Washoe County Board of Commissioners Meeting: May 26, 2026

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on May 26, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:41 PM. The agenda included presentations, public comments, consent items, and multiple action items including ordinances, resolutions, and development agreements.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes for April 14, April 21 (workshop), and April 28, 2026.
• Acknowledged communications and reports.
• Approved roll changes (cumulative decrease of $162,166.65 to all taxing entities).
• Approved Grant of Access and Utility Easement for Incline Village roundabout improvements.
• Acknowledged Nevada Strategic Highway Safety Plan pledge.
• Approved Amendment No. 1 for East Shore Trail parking and multi-use path improvements.
• Approved Non-Exclusive Easement for BI CDLP LLC for access and utility facilities.
• Accepted National Children’s Alliance Chapter Grant ($136,488, no match).
• Accepted Victims of Crime Act grant ($220,881, $55,220 in-kind match).
• Accepted Violence Against Women Act grant ($250,580, $88,885 in-kind match).
• Acknowledged Law Library grant ($2,000, no match).
• Accepted Nutrition Services Incentive Program grant ($209,293, no match).
• Approved Organizational Agreement with UNR for Juvenile Services internships.
• Accepted Emergency Management Performance Grant ($84,469.52, $84,469.52 county match).
• Approved $12,400 for prepaid cards to incentivize litter cleanup.
• Appointed Chris Wood as alternate TRPA Governing Board member.
• Approved budget amendments for NNPH PHP Carryforward ($16,882, $2,065.40 match).
• Accepted additional HIDTA grant ($30,000, no match).
• Accepted Justice Assistance Grant ($18,391, no match).
• Approved Andelin Family Farm security agreement (reimbursement up to $6,000).
• All consent items approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tammy Holt opposed Item 26 (Prado Ranch North extension), citing NRS violations regarding the sewer facility and failure to record final map within statutory timelines; claimed staff are not qualified to determine BFE.
• Val White raised election security concerns: cell phones allowed in tabulation room, reused thumb drives, ballot storage disorganization, and generator issues.
• Brianna Forzowski described laptops with access to voter data leaving the processing room, lack of camera surveillance in tabulation room, and unaddressed requests for live-stream cameras.
• Terry Brooks advocated against discrimination of people with mental disabilities, emphasizing varied capabilities.
• Robbie Williams criticized lack of transparency: removal of lobby monitor, delays in answering questions, lack of bipartisan observers, undeliverable ballots, and design concerns for new election center.
• Oscar Williams filed a civil and voting rights complaint regarding sample ballots no longer mailed by precinct; requested a countywide citizens advisory board on elections.
• Laura Wetherington urged the board to develop substantive onboarding for library board appointees and assign a commissioner liaison; cited conflicts of interest and lack of training.
• Haley Hayden and Ashley Makway (Reno Sparks Chamber Leadership class) expressed appreciation for commissioners and promoted Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• Sandra Miller described difficulties with Social Security disability and landlord issues.
• Heidi Soper (Sun Valley CAB chair) supported Items 20 and 21, recommending enlargement of CAB boundaries to District 3 and distribution of bylaws to all CABs.

Discussion Items

• Item 4A1 – Wildfire Prevention Update: Chief Edwards reported on May as Wildfire Prevention Month, highlighted the O’Brien’s Pass fire (6.5 acres, human-caused), volunteer firefighter program, and invited commissioners to the June 3 America 250 event.
• Item 7A1 – WOARF Projects: Lauren Beal reported that $11.43 million of over $40 million expected has been received; $5 million allocated to grants, $2.97 million spent. Outcomes: nearly 900 people connected to treatment, 5,000+ naloxone doses distributed. Priorities include outreach, housing, mobile health, and child welfare. New funding plan of $5.6 million, with $5.5 million for approved priorities and $100,000 for emerging needs. Commissioner Clark raised concerns about an alleged misuse of opioid funds by a nonprofit, requesting safeguards. Vice Chair Garcia and Commissioner Herman commended the work and asked about community-level data tracking.
• Item 7B1 – Pretrial Services, Post-Sentence Supervision, and STAR Program: Staff reported successful dissolution of the Department of Alternative Sentencing. Pretrial caseload doubled from 400 to 800 defendants. Post-sentence supervision: 4 officers managing an average of 66 probationers each (vs. 24–26 in Las Vegas). STAR program: 3 clients currently, with gradual expansion. Drug testing moving to Averhealth. Collaboration with courts ongoing. Commissioner Hill noted communication improvements; Vice Chair Garcia and Chair Andriola praised the team for a smooth transition.
• Item 10 – NCTech Imagery and VR.World Subscription: Approved for $318,745.45, with renewal option at $31,200/year (funded by Assessor’s Technology Fund).
• Item 11 – Tax Roll Change Requests from Audits: Approved, cumulative decrease of $930,501.68.
• Item 12 – 2026/2027 Slurry Seal Contract: Awarded to Sierra Nevada Construction ($3,002,982) with $200,000 contingency.
• Item 13 – 911 Parr Boulevard Roof Replacement: Awarded to D&D Roofing ($617,970) plus materials purchase ($550,388.11) and $40,000 contingency.
• Item 14 – Pleasant Valley Interceptor Reach 3 Amendment No. 1: Approved supplemental preconstruction services ($31,750, total contract $330,631).
• Item 15 – Pleasant Valley Interceptor GMP 2: Approved $5,111,861.86 for dewatering system.
• Item 16 – Senior Services Phase 1 Remodel Change Order No. 05: Approved $19,891.73 (total contract $889,956.35) and timeline extension to June 30, 2026.
• Item 17 – First Reading: Density Bonus Ordinance: Introduced (Bill 1953). Amends Chapter 110 to establish density bonuses for attainable housing (scales to zone) and attainable senior housing, prohibits stacking bonuses, sets affordability periods (30 years rental, 9 years for-sale). Public comment by Pat Davison (District 5) expressed support. Public hearing set for June 16, 2026.
• Item 18 – Child Support Incentive Funds: Accepted $706,553.68 based on FFY22/23 performance.
• Item 19 – First Reading: Employee Service Awards Ordinance: Introduced (Bill 1954). Increases service awards from $25 to $50 and retirement awards from $50 to $75. Public hearing set for June 23, 2026.
• Item 20 – CAB Resolutions: Adopted amended resolutions for nine Citizens Advisory Boards, aligning boundaries with commissioner districts and expanding coverage to all residential areas. Approved unanimously.
• Item 21 – CAB Bylaws: Adopted updated standard bylaws after public input (84 respondents). Modifications include leave of absence procedures and training requirements. Approved unanimously.
• Item 22 – ARPA Fund Deobligation and Reallocation: Approved deobligation of $614,085.43 from completed/under-budget projects and reallocation to Future of Work ($393,085.43), Alternative PD Paralegal ($156,000), and Grant Proposal – Infrastructure ($65,000). Correction noted: “PD paralegal” renamed to “Alternative PD Paralegal.” Commissioner Clark expressed concerns about oversight of ARPA-funded programs.
• Item 23 – Recorder Technology Fund FY27 Report: Acknowledged projected proceeds of $452,087 and expenditures of $413,226.
• Item 24 – OTS Grant for LC-MS/MS Equipment: Approved $400,000 grant (25% in-kind match) for drug screening on DUI cases.
• Item 25 – Second Reading: Stormwater Fee Reduction: Adopted Ordinance 1756 decreasing fees from $9.31 to $2.00 per residential ERU effective July 1, 2026. Approved unanimously.
• Item 26 – Second Reading: Prado Ranch North Development Agreement: Adopted Ordinance 1757 extending final map deadline to September 9, 2030 (490 lots, 483 remaining). Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Herman opposed).
• Item 27 – Second Reading: RRIF Amendments: Adopted Ordinance 1758 updating the General Administrative Manual and fee schedule (average decrease of 2.3%). Approved unanimously.
• Item 28 – Master Plan and Regulatory Zone Amendments (SOI Rollback): Approved designation of 40 parcels (federal/state owned) as Open Space on master plan maps, and zoning for 20 of those parcels as Open Space, following release from Reno’s sphere of influence. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items and the block of items 10–16, 18, 22, 23, 24 were approved unanimously, with a correction to item 22 specifying “Alternative PD Paralegal.”
• Two ordinances were introduced on first reading: density bonuses for attainable housing (public hearing June 16) and employee service awards (public hearing June 23).
• Resolutions and bylaws for Citizens Advisory Boards were updated and adopted unanimously.
• Stormwater fees were reduced via Ordinance 1756; the Prado Ranch North development agreement extension passed 4-1; RRIF amendments were adopted.
• Master plan and zoning for SOI rollback parcels were approved.
• Commissioner Clark requested a meeting with the County Manager and District Attorney regarding oversight of county funds and investigation requests. He also requested a future agenda item to define protocol for commissioner absences during meetings.
• Chair Andriola indicated future discussion on annexation cost impacts related to public safety funding.