PVT FILE PHOTO Nye County Manager Rick Osborne Advertisement

TONOPAH -- Nye County Commissioner Butch Borasky had insisted on a one-year probationary period for County Manager Rick Osborne when he was hired last July, but it was Borasky who pushed for lifting his probationary status early at Tuesday's meeting.

The move could be largely superficial, since county managers serve as at-will employees, subject to being terminated at any time. However his contract allows him one year severance pay if he's terminated without cause after his probationary period.

Commissioner Joni Eastley cast the sole vote against the motion. Eastley said other department heads had one year probationary periods and would request the same consideration. She also complained there were no goals set for Osborne for a fair performance evaluation.

"If we terminate you without cause like we did a prevous manager, we pay you a year's salary and we haven't even gotten through the review process yet," Eastley said.

Eastley said it might be easier for Pahrump commissioners to evaluate his performance since he lives in Pahrump.

A performance review was due in February. Eastley, a fellow Ohioan, said Osborne landed in a western county where he had a major learning curve dealing with unique issues like legalized prostitution and gambling, as well as cattle drives.

"I have had a lot of experience in government. So many of the things I'm faced with here, I have had experience with before," Osborne replied.

Osborne worked his way up the ranks in the city of Tallmadge, Ohio, starting as a patrol officer in 1970 and eventually taking over as director of administration in 2000.

Osborne said, "In this position, city or county managers, you rarely find probationary periods attached to contracts. That's an uncommon practice. Secondly, if we are to accept your argument -- if we do this for one, you have to do it for the others -- what have my predecessors had in probation? Did they serve a term?"

Other commissioners supported Osborne wholeheartedly.

"I found him to be accountable. I found him to be respectable to other people. He has an open door policy," Commissioner Gary Hollis said. "As far as I'm concerned, he's doing a terrific job and I'll support him."

Borasky said, "He's met every challenge I've thrown at him head on and done a great job."

Commissioner Lorinda Wichman's only remark about Osborne was, "I would truly want to see an improvement in unifying the troops." Wichman said since her written evaluation, Osborne has demonstrated that ability.

Borasky said the county was penalizing Osborne, noting he wants to buy a house but wanted to get a secure position.

A few Realtors stayed for the end of the Tuesday meeting to express support for Osborne.

"It's been fortunate we've been able to sit down with Mr. Osborne and the planning department and present him with problems builders have presented to us. He listened, he got back to us, he called us back in again, he told us what changes were being made," said Karen Spalding, a member of a committee trying to streamline the planning department.

She added, "We finally saw the county manager and town manager working hand in hand. They were coming up with solutions and getting feedback from people working with them. I have never been in a position to be in meetings where things are positive. I don't feel intimidated and things are being done."

Realtor Paula Glidden said, "Rick has worked well with everyone down here. He's given everybody an open-door policy. He returns your calls, and I find him very respectful and diligent in his work."

Eastley said she hopes Osborne makes an attempt to develop that good relationship with other communities in Nye County.

After the 4-1 vote, Eastley told Osborne, "I understand you've already purchased your house so you were pretty confident how this would work out today."