Reno City Council Special Meeting
Monday, March 18, 2024
What Happened
City Council held a special budget workshop to provide direction on the FY 2024-2025 budget and reviewed spending priorities. The meeting included approximately 30 agenda items covering the General Fund, enterprise funds, fee schedules, and Redevelopment Agency plans.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Direction to staff to develop FY 2024-2025 budget incorporating council feedback — 7-0 — Staff will return May 1st with revised budget reflecting council priorities on public safety, parks maintenance, urban forestry, and fire station project funding.
APPROVED — Moving code enforcement and fire fines from Reno Municipal Code to fee schedule — Council consensus — Allows annual fee reviews without changing ordinance; must be adopted by May 22nd.
CONTINUED — $10 million in anticipated general fund surplus allocation — No vote taken — Council indicated portion should fund fire station site work; exact amounts deferred until surplus is confirmed.
CONTINUED — Parks maintenance funding and deferred backlog — No vote taken — $700,000 annual allocation unchanged; council flagged this as priority for future consideration.
CONTINUED — OPEB trust funding level — No vote taken — Current proposal: $1 million annually (reaches 60% funding by 2038); council to decide between $1 million, $2 million, or $4 million options.
CONTINUED — Individual Residential Parking permit signage fee increase — No vote taken — Staff proposed $350 (from $35); Council Member Martinez requested stepped implementation approach.
CONTINUED — Fire station headquarters project and RDA plan amendment — No vote taken — Staff directed to analyze RDA project funding mechanisms and return with detailed financing plan.
Debated But Not Resolved
Sales tax revenue projections — Council Member Martinez questioned why Northern Nevada projects 6% growth when statewide is 1.8%; staff explanation incomplete at transcript end.
Council-driven vs. staff-driven budget — Mayor Shivley wants council priorities to drive final budget rather than staff recommendations; staff to document stated priorities and return May 1st.
Police officer shortages — Council Member Reese expressed ongoing concern about understaffing in growing city; no resolution on new positions identified.
Property tax allocation equity — City of Reno receives 26 cents per property tax dollar vs. county's 38 cents despite larger population; identified as state legislative issue requiring action.
Parking enforcement sustainability — Council Member Ree questioned whether current fines cover officer costs; staff indicated fees below cost recovery level but proposed gradual increases.
Abandoned vehicle enforcement — Council raised 10-year constituent complaint about abandoned vehicles; limited by Nevada not being a title state; requires state DMV legislative action.
Code enforcement effectiveness — Council flagged hearing officer discretion to waive penalties undermines fine structure; staff flagged for future process review.
Tree canopy expansion — Council Member Ebert requested prioritizing Ward 4 (5% tree canopy) for urban forestry funding; pending budget allocation decision.
What to Watch
$40 million — Development of two parks with improved athletic fields — Public-private partnership with Reno Youth Sports Association.
$150 million — American Flats sewer project — State Revolving Loan Fund or WIFIA financing; $5.6 million annual debt service from sewer fund.
$70 million — American Flats Bond (projected 2025) — Debt issuance for sewer infrastructure.
May 1st budget presentation — Staff returns with revised budget incorporating council priorities. State property tax numbers arrive March 25th, final numbers affect all revenue projections.
April 8th special meeting (tentative) — Mayor requested additional workshop before adoption to finalize council priorities and resolve outstanding fee/funding decisions.
Fire station funding mechanism — Council directed staff to analyze RDA plan amendment needed if allocating $10 million from RDA2 surplus to fire station site work; requires legal review and board approval.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.