TMRPA adopts FY2025–26 budget, approves technology and staffing upgrades

The Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency governing board unanimously approved the agency's fiscal year 2025'26 budget after a presentation from staff, voting to use a modest increase in jurisdictional allocations tied to the West Region Consumer Price Index and to invest in GIS licensing and server upgrades.

Dr. Jeremy Smith, TMRPA staff, told the board staff expects roughly $1.2 million in revenue and about $1.25 million in expenditures for the coming fiscal year, and that the agency's fund balance would fall from an estimated $350,000 to about $283,000 under the proposed plan. "We think we're coming in at about 97% of our projected revenue, and we think our spending will be about 95% of what we projected," Smith said during the presentation.

The budget proposal includes a 2.1% jurisdictional allocation increase tied to the October West Region Consumer Price Index and up to a 5% merit increase for staff. It also funds an initial upgrade of TMRPA's ArcGIS enterprise licensing to support a six-core server; Smith said the first-year licensing and implementation cost is approximately $11,600, with ongoing maintenance estimated at about 25% annually. The agency also plans to backfill its departed GIS coordinator position at a lower level and to repurpose internal staff responsibilities while recruiting a replacement targeted for March.

The proposal reflects multiyear efforts to stabilize agency finances following post-recession reductions. Smith told the board the agency has gradually rebuilt its fund balance and aims to maintain a target reserve equal to roughly 10%–12% of the annual budget over the next several years. "We're looking to dig into that [fund balance] by about $69,000, leaving us at $283,000," Smith said.

Board members asked for periodic budget updates. Member Diane Vanderwell suggested shorter progress reports so the board can monitor changes without imposing an undue reporting burden on staff; Smith agreed the office would provide updates as appropriate. Member Mike Clark and others voiced support for funding the GIS/licensing updates to keep the agency's mapping capacity current.

Member Doer moved to approve the budget as presented; Member Rodriguez seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The board directed staff to bring more-specific strategic goals and measurable performance targets for the director and agency work plan at the April meeting, with implementation expected to begin July 1 if approved. Smith said staff will return in April with those proposed goals and a work-plan link to performance evaluation.