Reno City Council
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
What Happened
The Reno City Council held its May 2, 2017 budget meeting covering police staffing, economic development funding, administration spending, and discretionary council funds. Council addressed roughly 20 major items with multiple unresolved questions deferred to the new city manager or police chief.
Key Decisions
CONTINUED — Police staffing: Six new permanent positions (5 officers, 1 sergeant) starting January 1 and July 1 — vote count unknown — Police department seeks flexibility to hire through overhire authority; council split on whether to fund additional overhires beyond six positions or find savings elsewhere; decision deferred pending police chief input and potential use of surplus blight funds
CONTINUED — EDON $100,000 membership contribution — vote count unknown — One council member questioned if organization has become "overtly political"; council agreed to request EDON presentation before deciding on funding rather than voting to cut contribution now
CONTINUED — Downtown maintenance organization funding — approximately $538,000 approved from general fund and room tax — three separate appropriations ($39,000, $312,000, $187,000) with additional sources and parameters still being finalized
APPROVED — General fund contingency reserve — $1,000,000 from general fund surplus — provides emergency funding buffer
APPROVED — Nevada League of Cities membership — $40,000 — council supported continued membership for collective advocacy
CONTINUED — Council discretionary donation funds — vote count unknown — Council directed staff to restore fund and return May 9 with guidelines for allocation; prior level was $70,000 total but currently reduced to $20,000
Debated But Not Resolved
Police overhire funding — Council split on whether six new positions require additional overhire funding ($600,000). Some want to use vacancy savings or reallocate 12 officers from downtown special assessment district; others questioned whether funds can be found elsewhere. Next: Police chief to present detailed staffing plan.
Staff reclassifications authority — Councilwoman Breuss wants council to ratify position changes; others prefer department heads maintain flexibility within budgets. Next: New city manager to weigh in on policy starting next Monday.
Administration budget variance — Department overspent $600,000 last year; staff says some was one-time costs. Next: Finance to provide detailed breakdown at next meeting.
OCCC director position downgrade — Council wants new city manager input before finalizing. Next: New manager begins Monday; decision deferred pending their assessment.
Motel inspection program — Disagreement over whether to design program parameters first or commit two positions immediately. Next: Detailed departmental discussion to follow.
What to Watch
$1,000,000 — General fund contingency — general fund surplus
$538,000 — Downtown maintenance organization (three appropriations) — general fund and room tax
$150,000 — Building Enterprise fund Title 18 code update — Building Enterprise fund
Police staffing decision: Council returns with full staffing plan and potential overhire funding solutions. This affects department size for next fiscal year and community coverage levels.
EDON presentation: Organization scheduled to present before council decides on $100,000 membership contribution. Outcome may shift city economic development strategy.
New city manager input: Starting Monday, new manager will weigh in on staff reclassification authority, OCCC position structure, and organizational policies — multiple budget decisions are awaiting their recommendations.
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