Around the Arch Blog

We posted on Facebook earlier this month that Nevada made Forbes’ recent list of “Best States for Business” in two categories; #7 for business costs and #6 for growth prospects.

Some residents pointed out that it should not be overlooked that Nevada also ranked #50 in economic climate and #49 in quality of life.

We applaud those individuals for engaging in these important issues facing our entire state. This opens up conversation on a well-known discussion here within City of Reno management.

From my perspective as Reno’s (relatively new) Finance Director, a strong Reno starts with strong fiscal management. I can tell you that this view is adamantly supported by our City Manager and the rest of our team. Without this foundation, we will be unable to deliver quality services to our citizens.

Reno is at a financial crossroad

The costs of pensions, health care, labor and general operations keep rising, and revenues from taxes and fees are either declining or not keeping pace with cost increases.  We are also limited on the ability to ask citizens to pay more in taxes and fees.

We need to operate with more efficiency and less expense. Instead of relying on across-the-board cuts or tax increases and account transfers, our plan is to pursue a more strategic approach.

Reno’s strategy for financial stability

The City of Reno is at a point where easy answers and one-time fixes are no longer enough to create financial stability. So we have a plan for where we intend to go.

•  It doesn’t make sense to continue to address simply year-to-year structural shortfalls. So we’re developing a multi-year model for funding and budgeting.

•  We want citizens to be able to see all of our monetary transactions in a simple online interface. It’s your money – you have every reason to see where it’s going.

•  We’re developing a Strategic Plan that outlines our Mission, Vision & Values. This will help staff plan their individual goals and objectives. We have so many people here who care, really care, about our City and what they do for it. To make this work, we all need to move in the same direction. Big ideas don’t mean much by themselves, so the plan will include timeframes for action items and performance measures to ensure accountability.

•  Bonds are a big issue! A complete review of the bonding program of the City is underway. It’s important that we:

– Meet financial obligations
– Implement a revised bonding policy
– Minimize interest costs
– Reduce the overall debt ratio

•  We’re continuing ongoing review of government operations to find improvements, and we’re reviewing our revenue streams to ensure the maximum (and appropriate) revenue is being received.

•  Reno isn’t the only one in this boat. We’ll work with other local and state governments for opportunities for regional solutions and intergovernmental cooperation.

•  We’re looking at ‘managed competition’ to identify areas that may offer efficiencies or savings by utilizing private vendors, and we’re reviewing our non-critical assets to see if there’s anything that makes sense to sell.

We only get so many people coming to our City Council meetings, or stopping by City Hall and sharing their ideas. I’d like to invite you to connect with us in any way you can. Through your participation online and with events like the Recharge Nevada Summit, you can help us get a better understanding of your ideas and concerns that matter to you.

Please feel free to comment below, and share this post to invite others in on the conversation.

Reno Parks, Recreation & Community Services is hiring for seasonal staff in the administration office, and at Rosewood Lakes Golf Course, area pools, summer camps and teen centers.  These part-time jobs are the best jobs in the City – ones that provide experiences and memories that last a lifetime.  Check them out!

The City of Reno and Windspire Energy™ (formerly Mariah Power), developer of the Windspire® wind turbine, released an RFP to paint the City of Reno’s Windspire wind turbine during a live Artown event on July 8th at the West Street Market. The event is a celebration of the City’s commitment to both art and renewable energy.

To read more about this exciting partnership and event with the City of Reno, Windspire Energy, and Artown click here.

The City of Reno Public Works will proudly participate in the 6th annual Building Women Exploration Fair on Friday.

The Building Women Exploration Fair is a unique ‘women only’ event exposing women to non-traditional employment roles in the construction trades plus allows participants to have a “hands on” opportunity at varying trades. Welding, painting, plastering, plumbing, and heavy equipment operation are some of the trades that are highlighted at the fair. Attendees will also be able to learn how to apply and qualify for free building trade apprenticeship programs.

The Building Women Exploration Fair is presented by the Western Apprenticeship Coordinators Association (WACA) in partnership with the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Job Opportunities in Nevada (JOIN), Inc., Truckee Meadows Community College, and Western Nevada Supply.

The City of Reno is dedicated to a diversified workforce representative of the community. For more information about the event visit www.buildingtradejobs.org.

What: Building Women Exploration Fair

When: Friday, April 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: TMCC/IGT Applied Technology Center at 475 Edison Way, Reno, Nevada

Reno Council Members Sharon Zadra and Jessica Sferrazza began the Spring series of their informal outreach “Fresh Air, New Ideas” at Dragonfies Cafe and Gift Shop. A number of residents talked about ideas for improving Reno’s economy. The Council women held the gathering at the Cafe to acquaint residents with the business and its goals. Dragonflies is a non-profit that helps families, mostly single women get jobs and a stable lifestyle. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MH3EvSzbUg]

The City of Reno and the Reno Redevelopment Agency are striving to help local businesses experiencing challenges during the economic downturn. One way they are doing this is by helping small business owners secure financing. 

Last Wednesday, the City Council approved a contract with Nevada Microenterprise Initiative (NMI), a private non-profit agency, to administer the Greater Reno Opportunities for Business (GROBusiness) Program. It is funded entirely by the City’s Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The GROBusiness Program is offered to qualifying new or expanding businesses in the City of Reno. Additional services through NMI include counseling and guidance to assist with maintaining a viable business, technical assistance, ongoing training, networking, and oversight. For more information about the GROBusiness Program contact the Nevada Microenterprise Initiative at 775-324-1812.

 To learn more about programs and services available visit www.reno.gov, click on Newsroom, then Current Issues, and Recovery & Reinvestment or www.reno.gov/Index.aspx?page=2037.

Reno Council Member Dave Aiazzi discusses need to let residents know that the budget cuts will need to consider an 18-month to 2 year impact of the downturn in the economy. He wants residents to help the City decide what services to provide.

Thirty union represented positions identified as part of the City of Reno’s reduction in force have passed the Civil Service review process and affected staff members were notified today. On Tuesday (1/12/10), 12 non-union employees were notified that they were among those who were being laid off. Forty-two staff members in total were given notice this week to help reduce the $6 million budget shortfall projected for this year.

In addition, 22 open positions have been frozen and two other staff members have notified the City they will retire, bringing the total force reduction to 66 positions across all funds. The reduction in force was authorized at the Council special session held January 8, 2010.

These cuts come on top of wage and benefit concessions made by staff coming into this fiscal year, due to worse than expected revenue losses. The City reduced its budget by $5.0 million in Fiscal Year 2007-2008, $25.4 million in Fiscal Year 2008-2009 and another $14.0 million for Fiscal Year 2009-2010, with the assistance of employee bargaining units.

With the additional $6 million reduction taking place now, the City has cut more than $50 million from the General Fund over the past three years. Over the same time, almost 300 positions have been either held vacant or eliminated, equaling approximately 17% of the City’s workforce.

Since the savings for these positions will be realized between February and June this fiscal year, the impact on next year is three times as much, possibly saving more than $9 million in Fiscal Year 2010-2011, which begins July 1, 2010.

Civil Service rules provide a ten day appeal process for employees given notice, so the elimination of the following positions will be effective as of February 1, 2010:

Community Development
Inspection Services Supervisor (1)
Public Works Construction Inspector (2)
Combination Inspector (1)

Finance Department
Accountant (1)
Accounting Assistant (2)

Communications & Technology
Information Systems Technician I (1)
Communication Technician (1)
Office Assistant II (1)

Public Works
Custodial Coordinator (1)
Public Works Construction Inspector (1)
Survey Instrument Technician (1)
Administrative Secretary (1)

Fire Department
Fire Prevention Officer (2)
Firefighter (12)
Office Assistant II (2)

Cuts in the Police Department have come through holding an additional 18 unfilled positions open. These positions had been purposefully left unfilled in anticipation of further cuts being necessary this year.

The City Council will continue to look at Fire station staffing scenarios at future Council meetings. At the January 27th Council meeting, new projections for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 will be discussed that reflect new revenue forecasts and the savings projected from this reduction in force.

It is now easier to connect to the City of Reno website. The City has changed its web address to “reno.gov.”   Why?   Simply put, shorter is better.

“Reno.gov” is easier read, type and remember!  Plus, the change is part of an overall cost savings measure that saves up to $40,000 a year.

Simply type “reno.gov” into your web browser and you will be connected to the City’s website where you can perform a number of transactions online saving gas or stamps and time! Read the rest of this entry »

Other cities have streetcars and light rail systems…is the City of Reno poised to have them too?   Work continues to make it happen!

The new head of the Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission told members of the Reno City Council a number of significant transportation projects are continuing to move forward including efforts to build a mass transit system along Virginia Street that could include street cars and eventually a light rail system. 

RTC Executive Director Lee Gibson said work continues with the area’s congressional delegation in Washington D.C. to secure as much federal funding as possible for the project.

 The Reno City Council has already approved a four phase concept to implement the plan as well as seven steps to move the project forward. 

The first phase of the project is underway with the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit in the downtown core.  The new RAPID buses began service in October of this year and Lee notes so far, the new buses have increased ridership by 10 % from downtown to the Meadowood Mall from a year ago.      

To learn more about this project go to the newsroom on the City’s website at www.cityofreno.com