The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. County Financial Outlook shows signs of flat growth: Budget Manager Lori Cooke presented a status report on the previous county budget and the Financial Outlook on the next fiscal year. Washoe County has been cautiously watching financial trends over the last few years and preparing for a dip in income and shoring up resources for the coming years. In doing so, General Fund revenue for fiscal year 24 ended 2.4 percent higher than budgeted, expenditures were 1.6 percent lower than budgeted, and other uses and transfers were 3.6 percent lower than budgeted.
The outlook for FY26 shows inflation exceeding GDP growth in the coming fiscal year. Unemployment will continue to be monitored – Nevada is currently experiencing the highest unemployment in the country – and local governments are facing uncertainty due to global and national economic conditions. In Washoe County, local sales tax revenue is expected to remain flat, and the five-year forecast shows a 5 percent General Fund deficit each year through FY30.
To mitigate the potential downturn, Washoe County departments have been instructed to submit net-zero budgets, and additional personnel requests will not be entertained. Requests that results in cost savings and resource-sharing will be top consideration. Salary savings from un-filled positions will not be available for other uses
The County Manager’s Recommended Budget will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners on April 15, with final adoption of the budget on May 20.
2. Board conducts public hearing on land lease to First Tee Northern Nevada: The Board approved the lease of 39.05 acres of land owned by Washoe County through a Recreation and Public Purpose Act patent through BLM to First Tee Northern Nevada. BLM agreed to allow Washoe County to lease the land to First Tee to operate Wildcreek Golf Course. The lease agreement details that First Tee is required to operate the golf course for charitable and affordable golf for the community, and if the property ever ceases being used as such, it will automatically revert to Washoe County. The Board previously approved an intent to lease the land in December, and this action made the lease official.
3. Board appoints members to Senior Advisory Board and Law Library Board: The Board of County Commissioners appointed four members to the Senior Advisory Board:
- Benecia Price to a four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2028;
- Edward Lamb to a partial term ending Aug. 31, 2025;
- Craig Bronzan as an alternate for a partial term ending Aug. 31, 2025;
- Joellen Keil as an alternate for a partial term ending June 30, 2025.
The Board also appointed Michael V. Kattelman to serve as an attorney member, and Aurora Partridge to serve as a non-attorney member on the Law Library Board of Trustees. Both appointments are for two-year terms.
4. Proceeds from Hammer & Nails Open benefit foster and adoption services: The Board voted to accept a donation of approximately $9,100 from FTFT LLC, Hammer & Nails Regional to Washoe County HSA Child Protective Services. Funds were generated through the Hammer & Nails Open, a charity golf tournament held October 4, 2024, at Silver Oak Golf Club. Washoe County Human Services Agency was one of multiple recipients for this charity tournament benefitting foster families and youth. This donation will support Have a Heart Washoe, which provides safe and stable foster and adoptive homes for children and teens.
5. Board approves District Special Funds: The Board approved allocations from Commissioner Jeanne Herman’s District 5 Special Fund totaling $65,000 to various nonprofit organizations:
- $10,000 to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada to support the program’s efforts to provide food for families in need throughout the region, specifically through the organization’s Mobile Harvest program.
- $10,000 to the Washoe County Human Service Agency to support the Men’s CrossRoads program.
- $10,000 to Safe Embrace to support stabilization and relocation services for victims of domestic violence.
- $10,000 to Nevada Veterans Coalition to support the mission of honoring all veterans’ past, present and future.
- $5,000 to the Great Basin Chaplain Corps to support the program’s caregiving support.
- $5,000 to the Circle of Life Hospice Foundation to support the program’s caregiving support.
- $5,000 to The Salvation Army to support meeting the needs of Washoe County residents struggling with food and housing insecurity and those impacted by the traumas of human trafficking.
- $5,000 to the Veterans Upward Bound Program at Truckee Meadows Community College to support educational and career success for U.S. military veterans.
- $5,000 to Washoe County 4-H Youth Development Program of the University of Nevada Extension to support the Washoe County 4-H Large Livestock and Horse Programs.
