Regional Planning Governing Board Meeting - February 12, 2026

The Regional Planning Governing Board (RPGB) met on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM to discuss and act on a range of items including the Washoe County School District's facility modernization plan, the agency's budget, energy sector policy and data center research, regional coordination efforts, and school location policies. The meeting included roll call, approval of consent items, and several presentations and discussions. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda – Motion approved unanimously.
• Approval of Amendments – Motion approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously. Diane Vanderwell thanked the board and Vice Chair Taylor for supporting a multi-year contract with Director Smith.

Discussion Items

• 7A – Presentation on WC1 Implementation and Facility Modernization Plan – Director Smith presented the status of the 2023 Facility Modernization Plan, funded by the WC1 ballot measure. Since passage, 10 new schools and 5 major additions have been constructed, with 20% of students and staff now learning or working in new facilities. The plan includes modernization (e.g., Swope Middle School), reconstruction (e.g., Vaughn Middle School), and repurposing of six elementary schools (Veterans, Corbett, etc.). An Administrative Facilities Master Plan is also underway, considering consolidation at Ninth Street or Corbett/Wooster properties. Board members and Mayor Lawson raised safety and parking concerns at specific schools; Director Smith acknowledged ongoing partnerships with jurisdictions.
• 7B – TMRPA Budget for FY 2026-2027 – Dr. Jeremy Smith presented the proposed budget with a 2% increase in jurisdictional allocations ($21,700 total), supported by all three jurisdictions. The agency is projected to finish the current fiscal year with a small deficit, partly offset by a donation from the Greg Nelson Warren Nelson Family Trust for a regional trails coordinator. The budget includes a GIS surge to clear backlogs, merit increases, and a $130,000 draw from fund balance. A five-year outlook shows a sustainable 10% fund balance. The budget was adopted unanimously.
• 7C – Energy Sector Policy Review and Data Center Research – Chris Tally and Shawnee Sousa presented findings from ongoing research. A dedicated website now hosts information on energy, water, land use, and economic considerations. Key findings: large-scale data centers are unlikely to locate in Washoe County due to power and land constraints; water use is limited through use of treated effluent; and regional coordination is needed. The board discussed the need for consistent policies across jurisdictions, decommissioning requirements, and potential cumulative impacts. Attorney Jessica Prunty will prepare a memorandum on statutory authority for the April 9 meeting. No formal action was taken.
• 7D – Regional Planning Commission Subcommittee on Regional Coordination – Dr. Smith reported that the RPC formed a subcommittee after concerns about coordination in Cold Springs/Stone Gate. The subcommittee is exploring joint planning and cooperative planning mechanisms. Board members expressed that existing coordination is adequate and that additional policies are not needed; they emphasized the importance of training for planning commissioners. A motion by Clara Andreola, seconded, directed staff to convey board feedback to the subcommittee, focusing on statutory limits and education. Motion passed unanimously.
• 7E – Amendments to Policy PF8 (School Requirements) and MOU with State Public Charter School Authority – Dr. Smith presented two components: (1) a final Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State Public Charter School Authority for information sharing, and (2) a draft policy update for schools. The MOU was adopted unanimously. For the policy, the board provided feedback on draft language covering public process, traffic studies (including cumulative impacts and cross-jurisdictional effects), and pedestrian safety. Further stakeholder meetings will refine the language before a formal proposal returns to the board.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved – Unanimous votes on agenda, amendments, and consent calendar.
• FY 2026-2027 Budget Adopted – Motion passed unanimously.
• MOU with State Public Charter School Authority Approved – Unanimous vote to formalize information sharing.
• Feedback on School Policy – Board agreed to continue refining the PF8 policy with input from stakeholders; no formal adoption at this meeting.
• Regional Coordination Subcommittee Feedback – Board directed staff to communicate that no new regional policies are desired, and to emphasize statutory boundaries and commissioner training.
• Data Center Research Ongoing – Staff will prepare a legal memorandum for April and continue regional coordination.