Reno's Future
Reno’s Future: A Stronger, Smarter Path Forward
Reno’s best days are ahead. By hiring a qualified city manager, investing in road and water system improvements, and strengthening zoning protections, the city is preparing for smart, sustainable growth. With strong leadership and financial responsibility, Reno is on track to thrive for generations to come.
Reno’s Mayor, Hector Bas, has released his administration’s official Reno’s Future: 30/60/90+ Day Post-Election Commitment Plan
How Reno's best days can be in our future!
1. Hire a Qualified City Manager: A Huge Difference Maker!
Reno has the opportunity to bring in a professional city manager—a key step toward ensuring efficiency, accountability, and long-term success. A qualified city manager provides expert leadership, allowing the city to function more effectively and make smarter financial and infrastructure decisions that directly benefit residents.
An open job posting is currently active on TML. Several highly-qualified candidates have already expressed interest.
How a City Manager Strengthens Reno
Financial Oversight & Stability
- Ensures accurate budgeting and responsible financial management, preventing waste and misallocation.
- Secures grants, forgivable loans, and state/federal funding to support city improvements without overburdening taxpayers.
- Establishes a long-term financial plan to manage city growth and infrastructure needs.
Improved Infrastructure & Road Management
- Prioritizes road repairs, maintenance, and resurfacing based on data-driven assessments.
- Develops a long-term street maintenance program to avoid costly emergency fixes.
- Ensures that city contracts for roadwork and public services are cost-effective and high quality.
Water System Upgrades & Reliability
- Implements a strategic plan for water infrastructure upgrades to prevent failures and improve service.
- Works with engineers and water specialists to maintain compliance with state and federal standards.
- Applies for funding programs that minimize costs for residents while modernizing the water system.
Zoning & Growth Management
- Prevents uncontrolled development by enforcing smart growth policies that align with Reno’s character.
- Manages property density and infrastructure planning to protect property values.
- Ensures new developments contribute positively to Reno rather than straining resources.
City Operations & Accountability
- Provides clear oversight of city staff, ensuring efficiency and responsiveness to residents.
- Develops transparent processes and reports so citizens stay informed about city decisions.
- Brings professional problem-solving and long-term vision to city leadership
2. Improve Reno’s Water System
Reno is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality water to residents by securing funding for upgrades, modernizing infrastructure, and ensuring long-term sustainability. With the city’s final financial audit set for completion in Q2 of this year, Reno will soon regain access to state and federal grants and forgivable loans—allowing for major improvements without increasing resident costs.
Unlocking Funding for Critical Upgrades
- Completion of the city’s audit will restore eligibility for state and federal funding.
- Reno is working with specialized grant and loan providers to secure financial support for infrastructure improvements.
Upgrading Water Infrastructure
- Reno is launching a comprehensive system-wide upgrade, guided by an independent engineering firm.
- The plan includes replacing aging components, improving water treatment, and expanding capacity to meet future demands.
Keeping Water Affordable for Residents
- By securing grants and forgivable loans, Reno will make necessary upgrades without passing the cost onto residents.
- This approach ensures that residents benefit from a stronger water system without the burden of higher rates.
Ensuring Long-Term Oversight & Reliability
- Reno is committed to hiring at least two licensed water operators to ensure proper oversight, system efficiency, and compliance with state regulations.
3. Implement Comprehensive Action Steps for Reno’s Roads
Reno is taking concrete steps to improve its road infrastructure through a structured plan focused on immediate repairs and long-term investment. With financial stability returning, the city is prioritizing road maintenance to ensure safer, longer-lasting streets for residents.
Current Road Improvement Efforts
- Pothole repairs are actively underway as part of the city’s ongoing maintenance program.
- The most deteriorated and high-traffic roads will undergo resurfacing in the coming months to improve overall road quality.
Long-Term Infrastructure Planning
- Reno has developed an internal program to evaluate street maintenance needs and ensure resources are allocated efficiently.
- The city is focused on strategic planning to determine when a road should be patched, fully repaved, or deferred for future improvement.
- Citizen input will play a role in shaping road projects, ensuring the community’s needs are met.
Financial Planning for Road Upgrades
- With the final financial audit in Q2 of this year, Reno will regain access to grants and funding in May that can be used for road improvements.
- Reno’s new tax revenue plan ensures that at least 50% of the increased revenue will be allocated to road repairs
4. Keep Improving Clear Zoning Plans
Parker County is the 6th fastest-growing county in the United States—growth is inevitable. The question is: Will it be managed growth or wild growth? Reno’s zoning protections allow us to control development, protect property values, and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with new growth. If disincorporated, all zoning regulations disappear, leaving no safeguards against overcrowded developments, industrial expansion, or unwanted land use changes.
A Plan for Smart, Responsible Growth
Preserving Reno’s Character
- Reno will strengthen zoning protections to ensure growth enhances our community rather than overwhelming it. An experienced city manager can guide the process of improving the comprehensive and zoning regulations with Council.
Protecting Homeowners & Property Values
- Without zoning, high-density housing, RV parks, or industrial sites could be built next to homes with no legal recourse.
Ensuring Infrastructure Keeps Up
- Growth must be planned so that roads, water systems, and public services are not overburdened by uncontrolled development.
Balancing Opportunity & Livability
- Reno can attract investment without sacrificing quality of life by designating appropriate areas for business and residential growth.
The Financial Way Forward for Reno
Reno has faced significant financial challenges, but we are now on the path to stability, transparency, and long-term success. Years of financial mismanagement left the city without access to critical funding, forcing leadership to prioritize audits, restore financial accountability, and rebuild the foundation necessary for future growth. While these steps were not always visible, they were essential to securing Reno’s future.
Facing the Challenges Head-On
- Untangling years of mismanaged records took longer than expected, spanning two administrations and over three years of work.
- Reno’s financial instability left the city unable to access grants and loans, making it difficult to fund infrastructure improvements.
- Without completed audits, the city had limited financial flexibility and had to make difficult budget decisions.
A Turning Point: Completing the Audits
- Reno has successfully completed the most recent financial audit and has just one more audit left, expected to be finalized in Q2 of this year. We can start applying for grants as early as May 2025.
- Once completed, Reno will regain access to essential state and federal funding, allowing the city to invest in roads, water infrastructure, and other critical improvements.
The Property Tax Decision
- The recent tax rate increase was not taken lightly.
- Due to conflicting legal guidance, the city was forced to choose between the minimum or maximum rate, with no middle ground.
- The city understands that this decision was difficult for residents, but it was necessary to stabilize Reno’s finances after inheriting a backlog of incomplete audits.
- Moving forward, if the current tax rate stands, Reno is committed to lowering the tax rate as financial conditions improve and access to alternative funding is restored.
- If the new tax rate is voted down, the Council will seek to carefully manage resources, prioritize essential services, and maximize grant opportunities to continue investing in Reno’s future. While this will require adjustments, leadership remains committed to financial responsibility, maintaining core infrastructure, and ensuring the city continues to thrive.
Vote Against Disincorporation on May 3.
Early Voting - April 22-29
Register to Vote Before April 3.
Can I vote AGAINST disincorporation but FOR the tax reduction?
YES! The most important thing is to keep your voice and local control by saving the City of Reno.