Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Meeting - August 25, 2026

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners met on August 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Reno, Nevada. The meeting included updates on recent wildfires, approval of an interlocal agreement with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, an executive update from the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, and first readings of ordinances related to equine facilities and congested shooting areas. A significant portion of public comment addressed the invocation by the Reno Satanic, concerns about the Flock Safety ALPR system, and the community's response to the Hawk Fire.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes for the regular meetings of June 23, 2026, and July 14, 2026, and the special meeting of June 26, 2026, were approved.
• Communications and Reports: Acknowledged communications and reports received by the Clerk.
• Tax Roll Changes: Approved roll change requests for errors on tax rolls from 2023/2024 through 2026/2027, with a cumulative decrease to all taxing entities of $70,621.26.
• Employee Residence Agreement: Approved occupancy of a county-owned residence at 380 Short St, Gerlach, by David Keltner, a Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanic.
• East Shore Trail Interlocal Amendment: Re-approved Amendment No. 1 to the interlocal agreement with NDOT for additional parking, shared use path, and pedestrian crossing along SR 28.
• Bid Rejection: Rejected all bids for the Steamboat Lift Station Recycle Service Line Addition Project due to inconsistencies in bidding documents.
• Water Rights Applications: Provided non-binding recommendations to the Nevada State Engineer on several water rights applications, including 16.28 acre-feet (Plumb Lane Business Park), 304.833 acre-feet (TRI General Improvement District), and temporary changes of 1,400 acre-feet (TMWA).
• Financial Awards: Acknowledged receipt of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from GFOA.
• COLA for Elected Officials: Approved a 2% cost-of-living adjustment retroactive to July 1, 2026, for the District Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk, Assessor, Recorder, Treasurer, and Public Administrator (total fiscal impact $40,549).
• Sun Valley Senior Services Interlocal: Approved an interlocal contract with Sun Valley General Improvement District for senior services space ($45,000 annually).
• Position Reclassification: Approved reclassification of two Human Services Case Worker positions to Human Services Intake Screens, saving $42,945.93.
• Grants and Donations: Accepted several grants and donations, including $8,000 from UNR Med for street medicine, $102,212 in federal adoption incentive funds, a $2,800 grant to RennerVation Foundation, $30,000 in district grants (Jewish Nevada, Lifestyle Homes Foundation, Reno Toy Run), and $29,000 in district grants (Men's CrossRoads, 4-H, Vya and Washoe Storey Conservation Districts, Adopt-A-Vet Dental Program, Salvation Army). Also accepted Homeland Security grants for perimeter platform ($213,000), continuity of operations ($183,400), hazardous materials response ($36,000), and terrorism preparedness ($32,000), as well as a $56,000 grant for intelligence mapping software, $121,140 for CERT, and $44,684.49 for E911 reimbursements.
• Board Appointments: Appointed argument committees for Ballot Question No. 1 (annual road use fee on electric/hybrid vehicles), acknowledged early voting and election day vote centers for the 2026 General Election, and confirmed retroactive reappointments to the OPEB Trust Fund Board.
• Item 10.F.5 (Veterans Services Interlocal): Pulled from consent and held for later consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Invocation Controversy: Numerous speakers expressed strong opposition to the invocation delivered by a representative of the Reno Satanic, arguing it was not a religion, offended Christian values, and invited divine wrath. A few speakers defended the inclusion, citing the First Amendment and the application process. Some speakers linked the invocation to the recent wildfires as a sign of divine displeasure.
• Wildfire Response: Several residents praised first responders and shared personal evacuation experiences. Criticisms included delays in reopening neighborhoods, lack of timely updates, and poor communication of evacuation routes. One speaker requested an after-action review of the evacuation and repopulation process.
• Flock Safety ALPR System: Multiple speakers called for the cancellation of the county's contract with Flock Safety, citing Fourth Amendment violations, potential for abuse (e.g., stalking, racial profiling), and documented misuse by law enforcement. They requested a future agenda item to ban automated license plate readers.
• Other Concerns: A small business owner described difficulties with health department regulations. A speaker raised concerns about traffic enforcement. Two CrossRoads program participants spoke in support of continued funding. A representative from Cold Springs Seniors thanked Commissioner Clark for donations and requested that the Cold Springs community center be opened during emergencies. A speaker from Adopt-A-Vet Dental Program thanked Commissioner Herman for support. A speaker from Jewish Nevada thanked Commissioner Clark for funding the Milk and Honey Festival. A speaker requested information on ICE detainees held at the Washoe County jail. A speaker requested a fire station in Washoe Valley. A speaker raised concerns about data centers and their heat impact. A speaker requested repair of gabion walls on Mt. Rose Highway. A speaker supported the South Valleys Regional Park expansion for youth softball.

Discussion Items

• Fire Update (Chief Edwards): Chief Edwards reported on the Bug Fire (97% containment, 40,600 acres), Stallion Fire (98% containment), and the Hawk Fire (started August 22, 15,000 acres, 27% containment, 32 homes lost, 6 severely damaged, 43,000 under go now evacuation at peak, 4 civilian injuries, 3 firefighter injuries, no fatalities). He urged caution in open spaces and encouraged use of the Watch Duty app and perimeter map.com.
• Interlocal Agreement with TMFPD (Item 8): The board convened in joint session with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District to approve a new interlocal agreement (FY27 contract amount $1,300,000) replacing the 2012 agreement. The agreement outlines services provided between the agencies, including volunteer fire oversight and county administrative support. Approved unanimously.
• RTAA Executive Update (Item 7.A.1): Chris Jensen, new CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, presented the annual update. He highlighted over $1 billion in construction projects (on budget and on schedule), 5 million passengers expected this year, and new service to Nashville starting October 2. The airport is funded through operations, federal grants, and debt, with no local tax increases. The board expressed appreciation for the partnership and discussed air traffic control challenges and the need for a permanent tower at Stead Airport.
• Legislative Session Bill Draft Requests (Item 11): Staff provided an update on potential BDRs for the 2027 legislative session, including insurance reforms (BDR 456 and 451), reimbursement for county billing errors, and election recount provisions. The board reaffirmed prior direction and approved the staff recommendation.
• Board Appointments (Item 12): The board approved reassignments of commissioners to boards and commissions, including Commissioner Andriola to the Community Homelessness Advisory Board and Western Nevada Development District, Commissioner Hill to the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency Governing Board, and Vice Chair Garcia to the Washoe County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee.
• Equine Facility Code Amendments (Item 25): First reading of an ordinance to create three tiers of equine facilities (small, medium, large) with scaled permitting requirements, reduced landscaping, and allowance for temporary bathroom facilities. The ordinance also makes agricultural parking and landscaping improvements. Set for second reading on September 15, 2026.
• Congested Shooting Area Ordinance (Item 26): First reading of an ordinance to replace metes and bounds descriptions of congested areas with maps adopted by resolution. The change will make it easier to update boundaries in the future. Two specific areas near Golden Eagle Regional Park and North Sun Valley will be expanded. Set for second reading on September 15, 2026.
• Heat Mitigation Plan (Item 27): Public hearing on a master plan amendment to create a heat mitigation plan in response to AB 96. The plan updates the conservation element of Envision Washoe 2040, adds policies on extreme heat, and incorporates data from the 2024 heat mapping campaign. Approved unanimously.
• Woodland Village Town Center Development Agreement (Item 28): Second reading and adoption of a development agreement extending the final map deadline to May 20, 2028, for 69 remaining lots. Approved.
• Ridges at Hunter Creek Development Agreement (Item 29): Second reading and adoption of a development agreement extending the final map deadline to June 6, 2028, for 32 remaining lots. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Interlocal Agreement with TMFPD: Approved unanimously (Item 8).
• Consent Agenda: Approved as a block with one item (10.F.5) pulled for later consideration.
• Legislative BDRs: Approved staff recommendation to reaffirm prior direction and pursue certain bill draft requests.
• Board Appointments: Approved reassignments as described.
• Equine Facility Ordinance: Introduced on first reading (Bill 1958); second reading set for September 15, 2026.
• Congested Shooting Area Ordinance: Introduced on first reading (Bill 1959); second reading set for September 15, 2026.
• Heat Mitigation Plan: Master plan amendment adopted.
• Woodland Village Town Center DA: Ordinance adopted.
• Ridges at Hunter Creek DA: Ordinance adopted.
• Declaration of Emergency: The county manager's August 10 declaration of emergency for the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires was ratified (Item 10.H.8, approved in consent).
• Initiation of Code Changes: Approved to initiate amendments to reduce board meetings to two per month (Item 10.H.9) and to revise food expenditure limits (Item 10.H.10).
• Opioid Abatement Funding: Approved a subgrant to RISE ($1,288,670) for the CrossRoads Families project and a transfer of WOARF funds ($299,767.13) for program evaluation.
• Lease Amendment: Approved Amendment #2 to the lease for Men's CrossRoads at 777 W. 5th Street, extending through 2045 with 3% annual escalation.
• Security Services Contract: Approved Amendment #5 with Allied Universal Security Services for $5,474,639.
• Inmate Medical Services: Approved the first amendment to the NaphCare contract for medical services at the detention facility and juvenile center.