Reno City Council

Senate Bill 176 (body camera mandate) — Disagreement over whether municipal court marshals are included in the mandate and how to fund it. City proposed expanding the e-911 surcharge from 25 cents to $1.00 per phone line to cover an estimated $600,000 annual cost for Reno Police Department cameras, but bill sponsor opposed adding a two-thirds vote requirement for guaranteed county funding. Next: Staff will follow up with bill sponsor on marshal inclusion and seek potential language amendments.

Property tax relief (Assembly Bill 43 and Senate Joint Resolution 14) — Two competing bills address the property tax cap issue differently. AB 43 died in committee and would require a two-thirds vote. SJR 14 would reset depreciation upon sale and implement 3% caps but requires passage this session and next session before going to voters in 2020. Next: Both may resurface during budget closing process.

Charter bill ward-only voting provisions — Senate Government Affairs committee members expressed concerns about ward-only voting rules and whether voters received full information in 2012. Next: Further work needed before advancement.

Grand Army Republic Cemetery bill — Council questioned whether legislation is necessary given no prior contact from bill sponsor to city staff. Council members also noted uncertainty about property ownership. Next: Council committed to meeting with sponsor and constituents but stated the city would likely be unable to commit parks funds and resources.

Senate Bill 24 (vacant property registration) — Multiple stakeholder meetings with business groups, chambers, lenders, realtors, and banks could not reach consensus on language that goes beyond existing ordinances. Bill was universally opposed. Next: Revisit during interim for potential progress in 2019.

No new spending items over $50,000 were approved.

Body camera funding (SB 176) — City awaits clarification on whether the e-911 surcharge will expand to $1.00 per line (generating $6.4 million countywide annually) and whether this will fund police, sheriff, and Sparks cameras.

Property tax constitutional amendment (SJR 14) — Requires identical passage in two consecutive sessions before going to voters. Timeline matters because council expressed concern about the slow constitutional amendment process.

Cemetery bill meeting — Council will meet with Assemblywoman and constituents to clarify property ownership and prior contact attempts before determining next steps.