Washoe County Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting – May 5, 2026

The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Board of Fire Commissioners met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 10:01 a.m. at 1001 E. 9th Street, Reno, Nevada. The meeting included approval of consent items, receipt of the Single Audit Report, discussion of the Fire Chief's monthly report, approvals of major equipment purchases, a financial status update, and presentation and approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 tentative budget.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Minutes of the April 7, 2026 meeting.
• Approved Purchase Order to CMC Tire, Inc. for tires (not to exceed $140,000) for FY 2026-2027.
• Approved Purchase Order to Dynamic Diesel for fleet maintenance and repair (not to exceed $150,000).
• Approved Purchase Order to Life Assist for medical supplies (not to exceed $175,000).
• Approved purchase of 43 Dell Pro Rugged 12-inch tablets and docking stations (total not to exceed $198,942.72).
• Approved increase of $45,000 (total $130,000) for Marshall EMS Billing Services PO.
• Ratified Fire Chief’s acceptance of two BLM/NV Fire Chief's Association grants: $70,415 for Silver Knolls Defensible Space and $75,000 for Steamboat-Via Bianca Fuel Break (no match required).
• Approved modified Healthcare Education Program Rate Sheet.
• Accepted donation of 15 manual blood pressure cuffs (estimated value $5,400) from Inter-Hospital Coordinating Council.
• Approved participation in Hearts 4 Heroes USA Paw Platoon Placement Program for a facility canine.
• Approved Resolution TM01-2026 authorizing overtime and portal-to-portal pay effective July 1, 2026.
• Approved cancellation of the May 19, 2026 budget meeting and rescheduling to May 26, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during either public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Single Audit Report (Item 6): The auditor, Kurt Schlicker from Id Bailey, presented the FY2025 Single Audit. The audit found two internal control findings: (1) the district did not provide evidence of checking vendor suspension/debarment before purchases over $25,000, and (2) reporting errors in pass-through grants with the county. No unallowable costs or repayment requirements were identified. CFO Crystal Sublett noted the compliance supplement delay caused the late presentation. The board acknowledged receipt and approved distribution.

• Fire Chief’s Report (Item 8): Chief Edwards highlighted the 2026 Community Report, noting a 42% increase in responses due to automatic/mutual aid agreements, a 14% increase in EMS responses, and a 28% increase in training hours. The wildland fuels division treated over 460 acres, collected over 4,500 cubic yards of vegetation, and treated 47 acres through prescribed burns. The fire prevention division completed 1,558 plan reviews and 354 defensible space inspections. A discussion ensued on the inefficiencies of the current CAD system, causing redundant dispatches. Commissioners expressed concerns about resource strain and safety. Chief Edwards noted the new Octave CAD system is delayed but expected to improve dispatch efficiency once implemented.

• Equipment Purchases (Items 9-11): The board approved three equipment purchases: 71 KNG-M150 mobile wildland radios ($295,500), 62 self-contained breathing apparatuses ($560,220.22), and 65 R2400 Cradlepoint routers ($240,005 with 10% contingency). Commissioner Hill thanked the Pennington Foundation for grant funding supporting these purchases.

• Financial Presentation (Item 12): CFO Sublett reported FY2025-2026 financials as of March 31, 2026: revenues at 77% of budget (property taxes at 95.8%), expenditures at 65% of budget. Salaries and benefits represent 79% of total annual budget. Capital projects revenues include $8 million from Apple reimbursement and $3.2 million from Pennington. The item was for information only.

• FY2026-2027 Tentative Budget (Item 13): CFO Sublett presented the tentative budget with a projected General Fund revenue of $59.6 million and expenditures of $56.4 million. Key changes include a corrected tax revenue reduction of over $900,000 from the Department of Taxation, inclusion of $1.3 million from North Township 22, and a 3.25% COLA for labor groups. The projected ending fund balance for FY2027 is $6.45 million (11.44% of expenditures, below the 17-20% policy target). A five-year forecast indicates a negative fund balance trend if no changes are made. Chief Edwards noted that the district cannot afford to bond a new fire station (Washoe Valley) and must find alternative funding. The board approved the tentative budget unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items (5A-L): Approved unanimously by voice vote.
• Single Audit Report (Item 6): Motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Vice Chair Garcia. Approved unanimously.
• Wildland Radios (Item 9): Motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner Herman. Approved unanimously.
• SCBA Purchase (Item 10): Motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Vice Chair Garcia. Approved unanimously.
• Cradlepoint Routers (Item 11): Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, second by Commissioner Herman. Approved unanimously.
• Tentative Budget (Item 13): Motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Vice Chair Garcia. Approved unanimously. The final budget will be presented for public hearing and adoption on May 26, 2026.
• Closed Session (Item 16): The board adjourned the open meeting at 11:27 a.m. to proceed to closed session upstairs to discuss labor issues per NRS 288.220.