Elko commissioners vote to dissolve development authority

"So be it," said Commission Chairman Tony Lesperance following the action that ended the agency's 14-year metamorphosis.

In its place, the commission last week voted to form the Elko County Economic Diversification Authority, a reorganized entity intended to have more direct accountability and significantly more funds to attract new business and industry to Elko County.

The 14-member NENDA board will be replaced by a five-member EDA board, consisting of the chairman of the county commission and the mayors of Elko, Carlin, Wells and Wendover, or their appointees.

"I want members identified as the top elected official," Lesperance said. "I want to make sure that the buck stops someplace. With those five people that was the best way to handle it."

Commissioners have already agreed to set aside $110,000 in their 1999-2000 budget to fund the new EDA from the county's share of net proceeds of mining taxes.

The new agreement forming the agency, which still must be formally approved by the four cities, will qualify the EDA for up to $65,000 in funding from the state.

Up to $30,000 in combined contributions is anticipated from the four cities.

"We will reassess the whole concept of marketing and determine what we have to market and develop an aggressive strategy," Lesperance said.

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