Reno City Council
Thursday, May 5, 2022
What Happened
Reno City Council held a special budget meeting on May 5, 2022, reviewing fiscal year 2023 spending totaling $8.1 million in proposed enhancements and addressing roughly 13 major topics before deferring final approval to May 18.
Key Decisions
REJECTED — $100,000 for Historic Resources Commission ($50,000 architectural survey, $50,000 technical assistance) — Vote 2-4 — Council directed city manager to determine if allocation is possible within existing budget rather than approving standalone funding.
REJECTED — Historical Resources project proposal — No vote count recorded — Council found proposal unclear and "piecemeeled together"; requested comprehensive presentation before reconsidering.
APPROVED — $8.1 million in proposed enhancements including 52 full-time positions for public safety (14), fiscal sustainability (6), infrastructure (2+), arts/parks/historical resources (3), and economic/community development (3+) — Consensus implied but not formally voted — Positions funded through general fund, building fund, and other sources.
APPROVED — $3.7 million in salary and benefits for proposed fiscal year 2023 positions — General fund — Includes police and firefighter positions from mid-year and new hires.
APPROVED — $5.3 million total debt service for fiscal year 2023 — City debt service transfer — Covers Krebs bonds ($1 million), fire apparatus bonds ($700,000), and 60 million dollar bond ($3.5 million).
CONTINUED — Fee schedule review — Council agreed current schedule needs deeper review; scheduled for May 18 adoption meeting.
Debated But Not Resolved
OPEB unfunded liability strategy — Council Member Reese questioned whether city's $147 million liability (with $17 million funded, $109 million net unfunded) should reach 80 percent funding industry standard; staff said current policy contributes 40 percent of property tax increases annually — Reese requested offline conversation with staff for projections before May 18.
C-Tax revenue projections accuracy — Councilwoman Brescoe disputed characterization of $23 million revenue increase, noting actual year-over-year increase from actuals was $5 million, making unexplained delta $18 million — Will discuss offline with staff before May 18.
Historic Resources staffing — Council advocated for dedicated person or contract to manage Historic Resources Commission for 7-8 years; staff indicated position didn't make final budget cut — Deferred to potential mid-year adjustment or next fiscal year.
Work program prioritization — Council member expressed concern that civic plaza refresh and other initiatives weren't on strategic work program — Directed to strategic planning workshop for 15-18 month plan development.
What to Watch
$8,100,000 — 52 full-time positions and one-time enhancements — General fund, building fund, other sources
$3,700,000 — Salary and benefits for 52 proposed positions — General fund
$5,300,000 — Fiscal year 2023 debt service — City debt service transfer
$2,700,000 — Fire apparatus program transfer — General fund
$2,000,000 — Events center bonds debt service — General fund
May 18 budget adoption meeting — Council will vote final budget, approve fee schedule after additional review, and sign final budget document with supplemental fund source information. Any changes require approval.
OPEB liability strategy decision — Council Member Reese is reviewing funding trajectory and 80 percent target with staff; policy decision expected after offline discussion.
Historic Resources funding reconsideration — City manager determining whether $100,000 allocation fits within existing budget; if feasible, could return to council.
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