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Sparks council approves shared fire-chief agreement with Reno; staff projects $245,000 initial savings
Summary
Council approved an interlocal agreement (AC6205) to have Reno’s fire chief provide executive oversight of both departments while preserving separate budgets, personnel, labor agreements and stations; Sparks will reimburse Reno 25% of the chief27s salary and benefits and staff estimates initial savings of about $245,000.
Sparks City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement (AC6205) with the City of Reno to establish a shared fire-chief model under which the Reno fire chief provides executive oversight of both departments while each city keeps independent budgets, personnel, labor agreements and governance.
Derek Keller, Division Chief of Operations for the Sparks Fire Department, told the council the agreement "formalizes the shared fire chief model while maintaining two individual independent fire departments" and said Sparks would reimburse Reno for 25% of the fire chief's salary and benefits. He said staff believes the arrangement "strengthens regional collaboration, improves service delivery, preserves local control, and positions both departments to better serve our community."
Wayne Webber, budget division, projected financial effects: "We project estimated savings about $245,000 just on this initial position," noting that figure reflects the 25% reimbursement arrangement. Councilors pressed staff on oversight and evaluation cadence; staff pointed to quarterly performance reporting and a new performance portal as mechanisms for transparency and review.
Reno Fire Chief Steve Cochran, who would serve in the shared-leadership role, told the council the proposal "is not a consolidation. It's not a merger," and that the approach is intended to bring regional perspective while retaining the distinct identities and needs of each department. Dan Tappe, president of the Reno/Sparks firefighters union, said labor is generally supportive while reserving the right to review details in membership meetings.
Council members also asked whether future sharing could extend to other management positions; staff said the agreement is written to allow evaluation of additional shared roles only where it makes operational and financial sense. The interlocal is initially structured as a one-year arrangement with a 180-day buyout provision; councilors emphasized they can revisit the model if service delivery or support for line staff prove inadequate.
The motion to approve the agreement carried unanimously.
