Truckee Meadows Fire District reports balanced FY26 outlook, readies station opening and budget for FY27

CFO Crystal Sublette told the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District board on April 1 that the district is operating favorably through February and presented a preliminary tentative budget for FY26–27 that projects revenues of about $56.28 million for FY26 and $58.5 million for FY27.

Subette said revenues year-to-date and conservative assumptions produce an estimated FY27 beginning fund balance of about $9.6 million and a projected ending fund balance near $8.4 million (about 15.2% of expenditures), below but approaching the district's 17–19% fund-balance policy. "We are operating favorably at this point in time," Sublette said, adding the agency realized savings from vacant positions and temporary pauses to certain contributions.

The presentation identified several items likely to affect FY27. The district plans to open Station 35 next year, which Sublette said will create at least $1 million in overtime in the near term as new staffing is phased in. She also forecast a 3.25% cost-of-living adjustment for three labor groups, and estimated roughly $1.3 million in retiree payouts tied to upcoming retirements. The emergency fund and stabilization fund numbers were reviewed and Sublette said she will supply a more detailed capital reconciliation at the May meeting.

Sublette described near-term cost-saving measures: a temporary pause on OPEB trust contributions this fiscal year, targeted vacancy holds, and a one-year pause on some program budgets. She said those steps account for a projected favorable variance of roughly $3.8 million in FY26.

Board members pressed for clarity on assumptions, including property-tax estimates and whether county transfers (such as a reported PILT intergovernmental transfer) are included. Sublette said tax projections come from the state Department of Taxation and she will "true up" the assumptions before the May presentation and confer with county staff about potential interlocal transfers.

The board voted to accept the presentation and send the tentative budget back to staff for adjustments and additional detail at the May meeting. The district staff will return with reconciled capital-project figures, updated tax numbers and any recommended changes before the formal budget hearing and adoption schedule in May and June.

The board closed the business portion of the meeting to enter a closed session; staff said the public may provide comment after the closed session in the caucus room.