Storey County, fire district and water-sewer budgets approved; fire district to buy $1.295M in equipment

Storey County commissioners unanimously approved a series of budget and capital measures on May 5, including the Storey County Fire Protection District (SCFPD) Capital and Staffing Improvement Plan for fiscal 2026–2031, authorizations for capital purchases and final budgets for county departments.

Fire Chief Bob Ryser said development at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) has produced unanticipated expenses that could reduce the ending fund balance; he said the presented plan would not change personnel levels. The board approved the SCFPD plan and separately approved capital expenditures totaling $1,295,000—$800,000 for Wildland Division equipment and $495,000 for EMS equipment—by unanimous vote.

Comptroller Jennifer McCain briefed commissioners on the fiscal numbers, saying those delayed items mentioned by Chief Ryser remain in the budget and that General Fund revenues are sufficient to support operations. McCain said expenditures increased about 7% and transfers increased about 43%, putting the projected Fire District ending fund balance at $4.8 million. She also noted the Capital Projects Fund includes approximately $12 million for equipment and projects.

The board approved the preliminary SCFPD 2026–2027 Final Budgets and subsequently approved the Storey County Water-Sewer and County FY2026–2027 Final Budgets; McCain said the Water-Sewer budgets include a General Fund transfer to support infrastructure and that increased investment interest will assist capital and operations. All votes were 3–0.

The board took the actions as motions moved by Commissioner Clay Mitchell and seconded by Commissioner Donald Gilman. No public comment was recorded on the budget items at the meeting.