Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility Joint Coordinating Committee
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Note: This summary is based on the meeting packet (minutes and transcript were unavailable or not used).
What Happened
The Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility Joint Coordinating Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 operational budget and made staffing and leadership appointments in a meeting with nine items.
Key Decisions
• APPROVED — Fiscal Year 2027 Operational Budget — 9-0 — Budget includes $100,000 for fire mitigation, $10,000 for professional services, and a new control systems programmer position. The budget will now go to Reno and Sparks city councils for final adoption.
• APPROVED — Council Member Bybee appointment to Western Regional Water Commission — 8-0 — Bybee will represent Sparks on the commission for a two-year term.
Debated But Not Resolved
• Control systems programmer position — Member Flansberg questioned whether a new programmer could help transition from outdated programming language to modern systems. Rich Brown and Craig Frandon supported the hire, noting the newer Foxborough system works with standard programming approaches. The position was approved as part of the budget.
• Budget increases and cost pressures — Member Flansberg raised concerns about rising costs. Mr. Metzer explained chemical costs and unprecedented inflation are driving increases, but permit requirements still must be met. No alternative cost controls were proposed; the budget passed unanimously.
What to Watch
• $100,000 — Fire mitigation — FY2027 Operational Budget
• $10,000 — Professional services — FY2027 Operational Budget
For context: The committee is tracking $34.7 million in FY26 operating expenses (with $26 million spent through April 30) and $59.2 million in capital projects (with $57.3 million committed and $27.9 million spent as of May 8).
Nitrification Tower #1 Rehabilitation Project — Delayed pending information about tower process problems and alternative technologies. When staff presents findings, this will likely move forward or be redesigned.
Year 2 Manhole Rehabilitation Project — One bid received from KG Walters. The construction contract is expected before Reno and Sparks councils in June; watch for cost approval there.
FY2027 Budget adoption — Both Reno and Sparks city councils must formally approve the operational budget before it takes effect.
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