Washoe County Board of Commissioners Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Washoe County Board of Commissioners held its final meeting of 2025 on December 16, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM with a lunch recess and reconvening at 1:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including fire code updates, the annual financial report, jail operations, a camping ordinance update, housing code amendments, and a controversial appeal of a denied special use permit for a church. Key votes included adoption of fire-related fee schedules and code updates, approval of lease space for the Registrar of Voters (3-1), and affirmation of the Board of Adjustment's denial of the Sanctuary of God special use permit.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the November 18, 2025 meeting.
• Acknowledged communications and reports received by the Clerk.
• Reappointed Sean Hill to the Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission (term 2026-2029).
• Approved an updated interlocal agreement with North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District for fire fee collection.
• Approved purchase of property at 310 Pompe Way for flood plain removal and demolition of structures at two parcels. [Total FEMA share $322,350; County match $107,450 plus additional $87,500 from County.]
• Retroactively acknowledged a $9,500 supplemental grant for Second Judicial District Court IT support.
• Acknowledged completed audit of the Conflict Counsel program.
• Accepted a $48,800 grant from United Healthcare for senior needs (no County match).
• Approved Commission District 3 special fund disbursements: $50,000 for a Sun Valley economic study and $5,000 for Great Basin Community Food Co-op.
• Acknowledged report on the 36th Special Session of the Nevada Legislature (information only).
• Accepted a $10,000 grant from Petco Love Foundation for animal services equipment.
• Item 9.F.3 pulled for separate vote: Approved personnel changes related to elimination of the Department of Alternative Sentencing, including new case manager positions, with net fiscal impact $0. The board directed staff to pursue a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between courts and pretrial services and requested a 60–90 day update.
• Approved Arrowcreek Soundwall Abandonment Agreement and construction contract with Frank Lepori Construction ($387,642.03 plus $12,000 contingency) for wall repair, with ownership transfer to 14 property owners. [Approved after being pulled for discussion.]
• Approved purchase of a new dump truck ($361,243.25) to replace a 17-year old vehicle.
• Approved Guaranteed Maximum Price 1 for Pleasant Valley Interceptor Reach 3 ($6,538,873.95).
• Approved lease agreement for 49,500 sq ft at 6550 Longley Lane for Registrar of Voters (126-month term, total base rent $5,574,758.16, total CAM $1,426,775.28). Vote: 3-1 (Commissioner Herman opposed).
• Introduced first reading of ordinance (Bill 1943) amending Development Code for small lot residential, infill development, ADU size increase to 80% of main dwelling (max 1,200 sq ft for cottage courts), and cottage court sales.
• Introduced first reading of ordinance (Bill 1944) for permanent employee housing in High Desert Planning Area.
• Authorized Chair to execute settlement and release agreement with Madison AI, Inc.: County receives $500,000 cash and a 10-year non-exclusive license.
• Approved allocation of $1,067,720 from Washoe Opioid Abatement Fund for Homeless Services Street Outreach.
• Approved contract award for Regional Fire and EMS Study to Emergent Global Solutions ($380,935.54, shared equally by County, Reno, and Sparks).

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (morning):
  • Michael Marquez urged upholding denial of Sanctuary of God church permit, citing safety (single access, no secondary emergency access) and incompatibility with rural character.
  • Terry Brooks spoke on gender discrimination in politics.
  • Nicholas St. John argued America is a constitutional republic, not a democracy.
  • Corrine Carmen Nagy (North Star Ranch HOA) stated HOA would not grant access for a secondary road to the church property.
  • Kayla Thompson advocated for stricter minor labor laws to protect school performance.
  • Penny Brock raised election integrity concerns, citing a 24.3% error rate in vote counting in Nevada and a DOJ lawsuit against the Secretary of State.
  • Janet Butcher criticized the decision to lease new space for the Registrar of Voters, calling it irresponsible and lacking transparency.
  • Sean Hill spoke in favor of his reappointment to the Open Space and Regional Parks Commission.
  • Jill O'Leary alleged fraud and improper recording of liens by the court and recorder's office.
  • Trista Gomez expressed distrust in county processes and urged transparency.
  • Clyde Cordova and other residents opposed the church permit, citing traffic, safety, and incompatibility with the master plan.
• Public Comment on Church Appeal (afternoon):
  • Multiple residents (Judy McKay, Lori Aguilar, Emily Hagler, David Perdue, Elaine Hanford, Paul Heinen, Chuck Allen, Craig Goodfellow, Michael Rodriguez, Clyde Cordova) opposed the special use permit, citing: narrow dead-end road, lack of secondary emergency access, traffic congestion, noise, light pollution, water runoff contamination risks, and incompatibility with rural residential zoning. Elaine Hanford, a geologist, detailed geological unsuitability (clay-rich soils, failed perk tests, insufficient retention pond capacity). Paul Heinen noted the proposed secondary access was removed and argued the project would not meet master plan consistency.
  • The applicant, Steve Denny (CR Builders), stated they had no objections to staff conditions, reduced parking from 154 to 120, and building capacity from 400 to 300, and emphasized code compliance. He noted traffic study showed less than 80 peak hour trips, not requiring full traffic analysis.
• Final Public Comment:
  • Two high school students (Elena Tabor, Holden Grant) from AACT urged more homeless shelters and resources, noting only 20 empty beds among 700 shelter beds in the region.

Discussion Items

• Fire Code and Fee Schedule: Items 5 and 6 were considered jointly with Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Board. The board adopted a resolution re-adopting the permit and service fee schedule and approved second reading of Ordinance 1750 updating the International Fire Code and International Wildland-Urban Interface Code from 2018 to 2024 editions, effective January 1, 2026. Votes were unanimous (4-0).
• Annual Financial Report (Item 8.A.1): Comptroller Cathy Hill and auditor Laura Nelson (Id Bailey) presented an unmodified (clean) opinion for FY2025. One finding (2025-002) related to a missing receivable for federal expenditures was noted but expected to be resolved next year. The board approved re-appropriation of $117,880,477.50. Commissioner Andriola praised the audit result.
• Jail Status Report (Item 8.B.1): Captain John Stewart reported first quarter stats: average daily population 1,211 (capacity ~1,350), average length of stay 16.21 days, 15 battery incidents (down), 63 fights averted (up from 49). Medical Assisted Treatment program continued. Undersheriff Corey Solferino highlighted successful partnerships and federal agency inspections with only 2 issues out of 2,200 inspection points.
• Camping Ordinance Update: Sergeant Sonia Butler presented results of Washoe County Ordinance 50.400 (effective June 2024). Since enactment, only three people have been formally charged; 40 written citations issued; Hope Team made 4,529 contacts. Tenancy support program achieved a 92% success rate in keeping housed individuals. Commissioner Andriola suggested strengthening the ordinance for those who refuse services.
• Registrar of Voters Lease (Item 13): Andrew McDonald (ROV) described the vision for the new 49,500 sq ft space at 6550 Longley Lane: centralized operations, parallel ballot processing, increased security (badge-access containers), 30% increase in signature verification capacity, 45% increase in scanning capacity, and a public viewing gallery. Commissioner Clark noted the lease included six months free rent ($237,600 savings). Public comment raised concerns about cost and transparency. The motion passed 3-1.
• Development Code Amendments (Items 14 & 15): Staff presented first readings of two ordinances: (1) small lot and infill development standards with changes to ADU size (80% of main dwelling), cottage court maximum size (1,200 sq ft), and reduced setbacks; (2) permanent employee housing in High Desert Planning Area (up to 1 unit per 40 acres allowed, 1 per 5 acres with special use permit). Planning Commission had recommended approval. Public comment supported infill but warned about traffic infrastructure in valleys.
• Senior Housing Ordinance (Item 19): Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 1751 (Bill 1941) amending Development Code to create incentives for senior housing. Approved unanimously.
• Sanctuary of God Church Appeal (Item 20): The Board heard extensive public comment and considered the record. Staff noted that the condition for secondary emergency access was removed because it was not required by code. The applicant reduced capacity and parking. Commissioners Andriola and Commissioner (through chair) stated they could not make finding #4 (issuance not detrimental) due to safety and character concerns (single narrow access, traffic on a dead-end road, incompatibility with low-density suburban zoning). The board voted to affirm the Board of Adjustment's denial.

Key Outcomes

• Fire Fee Schedule and Code Update: Adopted resolution and Ordinance 1750 (effective Jan 1, 2026) – unanimous.
• Annual Financial Report: Accepted clean audit and approved re-appropriation of $117,880,477.50 – unanimous.
• Personnel Changes for Alternative Sentencing Transition: Approved with directive to pursue MOU and 60–90 day update – unanimous.
• Arrowcreek Wall Repair: Approved contract and abandonment agreement – unanimous.
• Registrar of Voters Lease: Approved 3-1 (Commissioner Herman opposed).
• First Readings of Development Code Amendments: Introduced Bills 1943 and 1944 (public hearings set for Jan 13, 2026).
• Senior Housing Ordinance: Adopted Ordinance 1751 – unanimous.
• Sanctuary of God Special Use Permit Appeal: Denied appeal, affirming Board of Adjustment's denial – unanimous.
• Opioid Fund Allocation: Approved $1,067,720 for street outreach.
• Regional Fire and EMS Study Contract: Approved up to $380,935.54.
• Settlement with Madison AI: Approved with $500,000 payment and license agreement.