Washoe County Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 10, 2026
Washoe County Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 10, 2026
The Washoe County Board of Commissioners met on March 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Reno, Nevada. The meeting included presentations on the jail status and competency court, routine consent items, a first reading of an ordinance to expedite attainable housing projects, an appointment to the TRPA Advisory Planning Commission, and a lengthy public hearing on the Sierra Reflections subdivision appeal. The board ultimately voted 3-2 to reverse the Planning Commission's unanimous denial and approve the 940-lot common open space development subject to conditions, including a $1 million advance toward a new fire station.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes for January 13 and January 20, 2026.
- Approved reclassification of a Hydrogeologist to Environmental Engineer II/I.
- Authorized release of $90,000 in TRPA mitigation funds for Lower Rosewood Creek and Burnt Cedar projects, and approved an interlocal agreement with Nevada Tahoe Conservation District.
- Acknowledged the FY2025 Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and auditor's report.
- Awarded independent audit services to Eide Bailly LLP for FY2026.
- Retroactively acknowledged a $20,000 grant from Lee F. Del Grande Foundation to Family Peace Center.
- Deobligated $281,822.21 in ARPA funds and reallocated to Washoe Children’s Behavioral Health Center upgrades.
- Approved transfer of $37,822.43 in indirect costs from ARPA to General Fund.
- Approved replacement grant recipient for Sparks Library mural (Honor the Earth).
- Approved budget amendments for HPP/ASPR and PHEP subawards (total $177,252.81, including county match).
- Approved forensic support services agreements with Sparks Police and four other agencies ($216,447 total).
- Approved a 1.0 FTE Media Production Specialist position within Sheriff’s Office, eliminating two dispatcher positions and reclassifying a manager, resulting in net savings of $10,743.
- Adopted revised Washoe County Investment Policies.
- Approved transfer of STAR Program grants and budget from Department of Alternative Sentencing to Human Services Agency, retroactive to January 1, 2026, including $310,536 from Fund for a Resilient Nevada and $826,852 from Bureau of Justice Assistance.
- Accepted FFY26 Title XX supplemental amendment for $497,856 (no county match) for child welfare.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment (morning): Harry Swenson and others spoke on the TRPA APC appointment, emphasizing the need for a full-time Tahoe resident who understands local issues. Thomas Daly, Curtis Coulter, Beverly Silva, and many others voiced strong opposition to the Sierra Reflections project, citing mercury contamination, traffic, water depletion, fire danger, infrastructure strain, and incompatibility with the rural master plan. A petition of 1,828 signatures was submitted. Detailed technical presentations by residents covered cultural resources, density calculations, endangered species, floodplain destruction, seismic risks, and inadequate emergency services.
- During Sierra Reflections Hearing (afternoon): Over 40 speakers, including geologists, hydrologists, former Commissioner Bob Rusk, and residents, provided extensive testimony against the project. They argued the application failed to meet required findings under the Washoe County Development Code and Envision 2040 Master Plan, particularly regarding rural character, environmental protection, and public safety. The developer’s team (Doug Thornley, Dave Snellgrove, Ken Crater) presented technical studies, touted 61% open space, fiscal surplus of $17.8 million, and a pro-rata share for a new fire station.
Presentations
- Jail Status Report (2nd Quarter FY26): Captain John Stewart reported an average daily population of 1,158 inmates, 219 suicide watch placements, 10 inmate-on-staff assaults, and 4,455 jail bed days saved through the inmate assistance program ($911,250). Medical refusals (42) and hospital days increased in December.
- Competency Court Performance: Chief Judge Egan Walker presented that the court diverted 150 people from the competency pipeline, returned 196 to competency, and saved an estimated $9.6 million in jail and treatment costs. 24 participants in supportive housing saw a 93% reduction in arrests. He requested 50 permanent supportive housing beds.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance First Reading (Item 8): Introduction of Bill 1945 to amend Washoe County Code Chapter 110 to establish expedited review for attainable housing projects (up to 150% AMI) and tier 1-5 affordable housing, in compliance with AB 540. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. A public hearing and second reading set for April 14, 2026.
- TRPA Advisory Planning Commission Appointment (Item 12): The board appointed Harry Swenson as the Washoe County lay member for a two-year term. He received the most votes from commissioners.
- Sierra Reflections Appeal (Item 13): The board heard an appeal of the Planning Commission’s January 6, 2026, denial of Tentative Subdivision Map WTM24-001 and Special Use Permit WSUP25-0019. The project (759.7 acres, 940 lots, up to 3.6M cubic yards excavation) is on a mercury superfund site in the South Valleys. Staff recommended approval with over 100 conditions. After extensive public comment and commissioner deliberation, the board debated the legal findings and potential fire station funding. Vice Chair Garcia proposed an amended condition requiring a $1 million advance toward the consolidated fire station within 180 days of final regional approval, with pro-rata share paid at building permits.
Key Outcomes
- Sierra Reflections Appeal: The board voted 3-2 to reverse the Planning Commission’s denial and approve the tentative map and special use permit, subject to conditions including the amended fire station condition (7D). Voting in favor: Commissioners Hill, Garcia, and Chair Andreola. Voting against: Commissioners Herman and Clark.
- Athenable Housing Ordinance: First reading introduced; public hearing set for April 14, 2026.
- TRPA Appointment: Harry Swenson appointed.
- Recess: The board briefly recessed at 6:55 PM due to disruption from the audience during deliberations.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. It is March 10th at 10 a.m. and I'm going to call the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting to order. And I'd like to ask for a roll call, please. Would you like to salute the question? We can salute the flag before the roll call. Thank you. Why don't we do that? Mr. Daly. Thank you. We'll move to roll call. Thank you. So Chair Andreola. Present. Vice Chair Garcia. Here. Commissioner Hill. Here. Commissioner Clark. Commissioner Herman. Here. County Manager Kate Thomas here. DA Mike Large. Present. And I'm Jan Galluscene, your county clerk. Madam, you have a quorum. Thank you so much. And just to let everyone know, um, if anyone is here for the public hearing, we are going to have a time certain on that at 1 p.m. So I just wanted to remind anyone that is here for that, just to be aware. So we'll move now to public comment. Okay, Madam Chair. We are on item number three, public comment. And comment heard under this item will be limited to three minutes per person, and it may pertain to matters both on and off the commission agenda. A news time may not be allocated to other speakers. The commission will also hear public comment during individual action items with comment limited to three minutes per person. Comments are to be made to the commission as a whole, and virtual public comment may be taken when facilities are available. Thank you. First up, we have Harry Swinson followed by Thomas Daly. Good morning. Thank you very much for allowing me to address the chair. My name is Harry Swenson. I live year-round in Incline Village. I'm one of the applicants for the advisory planning commission of the TRPA governing board. Thank you for this opportunity and encouraging full-time residents of the Tahoe Basin to apply. It is important that the person selected appreciates the wonder of the lake while also understands the realities of living there. Residents face constant concerns of wildfire risk, complex evacuation planning, heavy snowfalls that affect transportation, and summer traffic standstills on our mostly two-lane roads. We also understand and see firsthand the challenges of housing affordability for our workforce, needs of our school children and seniors, and impact of the millions of visitors who come here each year. These issues that full-time residents experience and understand in a very direct way. It is essential that the appointee is able to understand and clearly communicate science behind those policies and their impact.
openpublica.com