he county manager is an appointive position filled by the Board of County Commissioners as authorized under the provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 244.125.  The current county manager has served in that position for over 2 years.

Because the county manager’s duties are so varied in nature, the ability to call upon other managers, administrators, elected officials and members of business and industry, allows the office to be responsive to the needs of the Board of Churchill County Commissioners, the chief policy making body of the county.  The county manager has developed a significant network of contacts and acquaintances enabling him to draw upon resources well beyond those available at the local level.

While the Board of Churchill County Commissioners is an elective body with each member serving a four-year staggered term, the county manager occupies a statutorily enabled "at will" position. The most noteworthy provision of the statute governing this position states: "The county manager shall hold his office at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners, and may be removed from office by the board at any time." Thus, the county manager must be responsive to the policies determined by the Board of County Commissioners or face the possibility of immediate dismissal.

The county manager’s functions are extremely varied in nature and require a general working knowledge in many disciplines. Aside from serving the administrative needs of the commissioners, the most important function is the dissemination of County Commission policies to county departments and the community and the maintenance of a ready accessibility of the office to the public. Other duties and functions include, but are not limited to:

• Providing administrative oversight on behalf of the Board for the various departments within the county;

• Offering suggestions and providing research to the Board on matters coming before them for decision or implementation;

• Acting in an advisory capacity to the Nevada Tax Commission, State Board for Financing Water Projects, Central Nevada Water Authority and Northern Nevada Development Authority.

• Representing county interests before the legislature;

• Representing the county on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners at numerous judicial and general public functions, and

• Being prepared to address nearly every local Government issue with tact and some knowledge while withstanding the close scrutiny of a critical public.

Elected constitutional officers supervise many county departments such as the Clerk/Treasurer, Assessor, Sheriff, Recorder, Justice of the Peace and the District Attorney. As a result, the county manager must rely on consensus building as a leadership style in dealing with these independent offices. This is somewhat different than a more directive approach, which might be acceptable in private business organizations. 

Since constitutional officers have specific powers defined by both the Nevada Constitution and State Statute, the Board of County Commissioners relies upon goodwill and close cooperation between all county departments to accomplish the objectives that our constituents expect and the law requires. It is up to the county manager to foster the climate necessary to attain the general goals and purposes set forth by the board. We are very proud that Churchill County continues to enjoy the services of some of the most dedicated elected and appointed officials in Nevada government today.

As the community experiences growth, demands placed upon the county manager continue to escalate. Yet, the county manager’s office is small consisting only of the manager and the administrative assistant. The departmental budget expenditures are small representing a minute fraction of the overall general fund operating expenditures.

Projects, programs and communications intertwine in the course of a day, a month and a year to fully involve the county manager in activities which may only be important to the moment or which will affect our community long into the future. The office of the county manager exists for the purpose of bringing continuity to the affairs of Churchill County government. But above all else, the office exists to communicate with the public. Should you have any questions regarding local government, please feel free to contact the office.