Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners met on February 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to discuss a range of topics including recognitions, presentations, public safety technology updates, and approvals of donations, contracts, and a behavioral health project. Key highlights included a recognition of Grace Community Church for its support of the Crossroads recovery program, presentations from the Incline Village Justice Court and Downtown Reno Partnership, and a contentious update from Hexagon on the regional CAD-RMS software replacement project. Multiple votes were taken, and action items were approved.

Recognition

• Grace Community Church of Reno: The Board adopted a resolution recognizing Grace Church for its extraordinary generosity and partnership in serving underserved and vulnerable residents. Several Crossroads program participants testified about the life-changing impact of Grace Church's contributions, including the Hope First Cottages that allowed for family reunification. The church's investment exceeds $3 million and includes 93 recovery beds. The program reports a 99.5% clean drug and alcohol test rate among participants. <!-- Speakers: Marcy Mansfield, Ivy Elliott, Gabrielle Batson, Raya Baker, Katie Dillon, Carrie Ballard, Ashley Rayburn, Stephanie Schutz, Stephanie Myers all expressed gratitude. -->

Presentations

• Incline Village – Crystal Bay Township Justice Court (Item 6.A.1): Judge Melissa Mangiaracina presented on current projects and vision. She debunked myths about Incline Village, noting that 65% of elementary school students qualify for free or reduced lunches, contrary to the perception that all residents are wealthy. She highlighted challenges such as housing insecurity, limited transportation, and crime (three murders in her first year). Ongoing improvements include a new website, security officer, mediation program, and pre-prosecution diversion. Her future plans include a problem-solving court and a social worker/case worker for the court. <!-- Speaker: Judge Mangiaracina. Commissioner Hill mentioned the county's Placemate program for housing. -->
• Downtown Reno Partnership (Item 6.A.2): Executive Director Neoma Jardon presented the partnership's services and annual report. Key statistics: ambassadors collected 468,000 pounds of trash, removed 960 pieces of graffiti, recovered shopping carts, and provided 955 rides to shelters/services. Crime within a half-mile of the Reno Arch dropped 19.7% year over year. Security guards were deployed in late 2024 to enhance safety. The partnership also supports marketing, beautification, and economic development. <!-- Speaker: Neoma Jardon. Commissioner Garcia asked about the impact of the CARES campus policy shift. -->
• Hexagon CAD-RMS Project Update (Item 6.A.3): Eric Willrich (Washoe County Technology Coordinator) and Ben Ernst (Hexagon VP) provided an update. The project was originally targeted for a September 2025 go-live, then February 2026, and is now planned for fall 2026. Ernst acknowledged a delayed schedule and unplanned expenses; Hexagon is in discussions to compensate for those costs. Ernst stated that only five change orders have occurred (less than 2% of contract value). Commissioners expressed strong concerns based on public testimony (Thomas Daly and Ashley Rayburn) about cost overruns (from $7.5 million to $9.4 million), missed deadlines, and flat trends in open tickets (330–400 per month). Commissioner Hill noted the blocker count is declining slowly. Commissioner Herman asked if the fully integrated (fire/EMS/police) product is new; Ernst confirmed no other agency is live with that integrated version and the mobile field reporting product is also new. Commissioners demanded a contingency plan and regular updates. County Manager Thomas committed to scheduling a future update. <!-- Speakers: Eric Willrich, Ben Ernst, Commissioners Clark, Hill, Herman, Garcia -->

Consent Calendar

• Item 8.A.1: Grant of easement to Lloyd Properties LLC for sewer facilities in South Reno.
• Item 8.A.2: Non-binding recommendation to Nevada State Engineer on Application 94669T (temporary change of water diversion/use for ranching irrigation).
• Item 8.B.1: Acceptance of Yiddish Book Center scholarship ($551.09) for library employee travel.
• Item 8.B.2: Acceptance of State Collection Development Grant ($17,980).
• Item 8.C.1: Fund agreement with Community Foundation of Northern Nevada for Rancho San Rafael Amphitheater Fund.
• Item 8.C.2: District 3 Special Fund disbursement ($20,500) to Sun Valley GID for food truck events.
• Item 8.C.3: District 3 Special Fund disbursement ($5,000) to Indigenous People’s Council on Biocolonialism for a mural at Sparks Library.
• Item 8.C.4: Federal Legislative Activity Report Q4 2025 (for discussion).
• Item 8.D.1: Agreement with Mono County, CA for forensic pathology services ($25,000 annual revenue).
• Item 8.E.1: Grant allocation to Reno Justice Court for guided interview project ($10,000).
• Item 8.F.1: State Opioid Response grant for detention facility program ($64,450).
• Item 8.F.2: HIDTA grant additional funding ($25,147.62).
• Item 8.F.3: Justice Assistance Grant for bomb squad vehicle upfit ($29,094).
• Item 8.G.1: Reimbursement for 911 Emergency Response System ($231,244.11).

All consent items were approved unanimously as a block without public comment.

Discussion Items

• Donations (Item 7): Accepted: $13,710.68 in cash donations (parks programs, May Museum, Arboretum); in-kind donations from Home Depot ($450), Moana Nursery ($7,522.65), and May Arboretum Society ($45,208.20); $20,055 from Washoe County Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association for tire deflation devices; and $25,000 from Sun Valley GID for abandoned vehicle removal. Approved unanimously. <!-- Commissioner Hill thanked Moana Nursery for Davis fire restoration. -->
• Behavioral Health Budget Augmentation (Item 11): Approved as part of block. $17 million General Fund augmentation for the Washoe County Behavioral Health Remodel Project at 1248 East 9th Street. The augmentation is a bridge gap due to timing; future funding sources will first replenish the General Fund. <!-- Public comment from Trista Gomez expressed concern about sustainability if federal insurance reimbursements change. -->
• Behavioral Health Construction Agreement (Item 12): Approved. Guaranteed Maximum Price #2 with Plenium Builders, Inc. (CMAR) for $20,325,158, plus a $5.35 million project allowance for furniture, fixtures, equipment, security, etc. County Manager Kate Thomas authorized to execute documents. Construction completion estimated July 2, 2027. <!-- Commissioner Hill commended the work, and Chair Andriola noted it fills a critical gap left by West Hills closure. -->
• RTC Interlocal Agreements (Item 9): Approved as part of block. FY2027 Street and Highway Projects interlocal agreements between Washoe County, Reno, Sparks, and RTC for $92.5 million in projects.
• South Valleys Park Expansion (Item 10): Approved as part of block. Amendment No. 1 to DOWL contract for $149,944 (new total $948,924) for Phase 2 design, permitting, and construction administration.
• Contracts Over $300k (Item 13): Acknowledged as part of block. List of contracts and purchases exceeding $300k, aggregate known expenditures $6,993,463.45.
• Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District Nomination (Item 14): Commissioners nominated two candidates from five applicants to the governor for appointment to represent Washoe County for a partial term ending December 31, 2028. The top two were Keith Hayes and Robert Lissner, approved by voice vote. <!-- Robert Lissner spoke during public comment about his qualifications. -->

Public Comments & Testimony

• Opening Public Comment: Numerous women from the Crossroads program thanked Grace Community Church for its support, sharing stories of recovery, family reunification, and sobriety. <!-- Speakers: Marcy Mansfield, Ivy Elliott, Gabrielle Batson, Raya Baker, Katie Dillon, Carrie Ballard, Ashley Rayburn, Stephanie Schutz, Stephanie Myers -->
• Terry Brooks: Discussed age discrimination in employment, arguing elderly workers are reliable and committed.
• Thomas Daly and Ashley Rayburn (on Hexagon project): Daly noted missing information on cost overruns ($1.9 million increase from $7.5M to $9.4M), five missed deadlines, and lack of audit. Rayburn echoed concerns about change orders and cost overruns.
• Steve Schroeder: Expressed gratitude for Commissioner Garcia's initiative to bring food truck events to Sun Valley.
• Jill O'Leary: Raised concerns about the Washoe County public checkbook, noting it relies on budgeted authority rather than actual expenditures, and requested reconciliation before budget approval.
• Trista Gomez (during Item 11/12 discussion): Asked about sustainability of the behavioral health facility given potential federal reimbursement changes and the burden on taxpayers.
• Closing Public Comment: Trista Gomez expressed disappointment that the Community Homelessness Advisory Board (CHAB) meeting was canceled and raised concerns about CARES campus program requirements and costs.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Donations (Item 7): Approved unanimously.
• Vote on Consent Calendar (Item 8): Approved unanimously.
• Vote on Block Items 9, 10, 11, 13: Approved unanimously.
• Vote on Behavioral Health Construction Agreement (Item 12): Approved unanimously.
• Vote on CTWCD Nominations (Item 14): Keith Hayes and Robert Lissner nominated; motion carried.
• Directives/Next Steps: County Manager to schedule regular updates on Hexagon project; Hexagon to provide contingency plan and address financial impacts from delays. Discussion on transportation funding for Incline Village and continuation of partnerships with Downtown Reno Partnership.