Hey Washoe County! Some people may find numbers and budgets and audits boring. Not me! With my professional background in audits and accounting and my educational background in accounting, I find number crunching fascinating. Sound finances are the backbone of a properly functioning Washoe County government.  

I got to spend time learning about Washoe County’s budget and finances at the Budget Workshop. There was a lot that was discussed: economic forecasts for Washoe County, review of the county’s financials, review of the county services, and the strategic outlook for the county. Until FY2030, the county will have a budget deficit right at get go. This will be a hurdle for the current and future County Commissioners. If elected to serve as your Washoe County Commissioner, be able to utilize my accounting and auditing expertise to advocate for a balanced budget and seek out cost-reducing measures. 

Let’s talk about taxes. Washoe County has some of the highest taxes in the region. Whether its sales taxes or fuel taxes, we pay higher taxes here in Washoe County. What are the true costs to the county when people purchase their vehicles or goods or purchase fuel in the outlying counties with lower taxes? If the county only knew the cumulative effects of this tax problem.

There will need to be a study conducted to figure this out. What is the solution? Raising taxes certainly could help the county increase its tax base, BUT did you know that Washoe County collects its taxes, but the county turns its tax revenues over to the State of Nevada. The Nevada Legislature holds the purse strings and decides how all the county’s tax revenues are distributed. This is just one of the many complicated components of Washoe County.

Washoe County can’t solve its declining revenues with its tax base; the county will have to focus on areas that it has control over: spending. It would be prudent for the Commissioners not to leave any stone unturned when it comes to reducing costs. Small savings add up. Perhaps the County could look at its buying power when negotiating with vendors. 

It was reported that the county’s personnel costs (salaries and PERS and benefits) are increasing, while revenues are decreasing. A clear problem when it comes to forecasting and budget management. To alleviate this issue, the County Commissioners will look at not creating any new positions (this does not include any current or future vacant positions).

This is a change from the previous hiring freeze. County staff will be asked to do more with the same. This concept is nothing new for those working in public service. As public servants, we always want to maximize service to the people with limited resources. When you are looking over a billion-dollar budget, the Commissioners have their work cut out for them to fill in the budget deficit. 

On a positive note, Washoe County had a clean FY2025 audit! 

The county has until June 1, 2026, to file its final budget with the State Department of Taxation.

If elected to serve as your representative on the Washoe County Commission for District 5, I will be able to bring my expertise in accounting and auditing to the Commission. This knowledge will be especially helpful in future budget discussions. I will also commit to ensuring transparency with the county’s finances.

One area of transparency I fully support: the Washoe County Checkbook. This is a great resource for the community to take a deeper dive into Washoe County’s finances by each department and budget line item. If you would like to learn more about the finances of Washoe County, please visit the Washoe County Checkbook website.

We are One Washoe County!