Storey County board approves 2025–26 tentative budgets; general fund projections show planned drawdown

The Storey County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved tentative budgets for fiscal year 2025–26 for the county general fund, the Story County Water and Sewer fund, and the Story County Fire Protection District at its April 15 meeting.

Jennifer McCain, Storey County comptroller, presented changes that followed updated State of Nevada Department of Taxation pro forma revenue numbers and department requests. She said the general fund’s revenue projection increased by about $1.9 million while expenses rose roughly $1.6 million between the last draft and the tentative budget. McCain reported a projected ending fund balance reduction of $14,924,000 and noted the tentative budget does not yet include outcomes of AFSCME negotiations or the final county liability insurance cost.

McCain outlined department-level adjustments: the commissioners’ budget added contract professional services (including a contract engineer and cemetery support) that increased that line by roughly $200,000; the clerk–treasurer’s office added $35,000 for a ballot-marking device; buildings and grounds included $120,000 for a bathroom remodel at Station 74 and exterior painting at the TRI complex; sheriff’s office wage and benefit adjustments produced a net $10,000 increase after position removals and additions, and communications was increased for an anticipated manager position and 911 equipment; community and health services rose by about $1 million for community support projects and Lockwood Senior Center completion items.

For special revenue funds, McCain said the road department’s revenues rose by about $500,000 while expenses increased roughly $964,000 to fund drainage work in Mark Twain; the equipment acquisition fund received roughly $500,000 in additional ad valorem. The capital projects fund was adjusted and now reflects an ending balance McCain estimated at $1.7 million.

McCain also presented the Story County Water and Sewer tentative budgets. After including scheduled USDA payments, both funds showed more expenses than revenues (water approximately $20,000 deficit; sewer approximately $80,000 deficit), though both retain positive ending fund balances — roughly $1.7 million for water and $1.2 million for sewer. McCain said staff will continue adjustments ahead of the May 20 final hearing.

Separately, McCain presented the Story County Fire District tentative budgets. Chief Longcar (fire district chief) and McCain worked to trim the district’s requests; changes included splitting ad valorem between the general fund and capital fund to strengthen the district capital position. After reductions (including removing a finance officer and cutting equipment purchases), McCain said the fire general fund projects a roughly $2.5 million ending balance and the capital fund about $1.2 million. She noted ongoing negotiations with the fire union were not reflected in the tentative figures.

Commissioners voted to approve the county-wide tentative budget submission to the Nevada Department of Taxation; the board also approved Water and Sewer and Fire District tentative budgets for submission. Jennifer McCain asked commissioners to sign required copies of the tentative budget paperwork before leaving the meeting.

The board scheduled a May 20 public hearing for final budget approval. McCain said she would return with updated numbers on May 6 and again on May 20 before the county submits final budgets to the Department of Taxation.