Reno staff seek nonprofit registration feedback as nonprofits urge voluntary database, reject fees

City of Reno staff on a community call asked nonprofit leaders on Monday for feedback about whether the city should require local registration of nonprofit organizations, a step staff say could reduce land-use conflicts and help inspectors locate organizations operating in unmarked or confidential locations.

Lance Ferrato, director of licensing and code enforcement, told attendees the city has no draft ordinance or fee schedule and is collecting input before preparing a report for city council expected in late January or February. Ferrato said staff have about 317 voluntary registry entries but estimated more than 2,000 nonprofits may operate in the region and that state and federal filings often list mailing or home addresses rather than operating locations.

The discussion focused on three issues Ferrato had raised: planning and zoning conflicts, building and life-safety inspections for tenants who occupy existing buildings, and protecting confidential locations such as domestic-violence and trafficking shelters. Ferrato cited an example where a cannabis business was approved next to a rehab facility because the nonprofit neighbor was not clearly identified in local records.

Speakers representing a cross-section of nonprofits — including United Way, TheaterWorks of Northern Nevada, Girls on the Run, Midtown Reno and several conservation and volunteer groups — expressed broad opposition to mandatory registration or fees. Blake Pang, president and CEO of United Way of Northern Nevada, said United Way members ‘‘do not support any type of required registration and specifically a fee structure of any type for nonprofits operating in our area,’’ adding that many local nonprofits have lost funding in the past year and could be further strained by added costs.

Multiple small organizations and volunteer-run groups told staff a flat fee or a sliding-scale charge would be inequitable or could divert funds from programming. Sue Boone of the Assistance League noted her group ‘‘puts well over $1,000,000 back into this community every year’’ and said a fee would reduce program dollars. TheaterWorks’ Jillian Holgate said arts organizations are among the most underfunded and urged fee structures to account for organizational capacity.

Several participants recommended alternatives: promote the city’s existing $25 voluntary registry more widely; partner with regional conveners such as Truckee Meadows or the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada to expand an existing nonprofit database; or require license applicants (for new businesses) to conduct neighbor surveys where appropriate. United Way offered to help convene nonprofits and help expand voluntary listings.

Participants also warned that a mandatory registry could put confidential service locations at risk. Ferrato said staff would consult the city attorney and review state and federal privacy provisions before drafting any mandatory disclosure requirements and that confidentiality protections would be a top priority if the city moved forward.

Ferrato said staff will compile the survey results, recorded meetings and written comments into a report to be delivered to council early next year. He encouraged stakeholders to submit written comments to blcode@reno.gov, complete the survey at reno.gov/businesslicense, and attend the council meeting when the item is agendized.

No formal motion, ordinance or vote was taken at the session; the meeting was an information-gathering workshop to inform a future council discussion.