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Sparks signs interlocal to study regional fire services; council names two members to board
Summary
Sparks joined Reno and Washoe County in an interlocal agreement to form a Regional Fire Study Board under Senate Bill 319; council appointed Joe Rodriguez and Paul Anderson as Sparks' representatives and approved the agreement unanimously.
The Sparks City Council on July 14 approved an interlocal agreement with Washoe County and the City of Reno to establish a Regional Fire Study Board pursuant to Senate Bill 319 from the 2025 legislative session.
Walt White, Sparks fire chief, told the council the agreement would create a board to evaluate the feasibility, cost impacts, governance and legal mechanisms of consolidating fire protection services into a countywide fire protection district. White said there is no fiscal impact at the time of formation; costs for a study are unknown and would be shared equally among the three jurisdictions once bids are received.
Council members then appointed two Sparks representatives to the board. Councilmember Diane Vanderwell moved to appoint Joe Rodriguez and Paul Anderson; Donald Abbott seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
White said the board will evaluate possible governance options and cost implications; his presentation framed the board as the mechanism required by SB 319 to study regional service options before any structural changes.
Votes at a glance: Approve interlocal agreement AC6132 to establish Regional Fire Study Board under Senate Bill 319 — mover: Diane Vanderwell; second: Joe Rodriguez; outcome: approved unanimously. Appoint Joe Rodriguez and Paul Anderson as Sparks' two appointees to the Regional Fire Study Board — mover: Diane Vanderwell; second: Donald Abbott; outcome: approved unanimously.
