Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
What Happened
Reno City Council held its January 24, 2024 meeting to approve budget adjustments, new city positions, and a street vacation for a county project expansion. The council voted on roughly 20 items across about 2.5 hours.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — $12.4 million in general fund budget increases for Q3-Q4 2023 — 7-0 — Funds cover $4.2 million excess from prior year, $5.2 million in ARPA revenue replacement, $2.5 million in grants, and $476,000 in higher-than-expected revenues. Money goes to Public Safety Center completion, Moana Springs aquatic center repairs, severance payouts, and new positions.
APPROVED — Street and alley vacation for County CARS campus expansion — Unanimous — Allows project to proceed with new Resource Center, supportive housing, and maintained access points on A-Line Drive.
APPROVED — 8 new firefighter positions funded through federal reimbursement — Vote count not recorded — Positions are cost-neutral because federal agencies directly reimburse the city for emergency services provided.
APPROVED — 6 paramedic positions for Fire Department — Vote count not recorded — Fully funded by $7.3 million GEMT program (Medicaid reimbursement for overhead costs). Revenue already exceeds total cost.
APPROVED — Zachary Bolton to Ward 3 council seat — Unanimous
APPROVED — Addison Gnon to Youth City Council — Unanimous
Debated But Not Resolved
4 new street maintenance worker positions funded by fuel tax — Council Member Breus said fuel tax was historically designated for capital projects only, not personnel. He wants historical data on fuel tax trends and policy discussion before approving. Next step: Staff will provide fuel tax data in this month's quarterly report; broader policy discussion deferred.
$4 million in severance payouts (police and fire) — Council Member Breus questioned why amounts reached record levels. City Manager explained generational retirements with large accrued leave banks. Breus requested individual names, averages, and years of service. Next step: Staff to provide written backup data.
Sewer fund $150 million opening balance and rate increases — Council member questioned why ratepayers get annual increases while fund has large reserves. Staff said $150 million projects to $31 million ending balance because funds are committed to capital projects and maintenance. Next step: Council wants detailed 10-year trend analysis.
Public Safety Center and Moana Springs aquatic center cost overruns — Council Member Breus requested a dashboard showing costs and spending to date on both projects due to ongoing overruns. Next step: Dashboard not provided; request remains pending.
What to Watch
$12.4 million — General fund budget augmentation — Fund balance true-up, ARPA replacement, grants, higher revenues
$5.2 million — ARPA revenue replacement for one-time expenses — ARPA funds
$4.2 million — Fund balance true-up (prior year excess) — General Fund
$2.5 million — Grants and reimbursements for operations — Department grants
$1.6 million — Sewer fund equipment and positions — Sewer Fund
$180,000 — Park field maintenance equipment — Reno Sports Association
$50,000 — Park bathroom maintenance — Reno Sports Association
Fuel tax policy — Council will decide whether fuel tax revenue can pay for personnel positions or must stay reserved for capital projects. Affects four new maintenance jobs approved today.
Sewer rate discussion — Council wants detailed 10-year reserve analysis to justify continued rate increases while fund maintains $31 million ending balance.
Community Activity Center status — Public speakers requested council agendize transparent discussion on potential sale or development of CAC facility within next two weeks.
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