Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board

Stadium funding source — Council members disagreed on whether the city should pay $1 million per year from the general fund versus using other mechanisms like ticket surcharges ($1.25-$2.00 per ticket) or allowing the stadium to raise ticket prices independently. Staff confirmed the stadium operator can levy a ticket tax up to 11% without further approval, and can raise prices without council approval.

Risk allocation — Opponents (including casino representatives) argued the deal structure is one-sided: the city commits to paying $1 million annually for 30 years, but the developer can be released from all obligations if the city misses one payment. The team's current 15-year commitment creates relocation risk. No agreement on whether to require a 30-year team commitment or stadium ownership transfer without developer reimbursement rights.

Return on investment — Public commenters cited American Enterprise Institute research showing public subsidies of 20% or more of ballpark costs typically don't generate sufficient tax revenue to break even. Council members questioned whether declining Reno Aces attendance makes the deal viable.

Deal complexity and transparency — Council member raised concerns that the previous council executed a "limited guarantee" in November that the current council had voted to deny. Staff cited litigation concerns and declined to give legal opinion on record. Mayor said individual meetings with Nevada Land principals would be scheduled.

Proposed ticket tax details — Council requested staff research the statutory scope and flexibility of the $2 ticket tax the legislature approved, and clarify whether a $0.62 per-ticket tax would generate sufficient revenue ($600,000 annually on 400,000 tickets) to cover the $1 million obligation.

$1,000,000 — Proposed annual city subsidy to Reno Aces baseball operations (30-year commitment totaling $30,000,000) — City general fund [NOT APPROVED; deferred for further review]

January 31, 2013 deadline: Secondary agreements (stadium authority agreement, management agreement, trust agreement) must be finalized or the restructuring deal reverts to current status. Council must decide before then whether to commit $1 million annually.

Ticket tax decision: Staff research on ticket tax flexibility will determine if a user-based funding model can replace general fund spending. This directly affects whether council approves the $1 million annual commitment.

Nevada Land meetings: Mayor will schedule individual council member meetings with developer principals. Public transparency concerns exist about whether these should occur in public council session instead.