Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Special Meeting - October 27, 2025: County Manager Recruitment and Selection
Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Special Meeting - October 27, 2025: County Manager Recruitment and Selection\n\nThe Washoe County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting on October 27, 2025, beginning at 9:01 a.m., to conduct the final stage of the county manager recruitment process. The board interviewed four top candidates—James Doar, Laura Freed, Tyler Stone, and Kate Thomas—and ultimately voted unanimously to select Kate Thomas, the current interim county manager, for the position. The meeting also included public comment periods both before and after the interviews.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Paul White (Education Crusade) criticized the process as a "done deal" and called for the resignation of Kate Thomas, citing the homeless crisis and the CARES campus. He urged the board to cancel the selection and reopen a nationwide search.\n- Drew Rebar (candidate for Assembly District 40) expressed frustration with the county's handling of his federal lawsuit and alleged an assault by a deputy district attorney. He implied the selection was predetermined.\n- Farrah Downey defended Kate Thomas, noting the challenges of COVID-19 and homelessness, praised Thomas's character and availability, and argued that the CARES campus has been a national model.\n- Tristan Gomez questioned the selection of Kate Thomas, citing the RAFTELUS report that found the manager's office deficient in all areas. She expressed concern about the lack of accountability.\n- Erston Whitten (nonprofit representative) voiced strong support for Kate Thomas, highlighting her communication skills, collaboration, and progress made since she became interim manager.\n- Trista Gomez (second appearance) reiterated her support for Tyler Stone, praising his ability to articulate specific outcomes and his track record of empowering experts and collaborating with residents.\n- Todd Bailey (Nevada Accountability) emphasized the importance of the county manager hire and urged the board to consider the growing vulnerable population due to affordability issues.\n- Susan Walls offered general remarks on the recruitment process, expressing optimism for the future.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- The board heard a presentation from Human Resources Director Patricia Hurley and recruiter Pam Derby (CPS) on the nationwide recruitment process, which began in June 2025. Over 100 applications were received, and the top five candidates were identified; one withdrew due to a family medical emergency.\n- The board conducted 45-minute interviews with each of the four candidates, asking the same nine questions covering topics such as transparency, organizational culture, fiscal sustainability, regional collaboration, ethical dilemmas, and strategic planning.\n- James Doar (County Administrator, Gallatin County, MT) emphasized over-communication, a direct style, and a philosophy of serving as the "head of the hired help." He referenced the RAFTELUS report and promised to avoid being a "sixth commissioner."\n- Laura Freed (Director of Admin Services, RTC, NV) stressed frequent clear communication, operational excellence, and experience with budget cycles. She highlighted her work with the state's ERP project and the RTC's public outreach efforts.\n- Tyler Stone (Chief Administrative Officer, Wasco County, OR) focused on breaking down barriers, empowering department heads, and using tools like the STARS model and Jim Collins' "Good to Great." He discussed his success in turning around a $2 million deficit and building reserves.\n- Kate Thomas (Interim County Manager, Washoe County) emphasized her deep institutional knowledge, established relationships, and ongoing work on the strategic plan, the sequential intercept model (SIM), and the CARES campus. She noted her commitment to transparency and communication.\n- Commissioner Clark commented that he has seen a "180-degree change" in the county since June under Kate Thomas's interim leadership.\n- After the interviews, the board used a forced-ranking process to determine their top candidate.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- The board voted unanimously (4-0, with Vice Chair Herman absent) to select Kate Thomas as the Washoe County Manager.\n- The motion was made by Commissioner Garcia and seconded by Commissioner Andriola.\n- The board directed staff to begin negotiation of an employment contract with Ms. Thomas.\n- The meeting adjourned at 12:47 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good morning, everyone. It is 9 01, and I will call the special board of county commissioners meeting to order on October 27th, 2025. We will start with a salute to the flag. And if Commissioner Garcia could please lead us, that would be great. Please join me in the salute to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and divisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We'll now move on to the roll call, Madam Clerk. Let's see. Chair Lexus Hill. Here. Vice Chair Jean Herman is absent. Commissioner Mike Clark. Commissioner Murray Luz Garcia. Here. Commissioner Clara Andreola, present. In for interim county manager is director of HR, Patricia Hurley. Yeah, Patricia Hurley here, Director of HR. Thank you. Our district attorney today is Mike Large. President. I'm Jan Gallisini, your county clerk. Madam, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We'll now move into item three, our public comment at DA Large could lead us into that. Thank you, Madam Chair. Public comment, comment heard on her this item will be limited to three item three minutes per person and may repertain to matters both on and off the agenda. Unused time may not be allocated to other speakers. The commission will also hear public comment during individual action items with comment limited to three minutes per person. Comments are made to be made to the commission as a whole. Virtual public comment may be taken when facilities are available. The Board of County Commissioners carries out the business of Washoe County and its residents during its meetings. The presiding officer may order a person be removed, the person's conduct or just statements disrupt the order or safety of meeting. Thank you so much. Madam Clerk. First up, we have Paul White, followed by Drew Rebar. Paul White with Education Crusade. We've got uh a need for three things this morning. An apology, humility, and prayer. Let's start with the apology. I want to apologize to the three outside of the three of the four outside uh finalists for being brought to something that unquestionably was a done deal before they ever got here. And it was a setup. It's I feel bad for them for this. I think in their future they'll look back and be glad they didn't get it. The need for humility would be on the part of Kate Thomas, who I would hope would withdraw before you even vote. Based on the fact that there is no way in seven, eight years, whatever it's been, that she could list one thing that's been accomplished in this super important position. And that would, in fact, I would hope that she'd ask for a position that would more suit the things she's done in her past and enjoys more doing. This is not it. We just haven't gotten the leadership.
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