim Smith and for some of her three terms, Nancy McDermid.

Thursday’s meeting opened with Gardner being selected chairman of the board and Rice, vice chairman.