Challenger Tim Bickerton unseated incumbent Mayor Neal McIntyre, while Debbie Skinner and Alisa Rhyno won seats on the Fernley City Council in Tuesday's election.
Bickerton received 3,714 votes, or 51.58%, to defeat McIntyre, who received 3,486 votes, or 48.42%.
In Ward 1, Skinner defeated Ryan Hanan 799 votes to 680, earning 54.02% of the vote. In Ward 3, Rhyno defeated Ryan Cross 675 votes to 473, receiving 58.80% of the vote.
Bickerton said he expected the mayoral race to be close and credited voters for seeking change.
" I was a bit surprised. I figured a very close second for me," Bickerton said. "I think regular people just decided they had enough and they wanted to elect a regular person, and they got out and voted."
Bickerton said the vote total surpassed what previous mayoral races have drawn and said he understands the limits of what can be accomplished by the mayor acting alone.
"I believe I have a very good grasp of what I can accomplish individually and what has to be accomplished by teamwork, city council and city employees," he said.
Among his goals, Bickerton said he wants to strengthen relationships between the city and other local agencies and entities.
"I am also going to reach out for other local entities to establish a better rapport than the city seemed to have with them before, and I think they will be receptive, too," he said. "I think the open and honest conversation that will be shared with the public will go a long way with the good and with the bad news."
Rhyno said she plans to spend her first months in office learning more about city operations and working with fellow council members to establish priorities.
"I don't have specific priorities at this time," Rhyno said. "I want to get in there and assess where things stand and get priorities set up as a group with the city. Definitely want to work well with them."
Rhyno said she was surprised by the outcome and hopes to use her position to increase communication with residents.
"I was surprised that I won, but I'm excited," she said. "I do want to make a difference, make changes, educate the residents a little bit more. I do want to be very involved with the residents."
Rhyno said she would like to hold regular meetings with Ward 3 residents to discuss issues and gather feedback. She added that her campaign gave her a greater understanding of city government and local issues.
Skinner said she intends to spend time listening and learning before setting priorities.
"I don't know that I have priorities. I want to get in and kind of look and see what's going on, what the thoughts are," Skinner said. "I want to be able to listen and hear people with their concerns."
While noting recent accomplishments in Fernley, Skinner said she wants to maintain the community-focused character she remembers from raising her family in the city.
"Although we've had some great things happen in Fernley, I'd like to bring the heart of Fernley back," she said. "It's a place where I raised my kids and they're raising their kids. Sometimes I think the priority of the community health needs to be looked at."
Skinner also said her election will allow her to continue serving on the North Lyon County Fire Protection District board because the position is a district office rather than a city office.
Elsewhere in local races, Christine Sullivan and Aaron Wilson won election to the North Lyon County Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Both Sullivan and Wilson had been appointed to the board to fill vacant seats. Sullivan led the field with 3,655 votes, followed by Wilson with 3,354. Erik Wallitner received 2,283 votes.
For Lyon County School Board, Michael Moore defeated Pete Chapin in District 2, while Kalie Day defeated Vince Spoon in District 6.
In countywide races, Brad Pope won reelection as Lyon County sheriff and former deputy district attorney Mark Krueger was elected district attorney.
The Lyon County Commission and Fernley City Council are scheduled to canvass the election results during special meetings at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13. The canvass is the final review and certification process before results become official.
Fernley's newly elected mayor and city council members are scheduled to be sworn in at the council's Nov. 18 meeting. Other elected officials will take their oaths of office in January.
Local and county general election results (Totals as of 5 p.m. Nov. 9)
Mayor
Tim Bickerton 3,714 (51.58%)
Neal McIntyre 3,486 (48.42%)
City Council Ward 1
Debbie Skinner 799 (54.02%)
Ryan Hanan 680 (45.98%)
Fernley City Council Ward 3
Alisa Rhyno 675 (58.80%)
Ryan Cross 473 (41.20%)
North Lyon County Fire Protection District Director
Christine Sullivan 3,655 (39.33%)
Aaron Wilson 3,354 (36.10%)
Erik Wallitner 2,283 (24.57%)
Lyon County School Board Trustee, District 2
Michael Moore 10,065 (52.42%)
Pete Chapin 9,134 (47.58%)
Lyon County School Board Trustee District 6
Kalie Day 11,222 (58.34%)
Vince Spoon 8,013 (41.66%)
Lyon County Sheriff
Brad Pope 14,437 (66.79%)
Timothy Shaffer 7,178 (33.19%)
District Attorney
Mark Krueger 14,786 (64.95%)
Mario Walther 7,979 (35.05%)
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