Sparks City Council Sewer Rate Study Workshop and Meeting Highlights for April 14, 2025

Julie Duewel
Communications Manager
jduewel@cityofsparks.us
(775) 353-7894

Sparks, NV - The following are highlights from the April 14, 2025, Sparks City Council sewer rate study workshop and Sparks City Council meeting.

Sparks City Council Sewer Rate Study Highlights:

Council directed the city manager to take appropriate steps to increase sewer rates as follows:

• User rates: 6% increase in FY26, 5% increase in FY27-FY30, and 4% increase in FY31
• Connection fee: increase to $18,439 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) in FY26 with future adjustments based on the construction cost index
• Septage rates: increase residential rates to $.11 per gallon and increase industrial and commercial rates to $.13 per gallon in FY26 with future adjustments based on a consumer price index. Council also directed the city manager to look into a surcharge for septage that originated outside of Washoe County.

Sparks City Council Meeting Highlights:

Announcements, Presentations, Recognition Items, and Items of Special Interest:

• Mayor Ed Lawson proclaimed April 13-19 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week to honor the dedicated 911 dispatchers who serve as the critical lifeline between the public and first responders.
• Mayor Ed Lawson proclaimed April Fair Housing Month to recognize and uphold equal housing rights, raise awareness of discrimination, and foster an inclusive community.
• Mayor Ed Lawson proclaimed the last Friday in April as Labor Day to recognize the environmental benefits of trees and encourage our community to plant and care for them.
• Grants Administrator Mel Evans gave an update on two grant applications in process: $29,000 from the National Fire Chiefs Association for green waste dumpster rentals with no match required, and $297,911 from the Nevada Department of Emergency Management for goat grazing on 65 acres at TMWRF, with a $99,303 match.

General Business

Council approved:

• A resolution to amend the process for appointing members to the Citizens Advisory Committee, and to dissolve the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board, and Sparks Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.
• The adoption of a resolution to augment the FY25 Capital Projects Funds, Enterprise Funds, and Internal Services Funds by $21,617,293 to provide appropriations for capital projects approved but not completed in prior years.
• The Reno Housing Authority's proposal to develop affordable housing at 2026 I Street.
• The $1,000,000 agreement with Washoe County for the Sparks Police Department to provide forensic services from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025.
• The $1,000,000 agreement with Washoe County for the Sparks Police Department to provide forensic services from July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026.
• A $1,508,371.30 construction contract with Peek Brothers Construction, Inc. for the G Street Sewer Improvements and TMWA Water Main Relocation.
• A $472,155.00 construction contract with Resource Development Company LLC for the Springland Sewer Improvements Project.

Public Hearing and Action Items Unrelated to Planning and Zoning

Council held public hearings and approved the following:

• A resolution allowing up to $23,000,000 of public finance authority revenue obligations for the benefit of The Afton at Sparks Marina, LLC for purposes of Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, at no cost or obligation to the City of Sparks.
• An estimated $42,182 in FY25 cost increase with the International Association of Fire Fighters Loal 731 for a memorandum of understanding amending the collective bargaining agreement regarding medic units.
• The amendment to update the Sparks Municipal Code with the latest building and construction codes, to take effect on January 1, 2026.