Lyon County adopts tentative FY 2025–26 budgets amid revenue concerns, staff cuts and major capital plans

Lyon County commissioners on Monday reviewed and adopted tentative budgets for the coming fiscal year after a presentation from County Manager Andrew Haskin and Comptroller Josh Foley that outlined revenue softness, one-time capital spending and proposed staffing cuts.

Haskin told the board that “we saw a slight increase in revenues, but, about 2.3%,” while expenses rose faster: “expenses went up about 7.1%.” The comptroller described a package of one-time uses of fund balance and targeted vacancy eliminations to narrow a roughly $900,000 budget gap.

Why it matters: the tentative budgets set spending and tax-rate assumptions that will be finalized later this spring. Commissioners approved multiple tentative budgets and asked staff to return with final numbers and contract options; any final changes will be adopted at a later public hearing.

Revenue and pay assumptions Foley said the draft budget includes no net new positions in the governmental funds and no broad reclassifications, but it does include a 3% across‑the‑board salary-table increase “for all employees other than elected officials and, and Lyon County Sheriff Employees Association.” He noted contract provisions for represented staff and step/ longevity increases for sheriff’s employees. The presentation showed that when the various components are combined some employee groups could see total pay changes materially higher than 3%.

The draft also includes a built‑in figure tied to a state bill: “SB 116 regarding an increase in elected officials’ salaries,” Foley told the board, and staff added roughly $200,000 to the draft in case the legislation is enacted in its current form.

Slowing growth in consolidated (sales) tax collections is a central driver of concern. Foley said the county has partial collections through mid‑January and that consolidated taxes began declining in November; those receipts make up an estimated 40–42% of general‑fund revenue. He recommended conservative assumptions and reserves because sales receipts can change quickly.

Balancing moves and personnel changes To close most of the gap, the comptroller and manager proposed a mix of one‑time fund‑balance uses and targeted cuts to vacant positions. Haskin told the board department leaders identified more than $800,000 of voluntary service‑and‑supply reductions during internal reviews.

Foley outlined recommended vacancy eliminations that focus on unfilled roles so the cuts do not displace current employees. Examples discussed include a vacant dispatcher position, a vacant parks maintenance position and consolidating a recorder-office assistant role with a cross‑trained community development employee. Those moves were presented as partial‑year savings and as options staff could adjust before final adoption.

Capital projects and equipment The tentative budget includes several capital projects and equipment replacements funded from designated funds or one‑time balances rather than ongoing taxes. Major items discussed were a Dayton Government Complex project (roughly $2.88 million in the draft), continued work on the Fernley Justice Complex and Dayton Justice Court, and a planned Dayton sewer gravity‑line replacement and sewer plant work. Foley described the county’s preference to save cash and avoid borrowing where possible.

Information‑technology and fleet needs also featured in the presentation. Foley said the county’s telephone system is at end of life and estimated a replacement cost of about $140,000 that vendors have since increased to roughly $145,000; two storage‑area network devices were pegged near $60,000. The sheriff’s request included several replacement patrol vehicles and live‑scan fingerprint machines estimated at about $87,000.

Silver Springs billing contract, utilities staffing The board heard a separate discussion about Silver Springs General Improvement District operations and a contract with Silver Springs Mutual Water Company for billing, collections and USA line locates. Foley said the mutual company had proposed raising a monthly fee the county has paid for roughly 18 years from $3,000 a month to a stepped increase (the company proposed larger increases; staff proposed $4,500 as a 50% CPI‑adjusted figure). Foley asked the board to adopt the district tentative budget and allow staff to continue negotiating alternatives, including possible consolidation of billing with Dayton utilities.

Foley also noted that utilities funds are funded by user fees, not sales tax or property tax, and that the utilities team is proposed to add two full‑time‑equivalent positions in the draft to keep pace with system growth and preventive maintenance needs. He said a possible third utilities hire could be considered before final budget depending on district contracting outcomes.

Commissioners’ travel debate Commissioners debated trimming commissioner travel during a tight budget year and whether attendance at National Association of Counties events yields sufficient value. Some commissioners described the meetings as “an investment” that helps shape federal policy and bring grant opportunities; others urged tighter limits or use of Zoom where feasible. The board discussed increasing the travel line modestly for the tentative budget so representation could continue for critical national and annual meetings and to revisit the question before final adoption.

Votes at a glance - Tentative budgets for funds outside the general fund (capital improvement and enterprise funds): approved (motion by Commissioner Hendricks; second by Commissioner Hakimbo); vote recorded as passed 5–0. - Mason Valley Mosquito Abatement District tentative budget (fiscal 2025–26): approved; vote recorded as passed 5–0. - Central Lyon County Vector Control District tentative budget (fiscal 2025–26): approved; vote recorded as passed 5–0. - Walker River Weed Control District tentative budget (fiscal 2025–26): approved; vote recorded as passed 5–0. - Silver Springs General Improvement District tentative budget (fiscal 2025–26): approved with staff direction to continue negotiations on the billing/contract terms; one commissioner recorded an abstention from this item. - Road/Willow Creek General Improvement District tentative budgets: approved; staff to return with more detail on city contract options.

What’s next The documents adopted Monday are tentative budgets. Commissioners asked staff to return with updated revenue and contract information and to bring final budget recommendations for adoption per state timelines. Staff flagged the upcoming legislative session items and grant decisions that could require later budget amendments.

The board’s next steps include continued talks on the Silver Springs billing contract, further refinement of vacancy and service‑contract proposals and a final budget hearing when state and grant figures are firmer.