1. New Commission Chair and Vice-Chair elected: The Board voted to appoint Commissioner Clara Andriola as incoming chair and Commissioner Mariluz Garcia as incoming vice-chair. They will serve two-year terms in these roles, effective at the close of the meeting.
“It takes a real leader to be able to adjust and be able to really share with everyone the sentiment that we all equally care deeply about our community,” Andriola said to outgoing Chair Alexis Hill. “Kudos to your folks who raised you to be a good person and care and respect that even though we have differences, that everyone’s voice counts, and everyone’s points matter. We’ll work much better together if we recognize that.”
“I’m really excited about the future of the County,” Hill said. “I’m excited for new leadership at the county. We have a new county manager and a new deputy district attorney, and I’m just really excited about 2026.”
2. Board approves special-use permits for Iveson Ranch project in Gerlach: The Board of County Commissioners held public hearings today addressing three different components of a project on Iveson Ranch, a property of 320 acres surrounded by public land in Gerlach, ultimately voting to advance the project.
The first hearing was an appeal of the approval of a special-use permit (SUP) from the Washoe County Planning Commission granted to the applicant, BRDR Properties LLC. The Planning Commission approved the SUP at its Nov. 20, 2025, meeting, allowing a high technology industrial use type for drone research and testing, and for a private airstrip. The Burning Man Project, which has property adjacent to the Iveson Ranch property, appealed the SUP approval. The proposed SUP includes outdoor storage and includes modifications to standards relating to landscaping, parking, noise, and paving. Burning Man Project and BRDR have come to an agreement concerning a few of the conditions the Planning Commission placed on the SUP, and presented a resolution to the appeal for the Board to consider. The Board voted to uphold the Planning Commission’s approval with the modifications agreed to by both the applicant and the appellant.
In a separate hearing, heard concurrently with the first hearing, the Board of County Commissioners approved an SUP related to hazardous materials. This hazardous materials SUP includes explosives testing and storage of hazardous materials and is subject to the approval of the Board of County Commissioners.
Finally, the Board conducted a second hearing on a code amendment to establish standards for permanent employee housing in the High Desert Planning Area, which includes Gerlach. The current zoning allows for one dwelling per 40 acres, and the Board voted to amend the zone to allow a maximum of one dwelling per 5 acres with the approval of an SUP. The code amendment applicant is BRDR Properties LLC, which seeks to utilize employee housing for the Iveson Ranch project. However, this code amendment is applicable to the entirety of the High Desert Planning Area.
3. Board approves grants from Community Foundation: The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada awarded two grants to Washoe County departments.
One grant of nearly $163,000 to the Regional Behavioral Health Initiatives Fund will support the region’s efforts to build out an improved behavioral health Crisis Response System and support other regional behavioral health initiatives. The grant will support the work of a Human Services Program Specialist, a position within the Office of the County Manager that will conclude once the funding is exhausted unless alternate funding is secured.
Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space manages the 15-acre Mayberry Park on the bank of the Truckee River in west Reno. A $1.1 million Mayberry Park Watershed Protection and Public Restroom Project is underway to provide critical sanitation infrastructure to protect water quality, support public health, and enhance equitable access to the park. The Board approved a $250,000 grant from the Community Foundation, with a $62,500 county match, that will provide funding for planning, engineering, permitting and initial utility installation to accommodate a future ADA-accessible public restroom that will be constructed as funding becomes available.
4. Board approves donation of ModPod units to Safe Camp: LIT Workshop, manufacturer of ModPods, the individual housing units in place at Safe Camp, donated three new ModPod units valued at just over $58,000. The units are free-standing, locking, and climate-controlled structures with beds and shelving for residents of Safe Camp at the Nevada Cares Campus.
5. Board approves District Special Fund allocations: County Commissioners voted to approve the following allocations of their District Special Funds:
- $5,000 from District 5 to the Reno Elks Charitable Fund to support cooking classes for senior citizens focused on preparing meals on a budget;
- $2,500 from District 3 to Green Vibe World to support community outreach and cleanups along the Truckee River corridor.
6. Board proclaims January as National Radon Action Month: January is nationally recognized as Radon Action Month. Commissioner Clara Andriola read a proclamation declaring the special month in Washoe County. Radon is colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that can pose serious health risks to those exposed to it. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second leading cause among smokers, contributing to an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States. It is also connected to other health concerns such as stroke and childhood leukemia.
Testing is the only reliable method to detect elevated radon levels in homes, and this simple, low-cost process can lead to effective mitigation efforts that significantly reduce health risks and improve the safety of Nevada households. Testing kits are always available from the University of Nevada Reno, Cooperative Extension for $15, and are currently available for free through the end of February, while supplies last, in recognition of Radon Action Month.
###
