WRWC approves tentative FY26 budget, schedules May 22 public hearing

The Western Regional Water Commission approved a tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and directed staff to file the tentative budget with the Department of Taxation and to notice a public hearing on May 22, 2025, at 9 a.m.

WRWC staff reported total projected revenues of $1,980,000 and total proposed expenditures of $3,400,000, producing a projected negative net for the year. Staff explained the apparent shortfall results from planned draws on existing cash reserves: an estimated beginning balance of $1,880,000 carried forward from the prior fiscal year (audit balance as of July 1, 2024) would leave an estimated $433,328 in reserves at the start of FY27, roughly six months of operating costs according to staff projections.

The professional services line item totals $2,600,000 and is broken into program areas recommended by the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission: water supply and conservation ($137,000), wastewater and reuse ($600,000), stormwater ($403,000), flood control and planning ($3,750), $210,000 for regional water management plan implementation (including the Hansford contract), and a $900,000 contingency/pending projects pool for projects still in scoping or for new priorities. Routine operating expenses (staff, legal counsel, insurance, technical support, travel) total $798,718.

Staff described the revenue source as a 1.5% surcharge on participating public water systems’ bills in the planning area; the surcharge floats with billed water usage. Commissioners asked whether the optional or multi-year projects would create ongoing pressure on reserves; staff said many projects are multi-year or may not fully spend their budget in a single year, and reserves have historically been drawn down and replenished across years.

Miss Taylor moved to approve the tentative budget, file required documents with the Department of Taxation, and schedule the May 22 public hearing; Mr. Anderson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.