Reno council approves $223,550 contract to study regional parks district

The Reno City Council on June 4 approved a $223,550 professional services agreement with PROS Consulting Inc. to prepare a parks district service plan — a legally required feasibility study that would describe options, boundaries, governance and funding methods should a parks district be created. Parks and Recreation Director Nathan Olyatt told the council the service plan "is a legally required first step" and emphasized the contract itself does not create a district.

Olyatt, who led the presentation, summarized why staff put the item before council: the city faces roughly $150 million in deferred maintenance for parks and facilities and lacks a stable funding tool for operations and capital other than bonds or ad hoc grants. He said the plan will evaluate options including a city-only district, a regional district that could cross jurisdictional lines, or focused river or trail districts. "This process will take us through all of the steps, all of the options, all of the boundaries," he said. Olyatt estimated a roughly one-year timeline to complete the plan and prepare material that could be used in any future legislative or ballot process.

The council and public commenters emphasized the local political and community interest. Craig Bronson, chair of the parks and recreation commission, said a district could protect parks funding when general funds are cut and urged council to keep consultant scope tight. Multiple community groups — Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, 1 Truckee River, Sierra Nevada Journeys and others — urged approval at public comment and during the hearing.

Olyatt said funding for the study would be shared: the contract total is $223,550, with a tentative $100,000 reimbursement from Washoe County under consideration and $60,000 identified in the redevelopment agency budget as reimbursement. If those contributions proceed, the city general fund would cover the balance of the contract. Council approved the contract unanimously.

The study will be a community process and will not itself create a district or a funding mechanism. Instead, it will provide detailed options — boundaries, service levels, funding scenarios, governance structures and implementation steps — and staff said the plan will be used only if elected officials later decide to pursue formal creation through the Nevada Legislature or a ballot measure.

Council members who represent neighborhoods and community groups praised the outreach plan and asked staff to ensure coordination with Washoe County, Sparks and regional partners. Several speakers pressed for a dedicated staff position or shared staff focused on the Truckee River irrespective of the district outcome; council members suggested that would be considered alongside the study’s findings.

The council approved the agreement after acknowledging the study would not produce an immediate funding change and noting the need for public engagement and interjurisdictional coordination.