County to seek applicants for planning commission, audit committee

Not all the positions open for appointment were filled by county commissioners on Thursday.

While Planning Commissioner Bryce Clutts was reappointed, commissioners were reluctant to appoint either former Community Development Director Mimi Moss or three-year Gardnerville Ranchos resident Amanda Holland.

“My concern is that Ms. Holland is not experienced enough, and Mimi Moss might be too experienced,” Commissioner Sharla Hales said. “I’m concerned about the dynamic on the board with someone with so much experience in the field. I have a lot of respect for the work and her previous commitment to the county.”

Moss, a Minden resident, worked 24 years for the county planning department, 11 of those as its manager. She participated in the master plan updates over the course of her employment.

Moss has recently started attending meetings to advocate for the preservation of the conservation easements established as part of planned developments.

Commission Chairman Mark Gardner agreed with Hales.

Instead of appointing either woman, commissioners asked that the position be advertised for additional applicants.

Commissioner Danny Tarkanian was the lone vote against leaving the position open pending further applicants.

“I’m all in favor of Mimi Moss,” he said. “She has more background than anybody else on this.”

County Manager Jenifer Davidson urged commissioners to make appointments to the planning commission as quickly as possible because several issues require a super majority of the board.

“It is an important advisory board,” she said. “We don’t want to leave them too long without full membership.”

Davidson said it would take the county two weeks to advertise the position.

That’s likely true of the sole position on the audit committee, as well.

The only applicant, Indian Hills resident and Nevada Motor Carrier Division Administrator Michael Xavier, was appointed to the Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife.

Commissioners generally only appoint a person to a single board. Xavier applied for five separate positions, and the wildlife board was first in line.

Commissioners reappointed applicants who applied for the advisory boards, though there were a few newcomers.

Genoa resident and former elected library board member Theresa Oliveira was appointed to the vacant seat on the Douglas County Library Board of Trustees. Starla Doughty and Jimayne Merkow were reappointed to the board.

Longtime aviation advocate Mike Bradford was appointed to the Airport Advisory Committee to replace Keith Richter, who was not seeking reappointment. Robert Trumbly, Virginia Starrett and A.J. Ursic were all reappointed to the committee.

Veteran Parks & Recreation Advisory Board members Gary Dove, Debra Lang and Cherise Smith were all reappointed.

Vacation Home Rental Advisory Board members Mickie Hempler and Glenn Wolfson were also both reappointed.