Reno City Council Special Meeting
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
What Happened
The Reno City Council held a special meeting to review the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget framework, approving the overall direction and considering how to spend between $9 million and $11 million in one-time funds from current year savings. The council also heard Redevelopment Agency budget details and discussed district banner fees and pool membership pricing.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget development direction — 7-0 — Staff will move forward with $10 million allocated toward fire headquarters design, environmental survey, and demolition work funded through Redevelopment Agency 2.
APPROVED — $312 million general fund budget framework — 7-0 — Includes $1 million OPB trust contribution, $1 million contingency, $1.8 million public safety increase, $1.9 million parks/arts/historic resources increase, and $1.4 million infrastructure/climate spending.
CONTINUED — Pool membership fee structure — vote not held — Council wants pricing below regional market rates before final approval; staff will analyze first-year data and adjust next year.
CONTINUED — District light pole and banner permit fees (Budget Item D1) — vote not held — Wells Avenue District and Midtown representatives opposed; fees would cost nonprofit districts $35,000–$40,000 annually. Deferred to allow districts to propose alternatives.
Debated But Not Resolved
Merchant Association funding for beautification — Council member Goldhammer argued forcing merchants to fund banners and marketing is ineffective when only 30–40% participate; city should fund these instead. No resolution.
Room tax use for downtown/midtown revitalization — Mayor and Council members proposed using room tax (not general fund) to pay for banners, flags, and light poles citywide instead of passing costs to districts. Deferred pending staff analysis.
OPB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) funding strategy — Council split on whether to allocate $2 million of one-time funds to OPB trust or rely on smaller annual contributions. Staff suggested continuous funding prevents balance sheet liability growth. Unresolved.
Nevada League of Cities membership — Council member challenged $50,000 annual cost, noting no measurable benefit; proposed withdrawal and redirect to River Walk improvements. Unresolved.
Time-sensitive project funding — One council member argued Cold Case investigation ($100K), Reno Works expansion ($100K), E-Waste program ($150K), and horse fencing (~$950K) should be funded from current contingency now rather than waiting for final carry-forward numbers in August.
Appeal fee affordability — Council members expressed concern that administrative appeal fees ($68) and land entitlement fees ($100) are too high for low-income residents and exceed regional norms. Proposed fee waiver policy and more frequent review (every 2–3 years, not 5). Unresolved.
What to Watch
$10,000,000 — Fire headquarters (design, environmental survey, abatement, demolition) — RDA2 fund balance
$1,800,000 — Public Safety increases — General fund
$1,900,000 — Parks, arts, historical resources increases — General fund
$1,400,000 — Infrastructure, climate, environmental sustainability — General fund
$1,000,000 — OPB trust contribution — General fund
$1,000,000 — General fund contingency — General fund
One-time funding allocation (August-September): Council will finalize how to spend $9–$11 million in current year savings once books close. High-priority items include fire HQ ($10M already approved), cold case investigation, Reno Works expansion, E-Waste program, and horse fencing.
District fees decision: Staff will return after Midtown, Wells Avenue, Riverwalk districts propose alternatives to the $35K–$40K annual permit fee proposals for banners and light poles.
Pool pricing final approval: Staff analyzing membership revenue models and regional comparisons; final rates must be finalized before facility opens.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.