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Resident tells board Meridian development promises left fire service gaps; asks whether residents get the service they pay for
Summary
Diane Radcliffe urged the study board to account for long-standing fire-safety concerns tied to the Meridian 120 South / Mortenson-Garson development, saying a per-door fee and a $300,000 payment will not fund a fire station and asking whether governments have implemented the level of service residents pay for.
At the start of the Regional Fire Service Study Board meeting, resident Diane Radcliffe used public comment to press officials about fire protection tied to the Meridian 120 South / Mortenson-Garson development. "Have all governmental agencies, the city of Reno, city of Sparks, and Washoe County implemented the level of fire service that residents pay for?" she asked.
Radcliffe said fire safety concerns were raised repeatedly during meetings about the Meridian project dating back to 2017, and that the city removed a residential fire station requirement in favor of a per-door fee for some homes. She said the per-door fee cited on the slide would not fund construction, staffing or equipment for a station and that the city accepted $300,000 and now relies on mutual aid from Truckee Meadows for coverage.
Radcliffe also cited a fiscal-impact figure she said was associated with the Mortenson-Garson project, saying it showed a large net surplus to the city: "Looking at the fiscal impact analysis for the Mortenson Garson projects ... there's gonna be $24,200,000. It'll be a net surplus to the city." She told the board she has followed Verdi issues for over 25 years and urged members to ensure residents receive the level of service they pay for.
Board staff and chiefs acknowledged the concern; later in the meeting staff clarified that Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District does not provide service to all unincorporated Washoe County and that other districts, including the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, also cover portions of the unincorporated county. The board did not take action on the specific development-related claims at the meeting.
