Just when everyone thought the Registrar of Voters carousel might stop spinning, Commissioner Jeanne Herman assured us all was well. The hand-picked candidate would be "wonderful." Take a deep breath, relax - the drama's over, right?

Plot twist: It's Andrew McDonald. Yes, THAT Andrew McDonald.

Remember all those Board of County Commissioner meetings where we were told no staff time was being used for Drag Story Hour? Well, a 2023 public record from the Washoe County Library just blew that story wide open.

The Smoking Gun: Library Executive Director Jeff Scott's public records show "Comp time/staff reassignments" for these events. Let's be clear - comp time is still staff time, and staff time is still paid for by taxpayer dollars.

While Chair Alexis Hill celebrates her "exciting" homeless programs and County Manager Eric Brown gives presentations, people have died on Washoe County streets. This isn't hyperbole - it's the brutal reality our community faces.

These aren't just statistics. These are human beings - someone's parent, child, sibling, friend - perishing in the shadows of our city while county leadership pats itself on the back for programs that clearly aren't reaching everyone in need, and claims to have reduced homelessness in Washoe County by 40%.

So Washoe County keeps telling us Commission Chair Alexis Hill and County Manager Eric Brown have homelessness under control. Hill just told the Nevada Legislature’s Senate Committee on Government Affairs yesterday, February 3, 2025, that Washoe County has reduced homelessness by 40%.

Really? Let's do a reality check:

✦ The Nevada Cares Campus is bursting at the seams

✦ Tent cities are popping up faster than new coffee shops

✦ It took community activist Lily Baran to step up and open warming centers because... where was the county?

Once again, Washoe County is playing fast and loose with taxpayer dollars, serving up a masterclass in how NOT to manage public funds. Let's break down the latest installment of "Who Benefits?"

Exhibit A: The Seven Magic Mountains Boondoggle Remember those rocks that Commission Chair Alexis Hill decided must be relocated Northern Nevada via the Nevada Museum of Art? A cool $500,000 of taxpayer money, and what do we get?

One of our “sleuthie” readers ran into the attached document the Washoe County FY21-25 Strategic Plan – FY25 Update and while reading through it identified two interesting notations about the Washoe County Library.

Commissioner Mike Clark forwarded us a Daily Media Report from January 30, 2025, regarding the restoration of hot meals to local seniors, and we found something concerning. While the news itself was positive - seniors finally receiving warm meals after a 14-day interruption due to unexplained "permitting issues" with the temporary kitchen - we noticed a glaring omission.

Despite Picon's extensive coverage of this situation, including detailed reporting on seniors receiving cold sandwiches and later cold salads, our outlet was conspicuously absent from the Daily Media Report. This exclusion comes despite our constant coverage compared to mentioned outlets like RGJ, Channel 8, Channel 4, 2 News, and Fox 11.

The long-delayed revision of Reno's sign code is finally emerging from bureaucratic limbo, but the timing and process raise questions about transparency and public input. Perhaps most telling: the city has chosen to hold these crucial discussions virtually, limiting direct community engagement.

The pattern is familiar. Controversial issues were strategically postponed through the 2024 election cycle, protecting council members facing tight races. Consider Councilmember Kathleen Taylor's narrow victory margin of 287 votes over Frank Perez—a candidate known for his expertise in Reno city code. Meanwhile, downtown residents in the Palladio, Arlington Towers, Park Towers, and The Montage continue waiting for resolution on critical noise issues that were conveniently deferred.

Transparency in local government shouldn't be a game of hide and seek, yet Councilmember Kathleen Taylor appears to be testing those boundaries. Despite winning the Ward 1 election by a razor-thin margin of just 287 votes out of 14,463 cast, Taylor initially attempted to direct city business communications to a campaign email—a move that raises serious questions about public records accountability.

A crucial meeting about regionalizing fire services is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 8AM between the leaders of Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County. While the early meeting time may limit public participation, the potential financial impact on residents demands attention.

Mayors Hillary Schieve (Reno), Ed Lawson (Sparks), and Commission Chair Alexis Hill are collaborating with State Senator Skip Daly on a fire services regionalization plan that deserves closer scrutiny. The timing raises questions, as all three jurisdictions face significant budget deficits for 2026.

In an era when most politicians carefully sidestep controversial issues, Sparks City Council Member Joe Rodriguez (Ward 5) demonstrated rare courage by taking a clear stance on Trump's immigration orders through a heartfelt Facebook post.

This isn't about whether you agree or disagree with Rodriguez's position. It's about something far more fundamental: an elected official willing to stand up and be counted, to put their beliefs in writing, and to defend them openly. In today's political climate, such authenticity is as precious as it is rare.

While scrolling through other council members' social media feeds reveals the usual parade of handshakes and ceremonial appearances, Rodriguez chose to address an issue that deeply affects real families in his ward. While others post about ribbon cuttings, he's engaging with the human cost of policy decisions—families facing possible separation, fearful children, communities grappling with uncertainty.

Washoe County Communications Director Bethany Drysdale challenged our reporting standards. While she correctly notes that the county met the legal requirement for publishing notice of the February 6, 2025 meeting, this raises broader questions about meaningful public access and transparency.

Yes, the county fulfilled its minimum legal obligation under NRS code. However, other local governments, like the City of Sparks, demonstrate that earlier notification is both possible and beneficial for public engagement. The 8:00AM meeting time creates an additional barrier for working residents who wish to participate in their local government.

At the January 21, 2025, Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Mike Clark highlighted a striking contrast: the county hired over 300 new employees in 2024 while simultaneously facing what Our Town Reno reports as a $27 million budget deficit in 2026.

When contacted for comment, Clark offered to provide documentation from Washoe County explaining the rationale behind these hires. The county's defensive stance raises questions, particularly given County Manager Eric Brown's October 2024 warnings about reduced funding for the 2026 budget due to stagnant or declining tax revenues.

In 2012, Washoe County witnessed the consolidation of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and Reno Fire Department, fall apart.

For years, political candidates campaigned fervently for regionalization, emphasizing the potential cost savings that could be realized through consolidating not just fire departments but also law enforcement, parks and recreation, and even the formation of a unified regional government.

Fast forward to February 6, 2025, where the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County are once again embarking on the journey towards regionalization, specifically focusing on improving fire services. Interestingly, while the City of Sparks has demonstrated transparency by openly listing the meeting on their website, the City of Reno and Washoe County remain notably silent on the matter.

Could someone please point out to Washoe County Human Resources Staff that we are all able to count here in Washoe County. All you need to do is look at a “cal·en·dar” and you can see seniors were served cold meals for 14 days.

While watching the presentation yesterday by the Human Services team at the Washoe County Commissioner Strategic Planning meeting. Commissioner Mike Clark asked about the COLD MEALS seniors had been served for days, well actually 14 days. Adult and Senior Services, quickly answered 11. Really, 11?

In a performance worthy of a magician trying to make numbers disappear, Washoe County officials attempted to transform 14 days of cold meals into 11 through the magic of bureaucratic math. Spoiler alert: The seniors who endured two weeks of frigid fare aren't fooled.

At Washoe County’s Strategic Planning meeting yesterday, the performance of "How to Forget Your Campaign Promises," Commissioner Alexis Hill masterfully demonstrated the art of political pivoting. Remember that earnest candidate who swore to District 1 voters she wouldn't be "the commissioner" to raise taxes? Plot twist: She's auditioning for exactly that role.

You’ve been duped Distrcit 1 residents.

Hill, fumbling through alphabet soup (SGST? GST? Let's call it the "I-Promise-I-Won't-But-I-Will Tax"), seemed to be channeling the ghost of former Commissioner Bob Lucey's tax dreams. The only difference? She might actually have the votes to make it happen.

What started as a simple reader question about a downtown corner property has unraveled into an intriguing web of real estate connections that would make a detective's spidey senses tingle.

Remember our piece back on January 11, 2025, about the City of Reno's peculiar habit of playing Sugar Daddy to property owners through the ReStore program? You know, the one where taxpayers somehow got stuck with the bill for basic landlord responsibilities at Crak N' Grill - because apparently fixing broken windows and leaky roofs is now a public service. This is no fault of Crak N’ Grill’s they got the ReStore funding and can/should use it but their landlord should have taken care of basic building repairs.

In a masterclass of municipal mismanagement, Washoe County has transformed public service into a cynical shell game, with mental health patients and seniors as unwitting pawns.

Enter the “$32,000-Man” County Manager Eric Brown, maestro of magical thinking, preparing to perform his annual strategic planning workshop on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - a thinly veiled fundraising plea disguised as governmental transparency.

In a departure from their trusted mission, Washoe County staff have revealed a disturbing mindset that threatens the very principles of public discourse and documentation.

Within internal communications from 2023, a county employee's statement suggests a calculated strategy to suppress public commentary: "I agree, and again, if the commenters know their word aren’t going to be memorialized in writing, it’s possible they might stop making so many comments in the first place! On can hope, anyhow … “ Let that sink in. The institution traditionally celebrated as a sanctuary of free expression is contemplating silencing citizens by manipulating the record.

With the City of Sparks budget deficit, it seems “the powers that be” are hoping to avert layoffs due to lack of funds. The Sparks City Council on Monday will vote on Agenda Item 9.2 to establish a Voluntary Employee Separation Program not to exceed $2,200,000 from the general fund and $1,000,000 from all other funds, thus proving the City of Sparks is “Wishin’ and Hopin” that they have a whole bunch of interested employees saying goodbye.

But what about all that institutional knowledge that will be exciting the front door? Will Sparks become Washoe County Government who’s crack team can’t get a senior a hot meal?