State to update Carson on 2001 road plans

The Nevada Department of Transportation is planning to spend more than $8 million on roadwork in Carson City next year.

State officials will update Carson City supervisors on their proposed projects for 2001. Projects include a $970,000 overlay project for about a mile and a half of Highway 50 East and a $979,000 overlay project for more than a mile of College Parkway.

"We update all 17 counties every summer," said Scott Magruder, state transportation spokesman. "We just go in and say, 'This is what we've got planned in your county. This is what we plan on constructing.' This is what Carson City can expect next year."

The state plans projects up to 10 years in advance in their statewide transportation improvement plan. Most projects planned for 2001 are small maintenance projects like sidewalk installation. But $5 million is set aside to for preliminary engineering designs and to purchase right of way for the freeway's southern leg. The state's plans for 2002 include $8 million more for engineering and right of way costs for the freeway's southern leg as well as $130 million for the first leg of the freeway, which is under construction.

Carson City supervisors will also:

- Discuss Carson-Tahoe Hospital's plans for affiliation.

The hospital began looking for a partner in April. Seven letters of interests have been received from potential partners. However, hospital officials are mum on who is interested in affiliation and what the proposals detail.

Hospital officials say with the changing state of the health care industry it is pertinent to look for a partner while its financial position is the hospital's biggest asset.

The health care industry is in a state of flux with rising labor costs and cuts to Medicare reimbursements among other changes that worries hospital officials. While the city-owned hospital is profitable now, that could change at any moment. Hospital Chief Executive Officer Smith Smith said previously the hospital is in a good financial position to look for its "big brother" now before profits turn or competition comes into the market and dilutes the patient base.

Hospital officials hope by affiliating a partner will have access to some of the funds needed to begin to chip away at a $63 million improvement plan. Presumably, affiliation with a larger company would allow the hospital access to expanded medical services and potentially lower the cost of health care.

- Fill three vacancies on the Carson City Convention and Visitor's Bureau Board. Dwight Millard is seeking reappointment to the hotel/motel position and Joe De Lonardo is seeking reappointment to the business owner position. However, there are six candidates for the citizen at large position, with Don Quilici seeking reappointment.

If you go:

What: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

When: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Where: the Community Center's Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.