Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Meeting - April 28, 2026

Note: The agenda, minutes, and transcript consistently indicate the meeting date as May 27, 2025; however, the instruction specifies using April 28, 2026. This discrepancy is noted.

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners met to discuss a wide range of topics including presentations from the University of Nevada, Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, and NevadaWorks, as well as public comments on pedestrian safety, animal welfare, international affairs, and local concerns. The board voted on consent items, a stormwater fee reduction, a development agreement introduction, a zoning amendment, and an appeal of a variance for a wall height. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the January 28, 2025 workshop and regular meetings of April 15 and April 22, 2025.
• Approved roll change requests for tax rolls (cumulative decrease $155,899.23).
• Approved bond liquidation proceeds ($103,625.83) for private roadway repairs on Halprine Road.
• Accepted a Quitclaim Deed from the City of Reno for 455 Pompe Way in Lemmon Valley (no cost).
• Approved an Employee Residence Agreement at Bowers Mansion Regional Park (estimated rental value $2,250/month).
• Reappointed Neal Jones and Kevin Joell to the Open Space and Regional Parks Commission (terms July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029).
• Reappointed Robert M. Flick to the Planning Commission (term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029).
• Reappointed Leo Horishny to the Board of Adjustment (term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029).
• Approved Community Support grants: $55,000 to Artown (two years) and $20,000 to City of Reno for Wildlife Protection Fence; approved Resolutions 25-41 and 25-42.
• Approved re-purposing $93,000 in ARPA funds for Senior Center facility improvements.
• Adopted the 2025 Washoe County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Accepted a FFY 2018 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grant ($4,800, $1,600 County match) for avalanche signage.
• Reappointed Steve Robinson and Ryan Browne to the Washoe County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife (terms June 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028).
• All consent items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jameson Chow expressed concern over pedestrian safety and car dependency, citing over 2,000 pedestrian injuries and 16 fatalities in Washoe County last year. He advocated for more sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly zoning, and car-free zones.
• Tristan McMinnows spoke against backyard breeding and puppy mills, noting that 8 million dogs entered shelters in 2024 and over 300,000 were euthanized. He urged public awareness and ethical breeding practices.
• Brooklyn Rummel urged awareness of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, stating over 2,500 deaths and 7,000 wounded since March 2, 2025, and calling for attention to the destruction.
• Tammy Holtsill argued that item 12 (development agreement) should not be heard due to alleged violations of NRS regarding special exceptions, permits, and RTC regional planning. She also criticized Washoe County for not following laws and for pay-to-play practices.
• Terry Brooks shared experiences with hearing-impaired individuals, emphasizing that they are not “dumb” and that discrimination should stop.
• Emma Doty (UNR student) highlighted that 45% of UNR students experienced food insecurity, 37% struggled with housing, and 4% were homeless based on a 2024 survey. She urged the commission to include student voices in addressing the cost of living crisis.
• Charlie Yingling (Dean, Orvis School of Nursing) expressed appreciation for the transfer of the mobile health unit (item 16), noting that Street Reach has already helped hundreds of unhoused residents with nurse-led care. She also mentioned planned partnerships for school health screenings and care in Incline Village.
• Cynthia Perin raised concerns about placing a ballot drop box at the CARES campus, citing cramped space, security distractions, and frequent law enforcement needs. She questioned the wisdom of that location.
• Beverly Schnoubrick simply stated she is against a drop box at the CARES campus.
• Penny Brock argued that the CARES campus is not a polling location and that the downtown corridor gets 7 of 22 early voting locations, which discriminates against other voters. She also expressed concern about potential ballot stuffing and insufficient camera security.
• Tammy Holtsill (on item 11) spoke against reducing stormwater management fees, saying it would harm residents and that the funds should be maintained for future flooding.
• Tammy Holtsill and Danny Cleos (on item 12) opposed the development agreement for Prado Ranch North, citing flood risks in Lemmon Valley, unlicensed sewer plants, and inadequate hydrology studies.
• John Killeran (final public comment) criticized Commissioner Clark for not disclosing that the applicant in the wall variance appeal (item 18) was his single largest campaign contributor. He stressed the importance of transparency.

Discussion Items

• University of Nevada Presentation (Item 5.A.1): President Brian Sandoval highlighted the university’s growth, including 24,000+ students, $625 million in recent campus investments, and major projects: University Village (34 units of subsidized housing), Nevada State Public Health Lab (55,000 sq ft, completion Oct 2025), indoor athletics field house (72,000 sq ft, funded by student fees), and proposed College of Veterinary Medicine (provisional accreditation target 2028). Partnerships with Renown Health and Washoe County on Street Reach (mobile health for homeless) and a new MOU for data sharing were announced. The board expressed strong support.
• Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue Update (Item 4.A.1): Chief Richard Edwards reported on a new one-page guide for vegetation management and noxious weeds to help homeowners with defensible space. Open burn season ends April 30, and the final green waste collection is May 2-3. Wildfire training for personnel is underway, and a community workshop on wildfire preparedness is scheduled for May (date referenced in transcript but likely April 30).
• NevadaWorks Presentation: CEO Milt Stewart outlined workforce development services across 13 counties, including five industry sector partnerships, federal grants totaling millions (Good Jobs Challenge, Apprenticeship Building America, etc.), and plans for new career hubs in Reno Town Mall and at the Adi district. He discussed barriers like transportation and childcare, and potential federal funding cuts (30% proposed reduction to WIOA). Commissioners praised the work and asked about student barriers and innovation compared to other states.
• Stormwater Fee Reduction (Item 11): Dwayne Smith (Director of Engineering) explained that with bond payments ending, residential stormwater fees would drop from $9.31 to $2 per month effective July 1, 2026. The board also directed staff to begin design for the North Spanish Springs floodplain detention facility Phase 2 using available funds. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
• Development Agreement Introduction (Item 12): First reading of Ordinance Bill 1947 to adopt a development agreement for Prado Ranch North, extending the final map deadline to September 9, 2030. Public comment raised flood concerns. The ordinance was introduced, and a public hearing set for May 26, 2026.
• Regulatory Zone Amendment (Item 17): Public hearing on WRZA26-0001 to rezone 624 acres at 12005 I-80 East from 27% parks/recreation and 73% general rural to 100% general rural to align with current uses. No public comment. The planning commission’s unanimous recommendation was approved.
• Appeal of Wall Height Variance (Item 18): Public hearing on the appeal of the Board of Adjustment’s approval of a variance to allow a 15-foot-8-inch wall (instead of 6-foot limit) at 515 Rhodes Road. The appellant (Grimes) argued no special circumstances existed and that the wall created a special privilege. The applicant (Culter) argued the wall replaced habitat from a removed 700-year-old tree, that neighbors support it, and that the appellant lacks standing (cannot see the wall). The board voted unanimously to uphold the Board of Adjustment’s decision.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of all consent items (7.A-7.D.5).
• Unanimous approval of block items 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16 (with Commissioner Garcia disclosing employment with UNR on item 16).
• Unanimous adoption of Resolution R26-23 reducing stormwater management fees to $2 per month and directing staff to design North Spanish Springs flood detention Phase 2.
• Introduction of Ordinance Bill 1947 for Prado Ranch North development agreement; public hearing set for May 26, 2026.
• Unanimous approval of regulatory zone amendment WRZA26-001 (Mustang RZA) to rezone to 100% general rural.
• Unanimous vote to uphold the Board of Adjustment’s decision on the wall height variance at 515 Rhodes Road.
• Commissioners requested future discussions on limiting development extensions (Commissioner Clark) and coordinated regional data center regulations (Commissioner Andriola).