Fernley treasurer presents tentative FY2026–27 budget and proposal to eliminate city manager, add two chief officers

Robert Carson, the city treasurer and finance director, presented a tentative FY2026–27 budget to the Fernley City Council and proposed an organization overhaul that would eliminate the city manager and deputy city manager positions and create two new senior executive roles.

Carson told the council the tentative budget ‘‘was created by the mayor and me in collaboration with the department heads’’ and is intended as a starting point for council review and public input, not a final vote. He said the filing is required by state law and that the final budget will return to the council for approval in May.

The presentation outlined revenue and expenditure trends. Carson said total revenues are estimated to be lower than FY25 while property taxes are up; he flagged reductions in license and permit receipts and a substantial decline in projected investment earnings. He told the council the current-year budget had included a $4.6 million planned deficit driven by one‑time master plans and capital purchases, but he now expects the actual deficit to be closer to $1 million…