Seven races set as districts see 29 candidates file

Of Douglas County’s score of taxing districts with elected boards, only seven will see races this year.

The 29 residents who filed for seats on districts won’t be on the ballot until November, because none drew enough candidates to prompt a primary.

The districts provide a variety of functions, from operating the Carson Valley Swim Center and firefighting to serving as governing boards for Douglas County communities. Each has taxing authority to accomplish its function.

Five people filed for three seats on the East Fork Swimming Pool District, including current board members Sharon Des Jardines and Teresa Duffy. Also filing were Genoa resident Alan Ferguson and Gardnerville residents Allen John Biaggi and Barbara Kuehner.

Former County commissioner and current planning commissioner Dave Nelson was one of four people to file for two seats on the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District Board. Also filing is district trustee Jim DeGraffenried, and residents Haley Mosegard and Deni Caster.

Indian Hills General Improvement District trustee Russ Siegman will face former trustee Kathryn Clark Ross and resident Nancy Jones for two seats on the board.

Present Topaz Ranch Estates General Improvement District trustee Sharon Becker and newly appointed trustee Jeffrey Burgess will face residents Alton Randall and Wynona Gonzalez for two seats on that board.

Kingsbury General Improvement District Board trustee Craig Schorr will face term-limited Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District chairman Greg Felton and residents Bryce Cranch, Sara Nelson and Edward Johns.

Over at the Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District Board, four people sought three seats, including those vacated by Felton and Janet Murphy. Daniel Kruger, Robert De Sipio Jr. Benjaman Ward and John Breaux filed for seats on the board.

Roundhill General Improvement District trustee Darin R. Smith is seeking a third term and trustee Gregg Rossi is seeding a second term. Former fire district trustee Murphy, who ran against Wes Rice for Douglas County commissioner in 2022, was the third person to file for the board.

Last year, Douglas County commissioners were clear that they didn’t want to have to repeat having to appoint trustees after it was learned that most of the Elk Point General Improvement District board wasn’t even registered to vote in Douglas County. Filing saw all five seats on that district board spoken for.

There are still a few district boards with no candidates, including Sierra Estates and Zephyr Knolls, both of which have five open seats.

The rest each have at least one filing and some more.