The Carson City Board of Supervisors moved to address the city’s aging neighborhood streets during its Tuesday meeting, unanimously approving the continuation of a 1/8-cent sales tax to fund local road maintenance.
The tax, originally established in 2005 to fund the V&T Railroad reconstruction, will be redirected now that the railroad bonds have been retired.
The board also voted to rename the “V&T Special Infrastructure Fund” to the “Street and Highway Infrastructure Fund.”
The decision follows years of public discussion regarding a funding gap for local roads. While regional roads in the city maintain a higher Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 69%, local neighborhood roads have dropped to 55%. This is likely due to there being more funding available from state and federal sources for regional roads.
“Local roads have a very big disparity with the condition of the regional roads,” said resident Mark Costa during public comment. Other residents, including Mary Sonata, noted that some neighborhoods have not seen regular maintenance in nearly 17 years.
The tax is expected to generate approximately $2 million annually specifically for the maintenance and repair of existing local streets, excluding the construction of new roadways.
State asks to be removed from Downtown Character requirements
In a significant policy move, the board initiated a formal process to consider amending the city’s Master Plan due to a request from the state to remove several of their parcels—including the former Children’s Home site—from the “downtown character area” map.
State officials requested the change to exempt these properties from certain downtown design standards and policies. While the Planning Commission previously voted against recommending the change, the Board of Supervisors opted to initiate the amendment process to allow for a transparent public hearing where the state can present its long-term plan.
The board also discussed development at Lompa North, with supervisors expressing a desire to prioritize emergency and public access to William Street over strict dwelling unit counts. The board’s discussion focused on ensuring that access points are established as the project reaches its 810-unit threshold.
Commission Appointments
The board conducted interviews for the Parks and Recreation Commission, ultimately appointing Jim Feser and Jayna Moen to four-year terms.
Feser, president of the Carson City Little League, emphasized his experience in facility management, while Moen highlighted her interest in pollinator gardens and food security.
Kurt Meyer was also reappointed to the commission.
In addition, the board re-appointed Charles Borders and Terry Preston to the Carson City Planning Commission.
New fire staffing designation
The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Carson City Firefighters Association, Local #2251, a move that has been nearly two years in the making.
The agreement introduces a new staffing tier: non-suppression paramedics.
Unlike traditional firefighters who are cross-trained for fire suppression, these specialists focus exclusively on emergency medical services. This new position is designed to bolster response capabilities at Fire Station 55, specifically targeting “peak” daytime hours when call volumes are at their highest in Carson City.
Funding for these positions will not come from the general fund. Instead, the board noted the costs will be covered by the Ambulance Fund, an enterprise fund supported by service fees.
The fiscal impact includes:
• $37,972 for the current 2026 fiscal year.
• An estimated total of $141,648 over the remaining term of the collective bargaining agreement through 2028.
Buzzy’s Ranch Water Rights
In a major step for the city’s Open Space program, the board authorized a $2.29 million purchase of water rights from Vidler Water Company to acquire approximately 203.5 acres (or 915.8 acre-feet annually) of water rights specifically for Buzzy’s Ranch.
Open Space Manager Lyndsey Boyer explained that this purchase represents about one-third of the total water rights required to fully sustain the ranch.
According to Boyer, the goal of securing these rights is multifaceted:
- Historical Preservation: The water ensures the continuation of irrigation for fields that have been farmed for over 100 years.
- Environmental Protection: Maintaining the water flow is critical for wildlife habitats and the health of the local floodplain.
- Aesthetics: The rights guarantee the “green pasture” look of the area remains intact rather than drying out.
Mayor Lori Bagwell noted that the purchase is the result of a long-term strategy where the city accumulated necessary funds over several years to execute its conservation plan.
Other items
A resolution accepting 11.61 acres of public right-of-way at Andersen Ranch—including streets such as Pickaxe Street and Bravestone Avenue—passed 4-1, with Supervisor Maurice White casting the lone dissenting vote.
In a brief meeting of the Redevelopment Authority, Mayor Bagwell and Supervisor Stacey Giomi were re-elected as chair and vice-chair, respectively, for one-year terms.
You can watch the full meeting on YouTube or in the video below:
