Fernley tourism board awards $79,612 to local events, refers one‑time 25th‑anniversary funding to council

The Fernley Convention and Tourism Authority on Monday voted to distribute $79,612.33 in tourism‑grant awards to nine local groups and referred a request for a one‑time Transient Lodging Tax budget augmentation for Fernley’s 25th‑anniversary activities to the Fernley City Council for final approval.

The awards announced after presentations and scoring included $15,500 for the Friendly Youth Softball Tournament, $11,000 for the Fernley Junior High and High School Rodeo, $6,700 for the Reno Over‑The‑Hill Gang Nationals motocross event, $6,400 for the Nevada Veterans Coalition Memorial Day program, $4,000 for the Fernley Community Foundation’s Polaris Plaza activation, $13,333.33 for Fernley Aces’ arts and culture programming, $5,279 for a proposed Fernley public market, $10,000 for the Fourth of July committee’s advertising and materials, and $7,400 for the Boys & Girls Club Passport to Party fundraiser. The board recorded the total award‑cycle payout as $79,612.33.

Why it matters: Board members said the grants support events that bring hotel stays and outside spending into Fernley, bolstering restaurants, retailers and service businesses. During presentations, organizers emphasized youth and veteran engagement, return hotel occupancy, and plans to expand events that draw regional visitors.

Presentations and board comments "This is a huge event for the city of Fernley. It helps with our economy. It helps with helping get Fernley on the map," said Guy Gaba of the Friendly Youth Softball Group during his presentation asking for continued support for tournament operations and youth programming. Carmen Lu, speaking for the Fernley junior‑high and high‑school rodeo team, described team travel and state‑level successes and said the March rodeo regularly fills host hotels.

Cody Wagner of the Fernley Community Foundation outlined Phase 1 site work at Polaris Plaza and a proposed series of monthly "Foundation Fridays" events (May–September) intended to combine a farmers‑market style vendor mix with music and radio promotion. Jamie Daniels of the Fernley Aces described "Inferno," a proposed three‑day music festival anchored by metal headliner Drowning Pool, telling the board the band fee alone is approximately $20,000 and that organizers expect camping and a capped ticket sale to draw nonlocal attendees.

Robert Carson, Fernley’s city treasurer, summarized the FY26 FCTA budget and available balances, noting the FY26 budget was approved at $220,000 with prior allocations (including $30,000 for fireworks and earlier grant rounds) and that there is roughly $345,000 in a restricted fund balance for the convention and tourism authority that could be used only if council approves a budget augmentation.

Votes, motions and next steps After scoring and averaging the review sheets, the clerk posted the recommended awards and the board moved to accept the amounts. "I make a motion to accept the numbers that we just put overhead for the record," said Board member Hannon; the motion passed 3–0. The board then formally elected Albert Torres as chair and re‑elected Mr. Berski as vice chair for two‑year terms; both elections passed 3–0.

On a separate item, Board member Hannon asked the board to ask the city council to consider a one‑time increase in available TLT funds for the city’s 25th‑anniversary events. Carson advised that any increase would require a council agenda item and approval as a budget augmentation; the FCTA voted 3–0 to present that request to the Fernley City Council so council members can set the amount.

Votes at a glance - Friendly Youth Softball Tournament — Awarded $15,500 — motion to accept grants passed 3–0. - Fernley Junior High and High School Rodeo — Awarded $11,000 — motion passed 3–0. - Reno OTHG Nationals — Awarded $6,700 — motion passed 3–0. - Nevada Veterans Coalition (Memorial Day) — Awarded $6,400 — motion passed 3–0. - Fernley Community Foundation (Polaris Plaza/Fridays) — Awarded $4,000 — motion passed 3–0. - Fernley Aces (Arts & Culture / Inferno) — Awarded $13,333.33 — motion passed 3–0. - Fernley Public Market (Danielle Donica) — Awarded $5,279 — motion passed 3–0. - Fernley Fourth of July committee — Awarded $10,000 (advertising/materials) — motion passed 3–0. - Boys & Girls Club (Passport to Party) — Awarded $7,400 — motion passed 3–0.

What the board directed next: The TLT augmentation request for the 25th‑anniversary will be agendized for Fernley City Council; the board did not select a dollar amount and stated council should decide on the augmentation and any specific allocation. The FCTA’s next meeting is scheduled for June 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Fernley City Council Chambers.

Public comments and civic context Several presenters stressed local volunteer labor and partnerships with hotels and restaurants as key economic multipliers for events. April Hammy of the city manager’s office closed public comment by thanking presenters and staff for their work. The board emphasized that accepted funds are intended as seed or promotional support and that major production expenses (for example, a headline band or fireworks vendor) often rely on additional ticketing revenue or separate mayor/council requests.

Meeting administration Robert Carson provided the fiscal context for FY26 and indicated that increasing allocations for the 25th anniversary would require a formal budget augmentation approved by city council. The board publicly recorded motions and votes; the clerk posted award totals for the record.