Hearing set on Topaz Ranch Estates petition

A March 18 hearing has been set on a petition from Topaz Ranch Estates residents asking county commissioners to take corrective action for their district.

Letters went out to residents on Leap Day announcing the 10 a.m. meeting at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1616 Eighth St., in Minden.

Under state law, commissioners have four options as a result of the hearing, including doing nothing.

They could also take over as the board of trustees, dissolve the district or file a petition in district court to appoint a receiver.

At a Feb. 14 meeting, Topaz Ranch Estates General Improvement District board members discussed sending letters opposing having the county take over or dissolving the district.

The Record-Courier has reached out to the district to find out if the letters were approved. They also discussed having their attorney work with the county on behalf of the district, according to the agenda on the website.

Trustee Dave Akola, one of the main proponents of turning the district over to the county, resigned from the board, which was accepted at the Feb. 28 meeting.

The petition received by commissioners in November requires the county to set a time and date for a public hearing after a fifth of the district’s registered voters signed.

The statute under which the petition was circulated requires the county to notify all residents of the meeting.

At a November meeting discussing the petition, Topaz Ranch Estates Trustee Michael Tanner said the district was capable of handling its own affairs.

At issue is dealing with the damage from last winter’s record Tonopah low storm. The community maintains 27 miles of roads and was having difficulty before the storm, which exacerbated the issue.