Douglas County commissioner expresses regret for action at meeting

STATELINE, Nev. – One of the two Douglas County commissioners involved in an altercation on Thursday has issued a statement, regretting the behavior displayed at their meeting in Lake Tahoe.

“As the Chairman of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners, I would like to express that I regret the behavior which occurred during the Board of County Commissioners Meeting on May 16, 2019," said Commission Chair Barry Penzel. "This is not the way we wish to conduct business for the people of Douglas County. I am committed to working on settling our differences in a more appropriate manner in the future.”

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is investigating the activities that led to a shoving match with one commissioner, John Engels, reportedly falling and suffering a cut on his face.

This is a current open investigation and no further information has been provided. The case will be referred to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review.

The situation occurred as the commissioners were discussing the South Tahoe Events Center proposed for the Stateline area in the MontBleu parking. All commissioners except for Engels returned over 90 minutes later to continue the discussion. No decision was made though all in attendance were able to make statements.

Penzel represents District 5 and Engels represents District 2.

Their next scheduled meeting is slated for Monday afternoon at their Minden board room at 3:00 p.m. They will be discussing, and possibly approving, the 2019/20 budget for Douglas County, the Douglas County Redevelopment Agency, the Towns of Gardnerville, Genoa, and Minden and the Tahoe-Douglas Transportation District.