TONOPAH -- Dr. Pejman Bady made the trip to Tonopah Tuesday only to find his request to renew his lease at Pahrump Medical Center for another five years was postponed again by Nye County commissioners.

Commissioners also tabled the approval of a change order of up to $100,000 with attorney Keith Loomis.

Both items were rescheduled for a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 13.

Bady suggested increasing the lease from 50 cents per square foot to 55 cents. A competing physician, Dr. Michael Reiner, criticized the county at prior meetings for subsidizing the lease.

During the last commission meeting in Pahrump, a number of Bady's patients testified in support of the doctor. The lease expires in November, but there is a 90-day termination clause.

Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley suggested increasing the rate from 55 cents per square foot -- what she called "a screaming hot deal" -- to 65 cents, a rate with which Bady agreed.

Assistant County Manager Pam Webster said a survey of other medical offices, taken by newly promoted Planning Director Steve Osborne, showed the going lease rate ranged from 80 cents per square foot to $1.57. But Eastley pointed out Bady has to pay property taxes, which Webster said would make his lease payments equal to 70 cents per square foot.

Commissioner Butch Borasky brought up the fact Bady was providing a free medical clinic on Fridays. When Borasky asked about the dollar value, Bady estimated it was worth from $1,000 to $1,500 per month.

Bady suggested he should get a discount due to the large size of the building --16,000 square feet.

"That's true if you are dealing with a private property owner," said Eastley. "This land is owned by the taxpayers of Nye County. We are governed by a different law. Nevada Revised Statutes, I think, pretty much require charging whatever the equivalent fair market value is."

Bady also wanted the ability to sublet office space to other medical providers. He also wanted to get rid of some obsolete equipment, like an X-ray machine and some computers.

Commissioner Gary Hollis suggested Bady contact Nye County Facilities Manager Bob Jones and auction off the property.

Eastley questions

Eastley also had questions about the contract with Attorney Steve Loomis, since 3rd District Judge Robert Estes last week appointed Attorney Peter S. Christiansen to prosecute District Attorney Bob Beckett for misuse of the bad check program and Sheriff's Dep. David Boruchowitz for false arrest and other charges.

Eastley said Boruchowitz is not even being prosecuted any more.

Nye County Manager Rick Osborne said Loomis would represent the county in actions that Beckett may take on Open Meetings Law violations against county commissioners that were alleged by Beckett's attorney, Leslie Stovall, or "any ancillary type of actions that might come up."

Mindful of the Nevada Open Meetings Act, Nye County Chief Civil Deputy District Attorney Marla Zlotek said the item was worded too vaguely for the agenda. She was concerned over wording approving the change order in the Beckett and Boruchowitz prosecution "to provide legal services on any and all matters involving Mr. Beckett."

Hollis said he had a request from Beckett to speak on the matter. Beckett appeared during the morning session of the county commission but didn't return after lunch when the item again came up for discussion.