Reno City Council
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
What Happened
City council held a budget review meeting lasting several hours, covering the proposed $268 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2023 and staffing needs across city departments.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — General fund budget framework with $4 million increase in general capital account funding (from $2 million to $4 million annually) — vote count not recorded — allows $400,000 for building maintenance and $400,000 for park maintenance to proceed.
APPROVED — 7% increase to services and supplies budgets across departments, plus 10% increase to workers compensation and fleet fund annual funding — vote count not recorded — increases operational spending to handle inflation and current needs.
APPROVED — Fire apparatus medium-term obligations payoff of $4.5 million from general fund using one-time revenue — vote count not recorded — eliminates future debt service costs estimated at $3.5 million next year.
CONTINUED — Council member donations and discretionary travel funds consolidation ($30,000 per member combining $20,000 donations + $10,000 travel) — vote count not recorded — existing resolution must be reviewed before implementation proceeds.
CONTINUED — Nevada League of Cities membership dues ($42,000 annually) — council requested summary of bills the organization was asked to bring forward and their success — final vote deferred to May budget session.
CONTINUED — Western Nevada Development District dues increase from $5,000 to $15,000 annually — council divided on whether organization's $5 million grant for sewer rebuild justifies the increase — decision pending May vote.
Debated But Not Resolved
Fire apparatus financing approach — Councilman Breck noted city borrowed for apparatus, paid it off in year three, and expressed concern that sales tax revenue (38% of general fund) carries more burden than property tax (26%), citing 2008-2011 recession risk — staff offered no resolution; flagged for ongoing monitoring.
Outside counsel hiring authority — Councilman Reece objected to outside law firms hired without council vote, citing charter requirement for six-sevenths vote approval — City Attorney Hall clarified hiring was only for investigations, not legal advice, but council requested formal budgeted process and decision-making framework — to be established in future.
Sewer rate study — Councilwoman Brekhus stated connection fees have been flat since 2014-2015 and should be indexed to inflation (estimated 34% higher now) — Finance Department completed comprehensive fee schedule study this week — workshop discussion scheduled May 3-5.
Fund balance target — Council member questioned whether $4 million surplus should increase general fund reserve from 14% to 16% or allocate more to staffing recovery — Staff cautioned maintaining reserves due to inflation and economic uncertainty — decision pending.
What to Watch
$4,500,000 — Fire apparatus medium-term obligation payoff — General fund/one-time revenues
$268,000,000 — Proposed general fund budget for fiscal year 2023 — General fund (budgeted revenues)
$400,000 — Building maintenance — General capital account
$400,000 — Park maintenance — Parks capital fund
May 3-5 Budget Study Sessions — Council will review enterprise funds, capital improvement plan project selection, and finalize general fund decisions. Sewer rate study results and Western Nevada Development District dues increase will be voted on.
Outside Counsel Process — Staff must establish formal budgeted authorization process for hiring outside law firms and investigative services, with clear council voting requirements.
Civil Service Hiring Reform — Council requested dedicated meeting to address department red tape, timeline delays, and position reclassification procedures under new civil service leadership.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.