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Fernley tells Assembly committee rapid growth is stressing services, seeks support for community center and road projects
Summary
City of Fernley officials described rapid population and business growth, major development projects and funding constraints; they asked the Legislature for support on a Community Response and Resource Center and noted transport, health‑care and childcare gaps as the city expands.
City of Fernley officials presented to the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs, outlining rapid growth, major industrial and logistics projects, planned housing supply, and requests for legislative support for community facilities and transportation improvements.
Mayor Neely (Veil) McIntyre and City Manager Benjamin Marchant told the committee Fernley’s population has grown since incorporation and now sits at roughly 25,332 residents; the city has approved more than 3,400 housing units and has about 700 units under construction. Marchant said the city relies heavily on property taxes (about 29.5% of the budget) and permits and fees (about 27.3%), and that motor‑fuel tax funds of $7.5 million are being used this year for streets improvements but will be depleted.
Marchant described several near‑term priorities: the Community Response and Resource Center (CRRC), a multi‑phase project with Phase 1 operations space and a kitchen (intended for Truckee Meadows Boys & Girls Club operations when not used for emergency response); Phase 2 would add an early‑childhood learning center (about 80 additional childcare slots) and Phase 3 a gymnasium/shelter. The city is seeking state funding through SB 70 to complete the facility.
Fernley officials also described transport congestion and corridor studies with the Nevada Department of Transportation, the upcoming extension of Nevada Pacific Parkway (Exit 50) and a $25 million RAISE grant award mentioned in the presentation. The city does not operate its own police or fire services; law enforcement is provided by the Lyon County Sheriff and fire services by the North Lyon County Fire Protection District.
City Manager Marchant said Fernley has about 20,000 acre‑feet of water rights in reserve and currently uses roughly 9,000 acre‑feet; the city is upgrading treatment to blend Truckee Canal surface water and groundwater to meet peak summer demand and hopes to begin treated deliveries in 2026. On housing, Marchant said current median home‑price estimates fluctuate but recent figures centered near $387,000.
Officials noted growth constraints related to federal land conveyances from the 2013 lands bill and a newly reintroduced federal lands bill; they asked the committee to consider wider revenue options for cities, including support for Assemblymember Anderson’s AJR‑1 property‑tax reset upon sale, which the city supports.
