Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Monday, May 13, 2013
What Happened
Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board met May 13, 2013, for a budget workshop covering the fiscal year 2013-14 budget with approximately 20 major agenda items and public comment.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Five police officer positions funded through federal COPS grant (75% federal, 25% local match) — Unanimous — City will add officers over three years; general fund absorbs $210,000-$225,000 annually starting fiscal year 2015.
APPROVED — Council members give back approximately 3% of compensation through salary reductions or allowance offsets — Unanimous — Aligns council sacrifice with employee reductions elsewhere in budget.
APPROVED — Redirect $7,000 Youth City Council budget to senior services — Vote count not specified — Eliminates youth program; schools now provide civic education previously offered by the council.
APPROVED — Leave arts funding as proposed and work with arts commission on priorities — Staff to coordinate with Arts Commission on $130,000 grants, $16,000 special events, and $15,000 Art Town sponsorship despite $25,000 cut to Our Town and $10,000 cut to Pioneer Center.
CONTINUED — Neighborhood Advisory Boards (NABs) disbanding and Community Pride Grant reallocation — Decision postponed to May 22 meeting; NAB chair requested further delay pending community input on how to redirect $200,000+ previously allocated to boards.
Debated But Not Resolved
Police staffing restoration — Council member wanted commitment to fill 91 officer vacancies lost since 2009; Police Chief indicated 4 positions held pending COPS grant and proposed "site to tow" revenue program — No vote taken.
Nevada League of Cities membership ($26,500 annual dues) — Council member questioned return on investment; another argued for coordinated lobbying with other cities — Decision deferred pending presentation from League leadership later this summer after legislative session ends.
Sky Tavern funding ($62,000-$65,000) — One member proposed moving funds to contingency pending July federal grant decision; another opposed, citing youth program continuity — No resolution; direction pending July grant outcome.
Traffic calming projects ($50,000) — Council member proposed moving funding to Regional Transportation Commission or integrating into neighborhood planning rather than standalone project — Not resolved.
City Attorney outside legal counsel contingency fund — Council member proposed reducing unused outside counsel funds ($2.6 million line item) to boost contingency; City Attorney argued necessity for civil rights cases at $250-500/hour rates — Not resolved.
What to Watch
$144,000,000 — General obligation bonds outstanding — City debt as of June 30, 2012.
$347,000,000 — Total Reno budget — General fund and other sources.
$870,000 — Vehicle replacement freeze — General fund (freeing dollars for other uses).
NAB decision (May 22 deadline) — Council will vote on disbanding Neighborhood Advisory Boards and redirecting $200,000+ Community Pride Grant funding. Community groups actively pushing for postponement.
Sky Tavern project (July decision) — Federal grant decision due in July determines whether council keeps $62,000-$65,000 in Parks department budget or moves to contingency.
League of Cities presentation (summer) — New League executive director presenting strategic value; council will decide whether $26,500 annual membership continues.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.