Commissioners press for study and fiscal detail on SB319, a bill that would allow countywide fire consolidation

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners discussed Senate Bill 319 on March 18 after a staff briefing that described the measure’s mandatory and enabling provisions. County staff and commissioners said they will work with Reno, Sparks and local chiefs to refine study scope and identify fiscal and operational impacts before taking a formal position.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Tom Daly, would allow Washoe County and participating cities to form a county fire protection district that could consolidate contiguous unincorporated and incorporated territory. Key features include a five‑member or larger board of fire commissioners appointed by each participating jurisdiction, authority to levy assessments and issue bonds payable by ad valorem taxes, and a mandatory study board under Section 15 that the bill would require the county and the two cities to form to evaluate consolidation impacts and report back by July 1, 2026.

Cadence Matejevich, the county’s government affairs liaison, walked commissioners through the bill and highlighted Section 15 as the only mandatory element. “Section 15 requires the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners to, by interlocal agreement, establish a board to study the creation of a county fire protection [district]… composed of two members of the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners… two members of the Reno City Council…and two members of the Sparks City Council,” she said.

Commissioners and public commenters raised fiscal and service concerns. Commissioner Mike Clark called the bill “a risky, expensive overreach” that could raise taxes and make housing less affordable, saying estimates he had seen showed an average-house impact of several thousand dollars annually. Clark and others told staff they want a clear accounting of how the county clerk, treasurer and assessor would administer assessments and what the direct costs to county departments would be.

Vice Chair Jean Herman and others urged caution. Herman said the board needs to study the measure carefully and ensure the study board’s scope covers fiscal impacts and service levels. District residents and public commenters — including Sandy Tibbitt and Penny Brock — urged the commission to oppose the bill because they feared it would shift costs to county taxpayers to subsidize city services.

County Manager Eric Brown said managers and fire chiefs from the region plan to meet with legislative counsel and try to develop a consolidated list of proposed amendments. “If there are thoughts… that any of you as commissioners want to share with me… happy to hear what your thoughts are,” he told the board.

District Attorney Mary Kendares told the commission Section 15, if enacted, would require formation of the study board and require the board to study specific items. That means the county would be legally obligated to stand up the study board and produce the report by the statute’s deadlines, she said.

Outcome: The board did not adopt a formal position on SB319 at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to coordinate with Reno and Sparks, study fiscal impacts (including department workloads), and return with suggested amendments and options for the board to consider before any formal county position or legislative testimony.

Ending: Commissioners said they want subject-matter detail — including an assessment of automatic aid, dispatch consolidation and departmental costs — addressed in any study or amendment package before the county takes a policy position.