Sparks City Council Meeting – July 27, 2026

The Sparks City Council met on July 27, 2026, for a regular meeting that began with an invocation and pledge of allegiance. The council approved a consent calendar, heard public comments, and took action on several major items including a shared fire chief model with Reno, changes to the city's group health plan, a transient lodging tax surcharge proposal, and updates to the sewer bill appeals process. The meeting also included presentations from Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful and Liberty Dogs, and a commendation for Creative Gardens. The council unanimously approved all agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent calendar (items 8.1 through 8.7) as submitted, with a motion by Mr. Rodriguez and second by Mr. Abbott. The motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Markel spoke about the dangers of drunk driving, sharing his personal experience from a crash in 1989. He urged the council and the public to avoid driving under the influence.
• Sean Sullivan commented on Item 9.2 (shared fire chief model). He expressed concern that combining leadership with Reno could reduce representation, invite divided attention, and potentially affect pay, skills, and union issues. He recommended tabling the motion to allow more study.
• Wendy Rawson spoke on Item 10.3 (transient lodging tax surcharge). She urged the council to instead fight for a fairer share of the existing room tax revenue generated in Sparks, noting that the city receives only about $1.5 million of the $7.8 million collected, with the rest going to the RSCVA. She opposed new taxes.

Discussion Items

• 9.1 – Appointments to Truckee Meadows Housing Authority (TMHA): Council members Vanderwell and Rodriguez volunteered to serve on the TMHA board. The council appointed Ms. Vanderwell to a two-year term (ending November 30, 2028) and Mr. Rodriguez to a three-year term (ending November 30, 2029). Motion carried unanimously.
• 9.2 – Shared Fire Chief Model (Interlocal Agreement with Reno): Division Chief Derek Keller presented the agreement, which formalizes a shared fire chief model while keeping two independent fire departments. The model is intended to improve regional coordination, resource deployment, and cost efficiency. The city manager noted estimated savings of $245,000 per year. Council members asked about performance monitoring, employee support, and future potential for Sparks personnel to become the shared chief. Dan Tappy, President of Reno Sparks Firefighters Local 731, expressed support for the agreement as a positive step toward regional collaboration. The council unanimously approved the interlocal agreement.
• 9.3 – Changes to City Group Health Plan: HR Director Shauna Halterman presented a proposal to offer employees three plan options: the current PPO 200 plan, a PPO 400 plan (higher deductible, lower premium, with city contributions to an FSA), and a high-deductible health plan (with city contributions to an HSA). The city's contribution remains unchanged. Employees may choose during open enrollment and can switch annually. The council unanimously approved the changes effective January 1, 2027.
• 9.4 – Reimbursement Agreement for TMWRF Dewatering Building: Casey Muncer explained an agreement where Sparks will pay $11,772,340 for early procurement costs, with Reno reimbursing $8,079,357 during construction. The arrangement allows Reno to use a state loan for their portion of the project. Sparks' ownership share remains at 31.37%, and no interest is charged. The council approved the agreement unanimously.
• 9.5 – Interlocal Agreement for Inmate Work Crew Supervisor: Deputy Chief Tara Edmondson presented an agreement with Washoe County and Reno to share the cost of a Sheriff's Office Inmate Work Crew Supervisor to clean up abandoned unhoused camps. The total cost is $178,140.38 for fiscal year 2026-2027, with Sparks' share at $59,380.13. The agreement is for one year, renewable. The council approved it unanimously.
• 10.1 – MOU with Sparks Police Protective Association: The council approved a memorandum of understanding allowing police officers to work special events (athletic/sporting events with city permits) at an overtime rate paid by the permittee, at no cost to the city. Unanimously approved.
• 10.2 – Language Access Plan (FY27-FY28): Assistant City Manager Allison McCormick presented the updated plan required by Nevada AB 266, which ensures access to city services for residents with limited English proficiency. The council adopted the plan unanimously after a public hearing.
• 10.3 – Transient Lodging Tax Surcharge Bill Draft Request: Allison McCormick presented a BDR for the 2027 legislative session to allow the city to add a surcharge of up to $10 per night on transient lodging rentals. This would generate an estimated $5 million annually for general government purposes. The council approved the BDR unanimously after a public hearing, despite opposition from two public speakers who preferred to seek a larger share of existing room tax revenue.
• 10.4 – Sewer Bill Appeals Process Update: City Clerk Lisa Hunderman presented an ordinance updating the sewer bill appeals process, raising the threshold for staff-level review from $150 to $1,000 and consolidating documentation requirements. The council adopted the ordinance unanimously.
• 11.1 – Kiley Ranch North Phase 3 Handbook Amendment: Senior Planner Danny Ray presented an amendment to modify parking ratios for medical uses, update signage standards, and adjust landscaping requirements for covered parking in Village 25 to facilitate a new medical campus. The fiscal impact analysis shows a net surplus of $65.4 million over 20 years for the greater Kiley Ranch area. The council approved the amendment unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Shared Fire Chief Model (9.2): Approved unanimously. Interlocal agreement with Reno establishes a shared fire chief while maintaining separate departments. Expected savings of $245,000 annually.
• Health Plan Changes (9.3): Approved unanimously. Effective January 1, 2027, employees will have three plan options including PPO 400 and high-deductible health plans with city contributions to FSAs/HSAs.
• TMWRF Dewatering Building Reimbursement (9.4): Approved unanimously. Sparks to pay $11.77 million up front; Reno to reimburse $8.08 million during construction.
• Inmate Work Crew Supervisor (9.5): Approved unanimously. Sparks' share is $59,380.13 for FY 2026-2027 to fund cleanup of abandoned homeless encampments.
• Transient Lodging Tax Surcharge BDR (10.3): Approved unanimously. Bill draft request for 2027 legislature to enable a surcharge of up to $10/night on transient lodging rentals, estimated to generate $5 million annually.
• Sewer Bill Appeals Process (10.4): Adopted unanimously. Raises staff-level review threshold to $1,000 and streamlines procedures.
• Kiley Ranch North Phase 3 Handbook Amendment (11.1): Approved unanimously. Allows medical campus development with updated parking, signage, and landscaping standards.

Presentations

• Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful: Darcy Phillips, Executive Director, reported on the Great Community Cleanup (May 2) with 875 volunteers across 26 sites, including a massive cleanup at Solomon Circle in Sparks. The Truckee River cleanup in fall involved 800 volunteers. The Adopt-a-Spot program handles about 375 cleanups per year. KTMB also led a cleanup of the marina backup. Upcoming events: annual fundraiser August 20 and Truckee River cleanup September 26.
• Liberty Dogs: Andre Berry, CEO, presented the organization's mission to pair service dogs with veterans at no cost, supported by the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. The 27-acre campus in South Reno includes a 200,000-square-foot facility. The program aims to match 200 veterans with service dogs and enroll 180 in a wellness class. Berry requested that the city adopt a policy allowing employees to volunteer as puppy raisers during work hours. Councilmember Vanderwell announced she will place a policy on the August 10, 2026 agenda.

Commendation

• Councilmember Paul Anderson presented a commendation to CJ Sanders, owner of Creative Gardens, for donating a new play yard to the Larry D. Johnson Community Center's Small Wonders Learning Center Preschool.

Redevelopment Agency Meeting

Following the regular meeting, the Sparks Redevelopment Agency met briefly and unanimously approved the agenda, the minutes of June 22, 2026, and the report of claims and bills paid for June 9–July 14, 2026. The meeting adjourned.