Sparks adopts 2025–26 budget and directs city manager to raise waste-management fee to 14%

The Sparks City Council voted 3–2 on Monday to adopt the city’s final fiscal year 2025–26 budget and to direct the city manager to raise the waste-management franchise fee from 8% to 14% of gross receipts (a net 6-point increase). Council members Ed Abbott, Paul Anderson and Charlene Spivey voted in favor; Councilwoman Vanderwell and Councilman Rodriguez voted no.

The measure, moved by Councilman Ed Abbott and seconded by Councilman Paul Anderson, was the culmination of weeks of staff briefings and council debate about how to close a structural gap in the city’s revenue while protecting core services. The council’s motion instructed the city manager to implement a 14% gross-receipts franchise fee for waste management while the budget document submitted for signature continues to reflect the draft revenue assumptions previously circulated to council.

Council members who opposed the measure said the increase would place further burden on residents and small businesses already coping with higher utility and living costs. Vanderwell said the decision would eliminate funding for five positions that council had previously discussed restoring: three police officer positions and two firefighter positions identified earlier in the budget materials, and that she could not support the particular fee increase given equity concerns. Rodriguez also voted against the motion.

Supporters said the increase was needed to preserve essential services. Abbott, who moved the adoption, urged colleagues to accept a compromise that provided “some runway” for municipal operations and public safety while staff pursue additional revenue strategies.

Jeff Kronk, the city’s chief financial officer, told the council the alternative paths would require re-noticing and re-adoption of budget documents if council chose to change the adopted revenue assumptions after today; he advised that council could adopt the budget as presented and give implementation direction to the city manager — the approach ultimately chosen.

What the action changes: the city’s fiscal plan will be implemented under the new franchise-fee direction; however, the city manager has been directed to manage to the 14% implementation rather than the higher increase earlier contemplated in the draft materials. Council members and staff noted the change will not eliminate all future budget gaps: staff estimated the city would still face sizable deficits in later fiscal years if broader economic conditions do not improve.

The vote concluded a lengthy public discussion before council, including comments by residents expressing concern about potential service cuts and the financial strain on households. Council members emphasized competing priorities including public safety, workforce retention and long‑term fiscal sustainability.

Council action details and next steps: the budget was adopted by formal motion and will be signed and filed per Nevada law. The city manager will implement the franchise-fee change as directed and return with updates as required by council policy and state deadlines.

The vote: motion to adopt final FY 2025–26 budget with direction to city manager to increase waste-management franchise fee from 8% to 14% of gross receipts; mover: Councilman Ed Abbott; seconder: Councilman Paul Anderson; outcome: approved, 3–2 (Abbott, Anderson, Spivey — yes; Vanderwell, Rodriguez — no).

The council did not take additional votes during the final-budget roll call on alternate revenue scenarios; staff said they will continue to pursue other revenue and cost-management strategies.

Minor procedural note: the council’s final adoption follows the statutorily required tentative-budget hearing and filing; the action authorizes city staff to begin implementation under the directions approved by council.