The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board receives update on election operations and future initiatives: Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald presented the office’s recently completed voter list maintenance efforts, noting that more than 55,000 records were moved to inactive status and approximately 25,000 inactive registrations were canceled during the off-year cycle.
McDonald also provided an update on the county’s transition to new ballot-marking devices, which have been delivered and are currently being prepared for use in the upcoming election, and invited the public to attend a hands-on showcase at the county’s new elections warehouse next week.
Emphasizing accessibility, McDonald highlighted the introduction of Nevada’s first ADA curbside voting program, which will be available at all in-person voting locations throughout the 2026 election cycle.
“The voter will vote from the comfort of their vehicle,” McDonald explained. “They will never have to leave their vehicle because of whatever circumstances may be as to why they can’t get out of their car. We will bring the vote to them.”
2. Board approves interlocal agreement between Sheriff’s Office and Reno Police Department: The City of Reno and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) entered into an interlocal agreement, ratified unanimously today by the Board of County Commissioners, to designate an acting chief of the Reno Police Department (RPD) and authorize the Washoe County Sheriff to designate members of WCSO staff to serve in other capacities.
The City of Reno requested that in light of internal issues involving senior staff at RPD that the Washoe County Sheriff designate an acting Chief of Police for the City of Reno and authorize the Washoe County Sheriff to designate members of WCSO staff to serve in other capacities on a temporary basis.
“For the community, what they need to hear is we were asked, we stepped in, that is what we do every single day,” Sheriff Darin Balaam said. “We make sure, every single day, Reno, Sparks, and Washoe, we cover each other on calls for service. We are there side by side in making sure we provide those services that our citizens expect and that we keep them safe.”
The two agencies can enter into interlocal agreements under $25,000 without approval, but as expenses for this agreement are expected to exceed that threshold – estimated up to $2 million – the Board of County Commissioners and the Reno City Council must ratify it.
“Thank you for your leadership and all the Reno Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office, everyone collaborating,” Chair Clara Andriola said. “It’s a priority, it’s public safety, and we can count on everyone working together and to help each other. We are one region.”
3. Board approves contract to develop amphitheater at Rancho San Rafael: Washoe County is moving forward on the creation of an amphitheater at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, funded by federal ARPA grants. The Board approved a contract with DOWL, LLC, for $866,000 for architectural and engineering designs and to deliver a 60 percent set of plans of full design for the project by Oct. 31, 2026. DOWL also won a previous contract to create conceptual renderings of the project.
The amphitheater will feature a 40-foot by 40-foot stage, new restrooms, and grass seating to accommodate 2,500 event attendees.
4. Board approves grant to fund Perimeter Platform: Washoe County Emergency Management launched the Perimeter Platform region-wide in May 2023 to provide real-time road closures and evacuations during emergencies. The program is funded by a grant from Department of Homeland Security. The Board approved this grant of $213,000 to fund the program through Sept. 30, 2027.
5. Board hears update on FY27 Budget: Division Director of Budget Lori Cooke presented the financial outlook that highlights the FY27 outlook and factors that potentially affect the outlook such as the Fed rate, GDP growth, tariffs, and County General Fund trends. Expenditure growth continues to outpace revenue growth, so Washoe County is taking conservative measures to focus on fiscal sustainability such as limited approvals of funding requests. The next budget presentation will be the County Manager’s Recommended Budget, brought to the Board on April 14.
6. Board reappoints Miles Kinsler to Open Space and Regional Parks Commission: The Board reappointed Miles Kinsler, representing District 5, to a four-year term on the Open Space and Regional Parks Commission. He is currently serving a partial term, which ended on March 2.
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