Carson City Board of Supervisors Meeting - February 19, 2026
Carson City Board of Supervisors Meeting - February 19, 2026
The Carson City Board of Supervisors met on February 19, 2026, to address a range of items including establishing a filing period for a third Justice of the Peace, introducing an ordinance for a third municipal court department, adopting budget assumptions, approving ordinance readings, and authorizing a grant application to acquire conservation land in Ash Canyon. Multiple resolutions and ordinances were adopted, with one vote of opposition on the third court ordinance.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Agenda 19A (Ash Canyon land acquisition): Johanna Foster spoke in strong support of the purchase, citing protection of water quality, wildlife habitat, recreational access, and economic benefits from tourism. She noted that the parcel is currently privately owned but used by the public, and acquisition would prevent future development and closure.
Discussion Items
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Agenda 15B – Resolution for Third Justice of the Peace Filing Period: The board adopted Resolution 2026-R-5 unanimously to establish a filing period for candidates for a third Justice of the Peace, with a clerical correction to cite NRS 4.020 instead of 4.010. The need arose because Carson City’s population reached 61,888, requiring an additional justice per state law.
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Third Municipal Court Department (First Reading): Following the filing period item, the board discussed and voted on a proposed ordinance to establish a third department in Carson City Municipal Court and a related business impact statement. Supervisor White opposed, stating that required collaboration from the justices was missing and questioning whether a full-time justice was needed. The ordinance was introduced on first reading with a 4–1 vote (Supervisor White dissenting).
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Agenda 17A – Cost Allocation Plan: The board accepted the cost allocation plan for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, prepared by a third-party consultant, to be used in preparing the FY2027 budget. Unanimously approved.
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Agenda 17B – Budget Assumptions for FY2027: Staff presented revenue projections (5.5% increase), assessed value growth (actual 4.2% vs. projected 3.6%), and the property tax rate recommendation of $3.57 per $100 assessed value. Discussion covered abatements (currently $9.5 million), sales tax stagnation, and declining fund balance reserves. The board emphasized fiscal responsibility and the importance of maintaining ending fund balance above 10% (projected at 10.3% in FY2031). Unanimously approved directing staff to use the $3.57 rate in budget preparation.
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Agenda 17C – Ordinance 2026-4 (Second Reading): Ordinance renaming the BNT Special Infrastructure Fund to the Street and Highway Infrastructure Fund was adopted unanimously with no changes from first reading.
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Agenda 18A – Ordinance 2026-5 (Second Reading): Ordinance establishing provisions for relocation of contributing structures in historic districts was adopted unanimously, incorporating revisions from the January 15 meeting to remove Planning Commission review and let staff make recommendations to the Historic Resources Commission.
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Agenda 19A – Ash Canyon Land Acquisition Grant Application: Staff presented a request to apply for a $1.63 million Conserve Nevada grant (with $163,010 local match) to purchase 81.55 acres of privately owned land and water rights in Ash Canyon, completely surrounded by city public lands. The acquisition would protect drinking water sources, wildlife habitat, and the popular Creek Trail. The property is not yet on the market; an appraisal would follow. The board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-R-6 authorizing the grant application and acceptance of the grant if awarded.
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Agenda 20 – Non-Action Items/Updates: City Manager provided updates: new Community & Economic Development Director Hope Sullivan is hosting parking-sharing community outreach meetings on February 23 and 24; the annual strategic planning work session is scheduled for February 20; staff continues to research options for a new city hall (city clerk relocation and potential new city hall); and public works, parks, corrections, sheriff, and fire departments were thanked for storm response. Supervisor Giomi reported on the upcoming Nevada Association of Student Councils state conference (April 16–18, 1,500 students), progress on Centennial Park fields (turf installation ahead of schedule, new tournaments booked), and snowpack reaching 85% before the current storm.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2026-R-5 adopted unanimously (filing period for third Justice of the Peace).
- Ordinance (first reading) for third municipal court adopted 4–1 (Supervisor White opposed).
- Cost allocation plan adopted unanimously.
- Budget assumptions adopted unanimously (property tax rate $3.57).
- Ordinance 2026-4 adopted unanimously on second reading.
- Ordinance 2026-5 adopted unanimously on second reading, with amendments.
- Resolution 2026-R-6 adopted unanimously authorizing Conserve Nevada grant application for Ash Canyon land.
- Board will hold strategic planning work session on February 20, 2026.
- The next State of the City address is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
I'm gonna call the Board of Supervisors back to order. We're on agenda item 15B. Um this is on discussion of possible action regarding a resolution establishing a filing period for the candidates for the Office of Justice of the Peace I think we've probably all read it, but Mr. Hohen, just a small briefing, please. We've been working on this for years. So thank you. Um thank you, Scott Howen, Clerk Recorder. Um I I wrote down some questions. Why is Carson City adding a third justice of the peace? The battle law requires the justice of the peace for every 30,000 residents. The state demographer came out with their report October one. The governor finally certified that report uh mid-February, a couple weeks ago, and now we are officially at 61,888 uh residents. So with that, uh we need to establish a filing period for the third justice of the peace. Normally the filing period for the judicial candidates is the first two weeks of January. That has passed. Uh, but we have an opportunity to have the filing period at the same time that our state and local offices can file, which is the first two weeks of March. So I'm proposing that this third just department, Justice of the Peace have the same filing period as the state and local officials, and we're set up to do that and ready to do that. Okay. I don't see the pretty pretty standard function here, but I don't see any questions. Anybody? It's one little clarification. Uh there was a typo in the first two whereas. Um to fix the resolution. Yes, can we have a clarification on that? Yes, the uh thank you, Supervisor White. The uh first two whereas as clause as the NRS provision should be 4.020 instead of 4.010. Okay. So is there any public comment on this item? Okay. Geez, that was short and sweet. Um I'll be happy to make this move motion. I move to adopt resolution number two oh two six R-5 with the amendment on the record on the second whereas NRS 4.020 instead of 10. There's a motion and a second on the record. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, say no. Let the record reflect it was unanimous. Okay. Um, this is for discussion of possible action. We have to do regarding the business impact statement concerning the proposed ordinance and establishing a third department in the municipal court and to introduce on first reading a proposed ordinance establishing the third department in the Carson City Municipal Court. Um does anyone need any discussion items on this? Either. Yes. Uh I note that in NRS. Uh the uh NRS requires a just majority of the justices to collaborate with the board of supervisors on this measure. Uh I failed to see any of the justices in this room today. Furthermore, I see no justification uh for the third court. Perhaps we don't need a full-time justice. Perhaps we need a part-time justice. And on that regard, due to the lack of collaboration from the justices, uh, I will not support this motion.
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