Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners met on January 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at 1001 E. 9th Street, Reno. Chair Clara Andriola presided with Vice Chair Mariluz Garcia, Commissioners Alexis Hill (via phone) and Michael Clark present; Commissioner Jeanne Herman was absent. The meeting included updates from Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue, a presentation on mosquito abatement funding, discussion of the Truckee River Flood Management Authority's capital improvement plan, a proclamation for News Literacy Week, consent items including the approval of a Special Improvement District (SID) policy, a contested reappointment to the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission, appointment to the Open Space and Regional Parks Commission, a financial outlook presentation, and a public hearing on the Sunset Ranch master plan and zoning amendments.

Proclamation

• News Literacy Week (February 2–6, 2026): The board unanimously approved a proclamation designating the week as National News Literacy Week. Rachel Tilletton accepted on behalf of the News Literacy Project.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Items (9.A.1 through 9.F.1, excluding 9.E.1): Approved unanimously in a block vote. Items included:
  • Acknowledgment of communications and reports.
  • Approval of minutes from December 9 and December 16, 2025 meetings.
  • Appointment of Crystal Sublet as OPEB Trust Trustee.
  • Interlocal contract with Nevada Health Authority for Medicaid services (total up to $38,219,573 over four years).
  • Acceptance of LifeSet incentive award ($24,500) and LSTA Business Resource Center grant ($35,000 with 10% match).
  • Reappointment of James McNamara to TRPA Advisory Planning Commission (pulled from consent for separate discussion; see below).
  • Approval of Special Improvement District (SID) Policy (9.E.3) – adopted as presented. The policy sets terms for developers to use SIDs for infrastructure financing in unincorporated areas, with a $15 million bond minimum and safeguards to protect the county.
  • Interlocal agreement with City of Sparks for 2026 election services ($0.15 per active registered voter, estimated $20,475).
  • Two FY26 subgrant awards for Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator (total $199,906, no county match).
• Item 9.E.1 (TRPA Advisory Planning Commission Reappointment): Pulled from consent after Commissioner Clark raised concerns about lack of public notice. Following discussion, the board voted unanimously to table the item and direct staff to reopen applications with public notice, aiming to fill the position by the March 26, 2026 term start to avoid a lapse in representation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (Items 5 and 18): Multiple speakers addressed the board:
  • Thomas Daly urged the board to address REMSA ambulance response times in South Reno, citing a 18-minute response for a medical emergency and requesting conditions on the REMSA franchise renewal.
  • Terry Brooks spoke about LGBTQ discrimination and acceptance.
  • Troy Regis and Nicole Harris supported the Dandini Spectrum Apartments easement (Item 15, later pulled from agenda).
  • Pam Darr and Virginia Wiggins raised concerns about homelessness and shelter conditions at 'Our Place' in Sparks, alleging theft and mistreatment.
  • Eliza Rouse announced her school's attempt to set a Guinness World Record for reciting the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution on January 28, 2026.
  • Jill O'Leary requested board review of the Recorder's policy on recording unlawful judgments without proper legibility notice, and production of metadata logs.
  • Helen Neff (Incline Village) opposed the reappointment of Jim McNamara to TRPA APC, arguing the process lacked community notice and that a full-time Incline Village resident should be appointed.
• Public Hearing on Sunset Ranch (Item 17): Two speakers opposed the master plan and zoning amendments, citing conflict with the Washoe Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan and concerns about suburban sprawl.
• Consent Item 9.E.3 (SID Policy): Josh X (McDonald Carano) spoke in support, noting the policy is a useful tool for public-private partnerships.
• Open Space Commission Appointment (Item 10): Applicants Kim Toulouse and George Jostlin introduced themselves; one other applicant spoke remotely.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Fire Update: Chief Richard Edwards reported on regional training with Reno and Sparks fire departments, fuel management initiatives (Christmas tree recycling: 188 trees in Washoe Valley, 123 in Lemmon Valley, 478 in Spanish Springs), and a new wildfire risk reduction grant program (up to $75,000 for HOAs).
• Item 7.A.1 – Mosquito Abatement Funding: District Health Officer Dr. Chad Kingsley presented data showing that larvicide treatments (helicopter flights) significantly reduce mosquito populations. Due to budget constraints, the program was scaled back in 2025 (no helicopter), saving $281,000 but requiring manual treatments. The health district faces unfunded mandates and reduced federal/state funding; a TB clinic project is on schedule for occupancy by April 2026. The board acknowledged the report and thanked staff.
• Item 7.A.2 – TRFMA Capital Improvement Plan: Executive Director George Robison presented the 2026-2031 CIP for flood mitigation projects, including Rock McCarran (levees and park with 10-11 flat fields, $77 million), North Bank Levee ($55 million), Vista Narrows ($51 million), and others totaling ~$202 million. Funding sources include sales tax revenues ($11M/year) and $73 million in reserves, with plans to use financing/grants for the gap. The goal is to complete the flood project by 2032, preventing an estimated $2.5 billion in damage from a 100-year flood. Commissioners commended the multi-use design for Rock McCarran and outreach efforts.
• Item 12 – Financial Outlook FY2027: Budget Manager Lori Cook reviewed FY2025 audited results (ending fund balance higher than anticipated, with $100M unassigned, ~30% of expenditures), FY2026 mid-year performance (tracking within expectations), and FY2027 outlook. Key challenges include structural deficits, uncertainty in consolidated tax data due to state reporting delays, and growing personnel costs. Staff emphasized net-zero requests and one-time investments. A budget workshop was announced for January 27, 2026, at 9 a.m.
• Item 17 – Sunset Ranch Master Plan & Zoning Amendments: The board held a public hearing and considered the Planning Commission's recommendation to change a ±41.7-acre parcel from Rural (R) to Rural Residential (RR) master plan designation and from General Rural (GR) to Medium Density Rural (MDR) zoning. Applicant Eric Hasty (Wood Rogers) explained the Gilmont family's intent to create up to 8 parcels (minimum 5 acres due to well/septic) for family use, noting the MDR zoning would restrict potentially incompatible uses. Two nearby residents opposed, citing the Scenic Byway plan and desire to preserve open space. Staff noted further review by Truckee Meadows Regional Planning is required. The board voted unanimously to approve both amendments.

Key Outcomes

• Votes and Decisions:
  • Consent items (excluding 9.E.1) approved unanimously.
  • SID Policy (9.E.3) adopted unanimously.
  • Item 9.E.1 (TRPA APC reappointment) tabled; staff directed to reopen applications with public notice.
  • News Literacy Week proclamation approved unanimously.
  • Open Space and Regional Parks Commission appointment: After four rounds of balloting, Nicole Flangus was selected (votes: Chair Andriola, Vice Chair Garcia, Commissioner Hill for Flangus; Commissioner Clark for Kim Toulouse in all rounds). The motion to approve passed unanimously.
  • Financial outlook (Item 12) accepted unanimously; direction to staff noted.
  • Sunset Ranch master plan and zoning amendments (Item 17) approved unanimously.
• Next Steps: Budget workshop scheduled for January 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. The Dandini Spectrum easement (Item 15) was pulled from the agenda. Staff will explore policy improvements for reappointment processes and continue strategic planning workshops in coming months.