Washoe County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting – June 26, 2026

This special meeting of the Washoe County Board of Commissioners was held on June 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Commissioners Clara Andriola (Chair), Mariluz Garcia (Vice-Chair), and Alexis Hill were present; Commissioners Michael Clark and Jeanne Herman were absent. The board addressed two action items: approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 tax levy and ratification of a state of emergency declaration following the June 19 flash flood in Hidden Valley. Public comment focused on tax rates, service inadequacies, and the need for long-term flood mitigation and resident assistance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Monty Turner expressed frustration over property taxes, stating he received no services (fire, sheriff, code enforcement) and called it “taxation without representation.” He also criticized fuel taxes, claiming Washoe County has the highest county fuel tax in the U.S., and argued that commissioners serving on multiple boards constitute a conflict of interest.
• Cindy Leslie (Sun Valley resident) questioned where her Sun Valley GID tax payments go, noting that $39 annually and $3 monthly on water bills do not appear to be returned to the GID for ditch cleaning.
• Troy Regis (candidate for District 3) opposed tax increases, citing hardships for low-income residents who must drive far for groceries. He also criticized developments like Skyline and Server Reflections, claiming they ignore community concerns.
• Claudia Townsend (36-year Nevada resident) urged the board to pursue federal and state programs (FEMA Individual Assistance, HUD CDBG-DR, HMGP) that provide direct aid to homeowners, not just infrastructure. She noted this is the third flood in Hidden Valley and asked for leadership to help families rebuild.
• Eric Disbro thanked first responders and public works but urged long-term flood mitigation, including drainage infrastructure improvements and community involvement in planning. He noted his family spent $20,000 after last year’s mudslide.
• Deborah Wilson (Hidden Valley resident, insurance agent) stressed that mudslide/mudflow is not covered by flood insurance, leaving homeowners with no safety net. She commended the county’s rapid response and urged help for neighbors who cannot return home.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – Approval of FY 2026-2027 Tax Levy (Resolution R26-000033): County Manager Kate Thomas explained that the Nevada Tax Commission certified the combined overlapping tax rate at $3.64 per $100 assessed valuation, unchanged from the prior year. Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Large confirmed the statutory requirement under NRS 361.460. Chair Andriola emphasized the rate did not increase. The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
• Item 6 – Ratification of State of Emergency Declaration (June 19 Flood): Manager Thomas noted the declaration was issued on June 19, 2026, and required board ratification. Emergency Manager Kelly Cheverria provided an overview: 2 inches of rain fell in one hour, causing significant debris flow in Hidden Valley. Community Services Director Eric Crump reported over 1,900 labor hours, removal of 5,400 tons of mud and debris, and clearing of 78 drainage inlets. The declaration allows pursuit of state and federal reimbursement. Chair Andriola emphasized that FEMA thresholds must be met but affirmed the county’s commitment to seek all available aid. Staff outlined ongoing mitigation efforts, including FEMA flood mapping and hazard mitigation planning. The board voted unanimously to ratify the declaration.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution R26-000033 adopted unanimously – The FY 2026-2027 tax levy was approved with no rate change, meeting statutory requirements.
• State of emergency ratified unanimously – The declaration for the June 19 flood event was confirmed, enabling the county to seek state and federal assistance.
• Commitment to community support: Chair Andriola pledged to host a community meeting for Hidden Valley residents and to improve communication of available resources. Commissioners will explore state-level insurance advocacy and potential NACo (Nevada Association of Counties) initiatives.
• Staff to coordinate with affected residents: The county will continue to track costs for potential FEMA thresholds and work with volunteer organizations like the Red Cross and Team Rubicon.
• No further public comment was heard for item 7 (general public comment) or item 8 (announcements).