Reno City Council extends sewer fee credit ordinance amid housing development concerns

The Reno City Council meeting on March 26, 2025, focused on significant discussions regarding the extension of sewer connection fee credits and the implications for local development. The council unanimously voted to extend the current strategic priorities for one year to support the fiscal year 2026 budget process and directed staff to initiate an update of the strategic plan.

A key topic of the meeting was the proposed amendment to the Reno Municipal Code concerning sewer service fees. The amendment aimed to remove the expiration date for connection fee credits, which currently expire after five years. Council members expressed concerns about the impact of this change on development incentives and the housing crisis in the area.

Councilwoman Duer highlighted the need for a balanced approach, suggesting that while extending the sewer fee credit could support development, it should not be a blanket extension without consideration of individual projects. She emphasized the importance of retaining incentives for development while also addressing the challenges faced by businesses post-COVID-19.

The discussion revealed a divide among council members regarding the best approach to incentivize development. Some members argued for maintaining a time limit on credits to encourage timely project completion, while others supported the removal of expiration dates to provide more flexibility for developers. Vice Mayor Anderson stressed the urgency of addressing the housing shortage and the need for immediate action to facilitate development.

The council also discussed the administrative challenges of tracking expired credits and the potential for future litigation if the extension was not applied uniformly. The assistant city manager noted that while the current system requires proof of credit, extending the expiration could complicate matters for future projects.

In conclusion, the council's deliberations underscored the complexities of balancing development incentives with the need for accountability and urgency in addressing the housing crisis. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential revisions to the proposed ordinance, with a focus on finding a solution that supports both developers and the community's housing needs.