Washoe County Board of Commissioners Meeting – December 9, 2025

The Washoe County Board of Commissioners met on December 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at 1001 E. 9th Street, Reno, NV. The meeting included presentations, public comment, a consent calendar, and action items on opioid abatement funding, behavioral health endowments, and capital projects. The meeting adjourned at 12:36 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ann Kurzrock (Blue Star Mother) expressed support for the Blue Star Mothers mission, noted hundreds of care packages sent annually, and thanked the board for supporting their work.
• David Spitzer (Northern Nevada Legal Aid) thanked Commissioner Clark for a donation and highlighted the organization's 60 years of free legal services.
• Pam Roberts (senior advisory board reappointee) described her background in elder law and advocated for senior services.
• Terry Brooks spoke on gender discrimination in healthcare and the need for equitable access.
• Kimberly Weingarten (Katie Grace Foundation) thanked Commissioner Clark for recognizing the foundation, which has grown from 5 to 300 nonprofit partners, and noted over 8,000 pairs of shoes distributed.
• Emma Cates and Harper McDaniel urged stricter enforcement of laws against feeding wild horses, citing harm to horses and public safety. They proposed a mandated reporting system and educational campaign.
• Blake Vanderwell (Senior ResQ) reported providing over $50,000 in rental assistance to seniors in 2025, with average rent burden at 72% of income.
• Cooper Richardson (Boosted Diplomas) shared that the organization maintains an 86% graduation rate for foster youth, compared to the county average of 42%.
• Donna Klantz supported reappointment of Senior Advisory Board members.
• Todd Bailey criticized the commission's spending and tax policies, advocating for elimination of property tax on primary residences.
• Jill O'Leary requested board oversight of alleged misconduct in probate court.
• Trista Gomez argued against increasing taxes on residents, saying the county's budget growth (40% increase) is unsustainable and creates barriers for low-income residents.
• Catherine Yarte suggested requiring data centers to use reclaimed water for cooling, at their own expense, to preserve potable water.
• Pam Roberts (second comment) spoke on item 7C2, detailing the role of the Senior Advisory Board and urging approval of the slate.
• Wendy and Mitch Hammond (Lizzie Hammond Foundation) thanked the board for supporting their foundation, which advocates for bounce house safety following their daughter's death. They helped pass Nevada's AB 198 (Lizzie's Law).
• Nancy Rifkin (Nevada Veterans Coalition) described the coalition's volunteer honor guard services and thanked the board for donations.
• Susan Meiske supported reappointment of Senior Advisory Board members.
• Mac Rossi (reappointee) urged support for his reappointment.

Presentations

• 5.A.2 – River Park Defensible Space Program: Alayna Barrie (Emergency Management Intern) presented a pilot program in the River Park neighborhood (229 homes). 39 homes participated in inspections; 6 passed with no action. 80 cubic yards of green waste removed; 23 homes opted for interior inspections; 101 smoke alarms replaced by American Red Cross. 100% of surveyed participants would participate again. Funded by a $15,000 Green Recovery grant plus $5,000 from other sources. The program created a replicable guidebook.
• 5.A.1 – Sewer Utility Overview: Dwayne Smith (Director of Engineering and Capital Projects) reported on the utility's fiscal health. Key points: an enterprise fund with $125 million total fund balance; no base user rate increase since 2023 rate study; raised connection fees; removed recycled water fees. Over 10,000 new connections in 10 years. Available capacity exists at all three reclamation facilities. Capital projects include South Truckee Meadows plant improvements, Pleasant Valley Interceptor, and recycled water expansion. Regional wastewater planning (Phase 1A) is underway with a report expected soon.

Consent Calendar (Items 6–7, 8–13, 16–18, and block vote items 8–13, 16–18 approved en bloc)

• Donation: Accepted $1,000 from Linda Groseclose to Sheriff's Office (unanimous).
• Approval of Minutes: October 27 and 28, 2025.
• NDOT Interlocal Agreement: For US 395 North Valleys Phase 2 Widening (Agreement No. NM196-25-015).
• Street Acceptance: Resolutions accepting ~5.22 acres of public streets (Pebble Creek Estates Phase 2 and Golden Mesa North Phase 1).
• Orr Ditch at Wildcreek Maintenance Agreement: With First Tee Northern Nevada.
• Gift Card Authorization: Human Services Agency to use prepaid cards for resources/incentives (retroactive Sept 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026).
• Senior Advisory Board Appointments: Reappointed Edward Lamb, MaryAnn McCauley, Pamela Roberts, Mac Rossi; appointed Ann Guinn, Alan Distefano, Monica Webb.
• Sparks High JROTC Donation: $100 donation approved.
• Interlocal Agreement with Reno-Sparks Indian Colony: For temporary housing of juveniles (Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027).
• Alliance for Sustainable Energy Sub-Contract: $295,000 (no county match) for Gerlach solar microgrid feasibility study.
• General Fund Contingency: $47,000 for Royal Ambulance contract amendment (additional EMT for Gerlach).
• District 2 Special Fund Disbursements: $42,500 total to various nonprofits (Northern Nevada Literacy Council, Bees 4 Vets, etc.).
• District 5 Special Fund Disbursements: $60,000 total to Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department ($25,000), Food Bank of Northern Nevada ($20,000), Safe Embrace ($15,000).
• Bulk Data Fees: Established fees for bulk data and image requests (projected revenue $24,000/year).
• Security Agreement – CityFest: Reimbursement up to $7,500 for extra Sheriff's patrol.
• Office of Traffic Safety Grant: $63,000 grant (with $15,750 county match) for traffic enforcement checkpoints.
• Security Agreement with UNR Police: For uniformed deputies at special events (Aug 2025 – Dec 2030).
• Roll Change Requests: Approving corrections to tax rolls (cumulative decrease to taxing entities $514,345.59).
• LED Retrofit Project: Awarded to Electrical Solutions LLC for $516,250 (plus $51,625 contingency) for Liberty Building.
• Fuel Contract Joinder: Pilot Thomas Logistics for vehicle fuel (up to $3,000,000/year).
• FLAP Agreement: $30,885,000 for CR34 improvement ($29,011,000 federal, $1,874,000 county match).
• RRIF Offset Agreement: $1,150,233.76 in waivers for Touchstone Living in exchange for intersection improvements.
• Interlocal Amendment #3: With Nevada Health Authority for Medicaid services (increase to $41,735,032.53).
• Opioid Use Needs Assessment & WOARF Plan: Approved (see Discussion Items).
• LATCF Transfer to Community Foundation: Approved (see Discussion Items).
• State Opioid Response Grant: $810,362 (no county match) for Medical Examiner's Office.
• Jail-Based Mental Health Subaward: $9,991,955 increase (total $15,881,917) for 4.0 FTE deputies.
• Naphcare Contract: $6,234,727.36 for jail-based competency restoration services (Jan 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

Discussion Items

• Item 14 – Opioid Use Needs Assessment 2026-2029 and WOARF Plan 2026-2027: Lauren Beale (Community Program Analyst) presented the assessment. Key findings: 179 overdose deaths in Washoe County (12-month period ending Feb 2025); fentanyl dominant; polysubstance use common; treatment access and housing major barriers. Community priorities: overdose prevention, child welfare supports, targeted outreach, housing, mobile health, program evaluation, peer workforce supports. The plan will guide future funding allocations. Approved unanimously.
• Item 15 – LATCF Fund Transfer to Community Foundation: Approved transfer of $10,587,450.94 ($9,427,223.08 principal + $1,160,227.86 interest) to Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. $500,000 set aside for Renown Health's Crisis Care Center (after state $2 million exhausted); remaining $10,087,450.94 to create a Washoe Behavioral Health Endowment Fund. Income from the endowment (~$450,000/year) will support operations and maintenance of the Washoe Behavioral Health Center (for children). Excess funds may go to Regional Behavioral Health Initiatives Fund. Unanimous approval.

Key Outcomes

• Donation: Accepted $1,000 to Sheriff's Office (unanimous).
• Consent Calendar: All items approved unanimously.
• Block Vote (Items 8–13, 16–18): Approved unanimously, with item 15 pulled for separate vote.
• Opioid Needs Assessment & WOARF Plan: Approved unanimously.
• LATCF Transfer to Community Foundation: Approved unanimously.
• Next Steps: Staff to bring back item on Tahoe Transportation District property swap/workforce housing in January 2026. Opioid plan NOFO to be announced in 2026.