OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Washoe County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 23, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, June 23, 2026
BodyWashoe County, Nevada
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:12:12

Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

Good morning.

0:11

I'd like to call the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners to order on June 23rd, 2026 at 10.04.

0:21

Thank you all for coming, and we appreciate your patience and us being just four minutes late as we just finished one meeting and now moving into the next.

0:31

So thank you.

0:33

Well, Mr.

0:33

Brooks, we're starting a tradition.

0:35

So would you like to do a salute to the flag?

0:48

And to the Republic, for which it stands.

0:51

One nation under God.

1:01

Thank you.

1:02

We'll now move to roll call, please.

1:07

Chair Andreola.

1:08

Present.

1:09

Vice Chair Garcia.

1:11

Commissioner Hill.

1:12

Here.

1:12

Commissioner Clark is absent.

1:14

Commissioner Herman, are you on the phone with us?

1:17

Yes, I am.

1:19

Thank you.

1:19

Here.

1:20

County Manager Kate Thomas.

1:22

Chief Deputy District Attorney Mike Large.

1:25

Present.

1:25

And I'm Yvonne Strickland, Deputy Clerk.

1:27

Madam Chair, you have a quorum.

1:29

Thank you so much.

1:30

We'll go ahead and close item two.

1:32

Move to item three.

1:33

Manager Thomas.

1:35

Thank you, Madam Chair.

1:36

Item 3A1 is an invocation, and we are joined this morning by Heather Perkins, who is the Director of Communications for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1:47

Our beloved Heavenly Father, we are so grateful to be here today in this setting with all of these good people.

1:54

We are thankful for the many blessings and tender mercies that thou dost bestow upon us as thy children.

2:03

We are grateful for thy beloved son Jesus Christ for his infinite atoning sacrifice that allows us to repent of our sins, to be comforted in times of need, to be strengthened when we are weak.

2:21

We pray that thou might bless all of us here today that we may feel of thy love.

2:30

We are so grateful for this beautiful world and for all thy creations.

2:34

We're grateful for these public servants who are willing to share their time and talents to serve and bless thy children in this county.

3:23

And we say these things in the name of thy beloved son Jesus Christ.

3:27

Amen.

3:29

Thank you.

3:34

Thank you.

3:35

This is a general update from our Trucky Meadows Fire and Rescue Chief Edwards, who is here.

3:40

And I know we're looking forward to hearing information on the incident that occurred over the weekend.

3:45

Welcome, Chief Edwards.

3:58

As I begin today, um our region has started to experience an increase in wildfires.

4:06

So our fuel levels or the fuel moistures are starting to decrease.

4:09

Our humidities are really getting low.

4:12

We've had some wind.

4:13

We've actually had a couple of fire weather uh warnings already issued for the region.

4:18

And so yesterday, in alignment with our state and federal partners, we adopted the first level of fire restrictions uh in the region for the season.

4:28

Um these restrictions include uh the following activities are prohibited until further notice or until these restrictions have been rescinded.

4:37

Smoking outdoors, welding, or operating in acetylene or other torch with an open flame, operating a chainsaw, or related equipment powered by an internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device, operating or parking a vehicle or other motorized equipment over or on top of dried or cured vegetation.

5:00

In addition, uh building, maintaining, and attending or using a fire using wood, charcoal, or any other material, campfire or stove fire, except a portable stove using gas, jelly petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of a developed V campground or picnic area, except by permit, is also now prohibited.

5:17

A barbecue on private property and an established barbecue or campfire ring, clear of final vegetation is still currently permitted.

5:24

So your backyard barbecues are still okay.

5:27

And a big reminder as we come into the 4th of July holiday, all fireworks, all tracer ammunition or exploding targets are illegal year round in Washoe County.

5:40

Please continue to follow our social media sites for updates on wildfires and more fire restrictions should they change.

5:48

Our website, TMFPD.us also has an updated list of these restrictions.

5:55

And I really encourage all of our residents to get the MySmart 911 app.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Economic Development█████████████13%
Election Integrity████████████12%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Public Health████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Homelessness████4%
Taxation And Revenue███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Washoe County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Washoe County Board of Commissioners met on June 23, 2026, at 10:04 AM, with Chair Clara Andriola presiding. Vice Chair Mariluz Garcia, Commissioner Alexis Hill, and Commissioner Jeanne Herman (attending remotely) were present; Commissioner Michael Clark was absent. The meeting included presentations, public comment, and action on several items, including a flash flood emergency update, an advisory question on electric vehicle fees, and approval of a construction contract for the elections office remodel. The meeting adjourned at 1:16 PM.

Presentations

  • Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue (Chief Edwards): Reported on the June 19, 2026, flash flood in the Hidden Valley neighborhood. A thunderstorm caused a debris flow that inundated the area. First responders rescued a family from a home with a gas leak. No human injuries or deaths; one cat perished. Recovery efforts: Community Services removed 4,600 tons of rocks and mud. Damage assessment: 1 home destroyed, 6 with major damage, 7 with minor damage, 9 affected. The Truckee River at Vista is about two-thirds blocked. A local emergency was declared to seek state and federal resources.
  • Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDON) – Taylor Adams: Presented annual update. Key metrics for the past year: 17 business attraction projects, 800+ jobs, $500 million+ capital investment; 385 business retention/expansion engagements, 877 assisted jobs; $950 million in venture capital funding for startups; 46 startups created. EDON supports advanced manufacturing, energy generation, and tech sectors.
  • Washoe County Public Guardian – Tracy Bowles: Reported on office operations. Current caseload: 302 protected persons (highest ever), average 30 cases per staff. Implemented a pilot program separating financial and people-oriented tasks to improve efficiency. Exploring AI for annual report drafting. Six certified guardians on staff. Challenges include high caseloads and limited ability to pause new cases.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Catherine Yarte (on Item 21): Supported the EV advisory question but urged capturing revenue from out-of-state travelers via charging station taxes, not just registration fees.
  • Terry Brooks: Addressed discrimination against disabled individuals, urging politicians to support accessibility and mental health facilities.
  • Kyle Sundland (Nevada Hopes): Thanked the board for funding the WORF grant, supporting Hope Springs transitional living program.
  • Oscar Williams: Raised concerns about election costs and transparency, asked for cost-per-ballot data and requested tabling Item 14 until observer input is included.
  • Jeff Church (Reno Tax Revolt): Opposed the EV fee advisory question, arguing the gas tax is already the highest in the nation ($1.14/gallon) and that raising taxes drives consumers to buy gas elsewhere. Suggested light rail instead.
  • Lindsay Harmon: Supported Item 21, stating electric vehicles should pay their fair share for road infrastructure.
  • Adrienne Alcala-Moss and John Sederland (Life Change Center): Expressed gratitude for the WORF grant to support opioid treatment outreach.
  • Eileen Eklund: Thanked commissioners for appointing new library trustees and Commissioner Hill as liaison, expressing hope for the library system.
  • Wendy Coburn (Building Trades Council): Supported the EV fee concept but preferred a statewide vehicle-miles-traveled approach; said if on ballot, they would support it.
  • Laura Wetherington: Asked for future library board applications to include home library questions and consideration of micro-communities.
  • Jane Fox (UNR Street Reach): Thanked the board for funding the mobile health clinic, reporting 450+ individuals engaged, 128 patients enrolled, 103 tested for HIV/hepatitis, 8% positivity rate for hepatitis C.
  • Penny Brock (on Item 14): Raised concerns about lack of public observation space in the new elections warehouse remodel, alleging floor plans were withheld and insufficient transparency. Asked to table the item.
  • Veronica Cortez: Advocated for Sun Valley safety and infrastructure improvements, opposing new taxes.
  • Donna Klantz: Supported the Hope Landing development and the EV fee question, but suggested the board consider a supplemental sales tax to fund services.
  • Monty Turner: Opposed the gas tax increase, citing high costs for rural drivers; suggested alcohol or gaming taxes instead.
  • Matt Bueller: Challenged the certification of the 2026 primary results, claiming 15,000+ voters did not receive mail ballots.

Discussion Items

  • Item 21 – Advisory Question on Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Fees: The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) presented a proposed advisory question for the November 2026 ballot asking voters whether electric and hybrid vehicles should pay a fee to fund road construction and maintenance. RTC cited studies showing a $15 million annual revenue gap from declining fuel tax revenues. Two polls showed 60% public support. The question is advisory; implementation would require legislative action. Public comment was mixed. The board voted 3-1 (Commissioner Herman opposed) to approve Resolution R26-25, placing the advisory question on the ballot.
  • Item 14 – Elections Office Remodel: The board considered a $3.1 million Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP1) agreement with Clark Sullivan Construction for tenant improvements at the new Registrar of Voters warehouse. Public comment raised concerns about observer access and transparency. County Manager Kate Thomas committed to continued engagement with the public on observation areas. The item was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion. The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
  • Item 15 – First Reading of Ordinance Amending Common Open Space Development (Bill 1955): Planning staff proposed amending Article 408 to require only three of five findings for common open space development, rather than all five, to avoid excluding parcels that lack site-specific natural features. The board introduced the ordinance on first reading.

Key Outcomes

  • Emergency Declaration: Ratified the local emergency declaration for the June 19 flash flood (to be formally approved at a later meeting).
  • Advisory Question Approved: Resolution R26-25 was adopted 3-1, placing an advisory question on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot regarding fees for electric and hybrid vehicles.
  • Elections Office Remodel: Approved GMP1 agreement for $3.1 million with Clark Sullivan Construction for tenant improvements, effective July 1, 2026.
  • Donations Approved: Accepted $3,500 from Reno Elks Lodge for veterans treatment courts, $11,255.02 in monetary donations and supplies for Regional Animal Services, and a $3,000 pass-through donation from Rocky Mountain Information Network. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Consent Calendar: Approved items 9A-9G (excluding item 14) as a block, including minutes, tax roll changes, bond proceeds, quitclaim deed, employee residence agreement, and reappointments to various boards.
  • Introduction of Ordinance (Bill 1955): First reading approved for amending Chapter 110, Article 408 (common open space development), with a public hearing set for a future date.
  • Second Reading and Adoption (Ordinance 1763): Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 5 related to employee service awards. Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. I'd like to call the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners to order on June 23rd, 2026 at 10.04. Thank you all for coming, and we appreciate your patience and us being just four minutes late as we just finished one meeting and now moving into the next. So thank you. Well, Mr. Brooks, we're starting a tradition. So would you like to do a salute to the flag? And to the Republic, for which it stands. One nation under God. Thank you. We'll now move to roll call, please. Chair Andreola. Present. Vice Chair Garcia. Commissioner Hill. Here. Commissioner Clark is absent. Commissioner Herman, are you on the phone with us? Yes, I am. Thank you. Here. County Manager Kate Thomas. Chief Deputy District Attorney Mike Large. Present. And I'm Yvonne Strickland, Deputy Clerk. Madam Chair, you have a quorum. Thank you so much. We'll go ahead and close item two. Move to item three. Manager Thomas. Thank you, Madam Chair. Item 3A1 is an invocation, and we are joined this morning by Heather Perkins, who is the Director of Communications for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our beloved Heavenly Father, we are so grateful to be here today in this setting with all of these good people. We are thankful for the many blessings and tender mercies that thou dost bestow upon us as thy children. We are grateful for thy beloved son Jesus Christ for his infinite atoning sacrifice that allows us to repent of our sins, to be comforted in times of need, to be strengthened when we are weak. We pray that thou might bless all of us here today that we may feel of thy love. We are so grateful for this beautiful world and for all thy creations. We're grateful for these public servants who are willing to share their time and talents to serve and bless thy children in this county. And we say these things in the name of thy beloved son Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. This is a general update from our Trucky Meadows Fire and Rescue Chief Edwards, who is here. And I know we're looking forward to hearing information on the incident that occurred over the weekend. Welcome, Chief Edwards. As I begin today, um our region has started to experience an increase in wildfires. So our fuel levels or the fuel moistures are starting to decrease. Our humidities are really getting low. We've had some wind. We've actually had a couple of fire weather uh warnings already issued for the region.

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