[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6314788,"mediaKeyId","2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6","parentId",2382544,"title","Sparks to open Black Hills Dog Park, replace turf at Golden Eagle and expand public-art signal boxes","audioSeconds",1952,"startMs",1282000,"endMs",3234000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6&start=1282&end=3234","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6/thumbnail_1282000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314788/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-to-open-Black-Hills-Dog-Park-replace-turf-at-Golden-Eagle-and-expand-public-art-signal-boxes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314788-62c970dd25ff5f3024636c99fb0a5494/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181971&Signature=dCBAmJ0PasbmQlzeVwCz2~A0cVv11lnYzb3imTf7d2y2ha3Edrfp4q5Q6-Plj5z10paPOQiPVeHWTuWtOlYM3dWJFCMf8nQXKxCtTwkYbq4tU65vs6HFFSVmY-5hSt2j~iSALASlC7z-5iXRQl53aHddqT~-3Sz-0avPaWvU0~hcg2RXyiC1Glf6U0mUQLTIrboBp2C2CK42DQ-j-h6A2ZpsOsylg9iSuYuszfR02cRcTIRLoeYn1pP3S5cH45Ojzn7-RuHbh9XMveMyi5s0pkUrvz7ObF8eu3gQDNm62RaxQjdV7jur4TVQ3Cbje5NtC0yf~drRg7R25I3OblQaxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sparks, NV","date","2025-02-24T18:05:52Z","article","Mayor Ed Lawson highlighted parks, recreation and arts investments that officials say aim to expand inclusive programming and public space improvement.

Lawson said Sparks has more than 60 parks and called Golden Eagle Regional Park the community’s \"crown jewel.\" The city replaced outfields 10, 13 and 14 at Golden Eagle last year at a cost of $1,200,000, \"utilizing licensing fees from marijuana businesses,\" the mayor said, and noted the turf replacement plan runs through 2028.

The two-acre Black Hills Dog Park in the Foothills at Wingfield Springs is slated to open this spring and will include shade structures, walking paths, dog play equipment, fitness stations, picnic tables and benches. Lawson also noted new play equipment installed at Imoni Park and the success of inclusive programs such as Leisure Without Limits, weekly adaptive activities, and the Mark Wellman Adventure Day and Abilities Expo; he credited a $125,000 grant for a public-art sculpture that will be installed on Victorian Square following resident input through the \"Together We See Sparks\" creative-placemaking process.

The arts program painted signal boxes along Prater Way and Audie Boulevard last year; Lawson said 10 boxes were completed and the city plans to paint 20 more signal boxes in the coming year. He said the program is popular with artists and that the painted boxes have experienced low levels of tagging since installation.

Lawson also mentioned the Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund and noted a tree-distribution program (Tremendous Sparks) in partnership with Moana Nursery that provided 300 trees to residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sparks State of the City Address 2025 | February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Ed Lawson announced a spring opening for the two-acre Black Hills Dog Park, replacement of multiple artificial turf outfields at Golden Eagle Regional Park at a cost of $1.2 million funded by marijuana licensing fees, and plans to add 20 more painted signal boxes after a successful pilot.","taxTitle","Sparks, Washoe County, Nevada","taxId",3873,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314792,"Sparks secures state and federal funding for affordable housing, shelter services and pedestrian upgrades",144,2492000,2636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6&start=2492&end=2636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6/thumbnail_2492000.jpg","/articles/6314792/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-secures-state-and-federal-funding-for-affordable-housing-shelter-services-and-pedestrian-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314792-3d2cd008b6b865dd84e9af3653e8fcda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181971&Signature=CYD~jr6jAdkZ9PYNMPS5T3OwJgp4PBoGO1WnjV42C9DRBJioupEk8r~c529y5iphe1kyh5unulGZyEE2hDU6NKRxCTqXwHMGbI-9IA2BDV1sV8mPDkEhrDNbHIJ409umvT3il1jpxsJNVRT13gRPOuzLhScCRJxtWjW2dDOfCc8hwVjFs1-CsnK2RsIq6ashUVsQZVUIRC0MgfPlK18Q6iGT5BTh~F~HdgiI4FaWRBIrkiF1O1y4rr-XhA3F~fPj3k3KWpX7uXqC0WH8FA9kbNVmd1sm2Ow85t1a9~dvKZpqIwb0iv03eu5CD6Pd7usW032nSVxzjL2ZbHKSlScUgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sparks officials said the city has advanced multiple housing and community-service efforts after securing state and federal funding.

Mayor Ed Lawson said the Home Means Nevada program provided $2,800,000 in funding to purchase two parcels that the city intends to develop into affordable housing. Lawson described the purchases as \"a small but important step in addressing the housing challenges we face.\"

The mayor credited state-level rental assistance created by AB 396 (2023) with helping 299 Sparks households in 2024 remain housed after financial hardship. The city also awarded community development block grant funds — nearly $77,000 in fiscal year 2023–24 and about $87,000 in fiscal year 2024–25 — to support Eddie House, which provides shelter and services to homeless youth in Washoe County.

For broader community services, Lawson highlighted a $4,000,000 Federal Community Project Funding award (CPF) for the \"Audi Project,\" a collaboration with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and The Children's Cabinet to develop a community center and resource hub at Audi Boulevard and Sullivan Lane. The planned hub is intended to provide affordable child care, a community food pantry, workforce development training, meeting space and wraparound case management.

Lawson also said the city received more than $1,300,000 in federal CPF funds for the Kate Smith Pedestrian Rehabilitation Project, which will improve curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveway approaches and ADA ramps near Kate Smith Elementary School; the project is planned to begin this spring. No formal council action was reported during the address related to new program rules; officials described funding awards and planned uses.","Mayor Ed Lawson said the city secured $2.8 million through Home Means Nevada to purchase two parcels for affordable housing, assisted 299 households with rental aid tied to AB 396, awarded CDBG funds to Eddie House, and won federal CPF grants totaling $4 million and $1.3 million for a community hub and pedestrian rehabilitation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314796,"NDOT’s $66 million Pyramid Highway project nears completion; Sparks pilots smart traffic signals",253,2217000,2470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6&start=2217&end=2470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","/articles/6314796/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/NDOTs-66-million-Pyramid-Highway-project-nears-completion-Sparks-pilots-smart-traffic-signals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314796-f2930e09bc721f5da0e9c4e0b9d281d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181971&Signature=ODkIJl-SY7L8h9YUznz2DAwYCEFaWrh1411BJXJa6eutao2b1x0dxvvNFzOgUBlZh~5zyBdy41Bug9EIcud-swcX~jwJ6k~saaDoSL0IbW-UhWMY8o1VQhR~ADY23wUBf4Odra4~9M-lTN0PwU3A56DQLn~1NYj9h1oZz9CZqjwSOFfqrYdJxjm8IMZpt~8-9yzOhXnjlPWayyUDD9~JxPqVtmUJHMBWfrRleOWWGyedD67l0R97Me3Ipd6ON0b~ADFTdAYWx51e9cJwp8InhS52Cu3YQBfhteZVNsJHkf9zTyOd7WIA21H1AgvP918hrKgELQa1VS-uw7jqjcRTWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Diane Vanderwell said the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Pyramid Highway reconstruction — a project she described at roughly $66,000,000 — is almost complete and includes widening, a 10-foot shared-use path, bike lanes, raised medians, smart signals and improved lighting and landscaping.

\"NDOT's 66000000 dollar project has really transformed Pyramid Highway,\" Council member Diane Vanderwell said, describing lane widening from four to six lanes in places and sections that will be rebuilt to improve traffic flow and safety.

Mayor Ed Lawson and staff also highlighted several other corridor and traffic projects: the Audi Wells project, a 3.2-mile corridor transformation handled by the RTC; the creation of Special Improvement District No. 1 near the Five Ridges community to finance Highland Ranch Parkway upgrades; and a Regional Trail Connectivity Project that used about $80,000 in Transportation Alternatives Program funds from NDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to add a protected pedestrian crossing on Wingfield Hills Road.

The city has piloted a real-time traffic-signal system with the Regional Transportation Commission that dynamically adjusts signal timing using live data; Lawson said the system will shift lights on Sparks Boulevard during incidents on Pyramid Highway to improve alternate-route flow and could be expanded if successful. Work also included ADA upgrades at two intersections and a multi-phase Sparks Boulevard improvement to expand to three lanes in each direction while monitoring wetlands impacted by the project under an agreement with the RTC.

Public-works metrics offered by Lawson said more than 930,000 square feet of roadway received preventative maintenance and more than 160,000 square feet of roadway were rehabilitated last year; existing signage and striping were also addressed. A separate legislative step was reported: the council unanimously approved a 2025 bill draft request asking the Nevada Legislature to consider amending state law to allow construction of a toll road from La Posada Drive to USA Parkway; Lawson framed the toll-road proposal as a response to congestion and long-term access to the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center.","Council member Diane Vanderwell and Mayor Ed Lawson described a nearly completed NDOT-led Pyramid Highway reconstruction (about $66 million) that widens lanes, adds bike lanes and a 10-foot shared-use path; the city is also expanding corridor upgrades, a Sparks Boulevard widening and a smart-signal pilot with the RTC.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314799,"Sparks expands emergency response, adds digital-evidence K9 and new ambulance service",359,1703000,2062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6&start=1703&end=2062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6/thumbnail_1703000.jpg","/articles/6314799/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-expands-emergency-response-adds-digital-evidence-K9-and-new-ambulance-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314799-a08abded06892ddc50c07cf0aa0088f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181971&Signature=iZ6V6yaXDEhhfNKGKgduo8CDVDanjd5~LqhF65tx7LEPXx5W7fDdqKkGsPbJbTGsF4wqqBxQDMPKVPGCFUrmQB0815FRNVNPEyeafNSgxavmoqTNHjovYTh-yUw22ef9Or5HB7HhKxugU1r1soOCjSHI3TlILr47YjbFmpYIDwg7P25hvvKMzaw-fIEyG5f1~jFdMVbfBkh~9zI7mYZcy36KEY~3qQ3Blm70fFBCNyorAIrHm7p1cgUuOoSW8jnfv6VgvWOsV6w-bRFhM4pijCK5ejmq1-iQ9tnC0t~vXOwlSXp3XpysTDHVV2v4ejLCrBpOSJmPTeAPS5uQAaFDcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sparks officials said the city has expanded emergency services with new equipment, personnel training and a planned fire station, while adding investigative tools intended to accelerate crime resolution.

Mayor Ed Lawson said the City Council approved issuing up to $15,000,000 in bonds to build and equip Fire Station 6 in Spanish Springs; the facility is intended to reduce emergency response times in North Sparks and was scheduled to be operational later this year.

Councilman Joe Rodriguez, who spoke about emergency medical services at a city fire station, said the city purchased two ambulances and launched Sparks Medic 51 out of Fire Station 5. \"I firmly believe that this is the most impactful service enhancement in decades,\" Councilman Joe Rodriguez said, adding that the unit averages about three patient transports per day.

The police department reported increased enforcement and investments in technology. Lawson said the department issued more than 6,000 traffic citations and warnings last year and used a $58,850 grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Assistance to purchase and install 15 FLOC license-plate readers across the city. The mayor also highlighted the ongoing use of ShotSpotter gunfire-detection technology and described several outreach teams—the Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST), the HOPE homeless outreach team, and the Neighborhood Police Unit—as part of a broader public-safety strategy.

Councilwoman Charlene Bybee introduced \"Bandit,\" which she described as \"the first electronic storage detection canine in the whole state of Nevada.\" Bybee said Bandit can locate electronic devices that store data—cell phones, USBs, SIM cards and similar items—and also serves as a therapy dog in difficult interviews with child victims.

Lawson listed additional fire-department investments: 13 new firefighters graduated from the city’s academy, the council authorized purchases including three pumper trucks and a brush truck, and grants helped fund an ambulance, EMS training mannequins, protective clothing and training for 10 personnel to attend paramedic school. The inter-hospital coordinating council provided two Lucas mechanical CPR devices.

Officials also said Sparks provided mutual aid to other states during major fires last year. No vote or ordinance was cited during the address for these actions; most items reported were existing commitments, purchased equipment, or completed/ongoing programs.","Sparks leaders described several public-safety investments: a bond-funded Fire Station 6, Medic 51 ambulance service at Fire Station 5, 15 new license-plate readers, ShotSpotter coverage, and an electronic-storage detection canine named Bandit to support child-exploitation investigations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6314804,"Sparks warns of multi-million-dollar budget gap and possible layoffs",1895,1142000,3037000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6&start=1142&end=3037","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2382544-1a6990e7c07ebf9227a43bfabc621bc6/thumbnail_1142000.jpg","/articles/6314804/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-warns-of-multi-million-dollar-budget-gap-and-possible-layoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314804-ea171dcb13c628427a782ece8e8dd24b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181971&Signature=e3ccN6mWS~q9Uzll9dMeVw4o2h94u7sLFkSIx63c9DQBcC-pRK4IyBV-7tXfDx8J2UlGHgwohWCBiKzf3O9nrEpCyfr8CAMsDqG3dBl6jiXdrbM60BF7JIMidgg3t8abDEpZjus~uTO7B0n8scHzM5wnrBe90l0Q9hlphVyNTf14rTFi8Z~8S8p-CnuxycXx16OFPgUhQF2sGpvyTasrrdo3SF5H27ASAvSE1VlT4yRepwlZCksfYf3tRl8Ss80jWPNsPs9437jrdlyU3x4nzouT4CSJDaSMX848WkjafZyN9NcZtaJyupOG7BebcA7FIbYTB7ToHlWS~BQKauOK7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson said Wednesday that the city faces a structural budget deficit, reporting that fiscal year 2024 expenses outpaced revenues by $4,100,000 and fiscal year 2025 is projected to run $6,700,000 in the red.

The shortfall matters because the general fund pays for core services such as police, fire, street maintenance and parks; Lawson said the city has used reserves to bridge recent gaps but expects continuing pressure that could reduce service levels and require personnel changes.

\"We're gonna, you know, probably have some layoffs in the future,\" Mayor Ed Lawson said, describing actions the city is taking to slow expenditure growth. He told viewers the city is strategically delaying hiring for some vacant positions to conserve funds, while acknowledging those delays can affect service delivery.

Lawson also criticized the local property tax structure and tied the city’s fiscal challenge to existing tax abatements. \"We abate this around $12,000,000 and our deficit is around $12,000,000,\" he said, presenting the abatement figure alongside the cumulative deficit as context for long-term policy discussions.

City leaders held a December workshop with council members and staff to identify priorities for navigating the shortfall; Lawson named infrastructure, employees and community programs as key areas to protect while pursuing cuts. He said he does not foresee significant financial improvements in the near term and that fiscal year 2026 also looks challenging.

The finance team won an award for financial reporting — the mayor noted the city secured a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting for the 40th consecutive year — and Lawson described the effort to remain transparent about spending despite the deficit.

Next steps described by Lawson include continued internal cost-control measures and policy conversations about revenue and tax structure; specific new revenue proposals or legally binding actions were not detailed in the address.","Mayor Ed Lawson said Sparks faces a structural budget deficit — $4.1 million in FY24 and a projected $6.7 million shortfall in FY25 — and that the city is preparing hiring delays and possible layoffs while seeking cost reductions and longer-term revenue solutions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sparks to open Black Hills Dog Park, replace turf at Golden Eagle and expand public-art signal boxes

Sparks secures state and federal funding for affordable housing, shelter services and pedestrian upgrades

NDOT’s $66 million Pyramid Highway project nears completion; Sparks pilots smart traffic signals

Sparks expands emergency response, adds digital-evidence K9 and new ambulance service

Sparks warns of multi-million-dollar budget gap and possible layoffs