'Binders in Sparks'

Ward 5 Councilmember Kristopher Dahir's post 

Councilmember Dahir appears to be showcasing his commitment to his job by emphasizing the extensive amount of reading and preparation that goes into his role within the City of Sparks. With an annual salary of $61,190.62, along with additional benefits totaling $33,575.17, Dahir certainly has a financially rewarding position for a combined annual of $97,765.79.

From TransparentNevada 

Beyond the stereotypical image of attending two council meetings per month, Dahir’s duties extend to various activities including participating in community events, liaising with constituents, and engaging with different interest groups. Noteworthy is his involvement in high-profile gatherings such as the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off and VIP dinners at events the City of Sparks purchases pricey tables to (with taxpayer dollars), oh, and let’s not forget dancing at the 4th of July celebration. Some of the meetings with constituents, include fat cat developers, special interests’ lobbyists, and folks like that who contribute campaign funds to Dahir – a good example is Blake Smith from 5 Ridges.

Dahir points out he serves on eleven (11) boards, one being the NNPH (Northern Nevada Public Health) board, in fact he’s the chair. We Googled to learn that the meeting schedule for the District Board of Health are normally held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. One meeting per month.

We learned that TMWA (Truckee Meadows Water Authority) meets once per month, the next meeting is September 19, 2024, at the Sparks City Council Chambers at 745 4th Street, Sparks from 10AM to Noon. One meeting per month.

WRWC (Western Regional Water Commission) meets once a month, and it seems they try to do things that coincide with TMWA – so we guess water likes to flow together. One meeting per month.

Dahir is on EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada) – we couldn’t find a meeting schedule but once per month seems to be the way these groups meet. Or upon further investigation this might be a quarterly meeting.

We finally checked the City of Sparks website to learn all the boards and commissions Councilmember Dahir must read and study up on. We learned not eleven boards as Dahir alluded to in his post:

• Community Homelessness Advisory Board

• EDAWN

• National League of Cities

• Nevada League of Cities, President

• Regional Planning Governing Board, alternate

• Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), alternate 

• Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) Board of Directors, Vice Chair

• Washoe County District Board of Health, Board Chair

• Western Regional Water Commission – Vice Chair

City of Sparks Website listing

He’s on the CHAB (Community Homelessness Advisory Board) who didn’t meet for eight months September 2023 until May 2024 so not a lot of homework.

Regarding the Regional Planning Governing Board, we didn’t find his name listed, but he’s an alternate and Regional Transportation Commission where Dahir is an alternate he will only be called upon when Mayor Ed Lawson can’t make the meeting, so little or no reading for either.

We count about six meetings per month that he would get a big old binder with tabs as he has in the photo. Showing how much studying he really is doing for the citizens of Sparks.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is an organization comprised of city, town and village leaders that are focused on improving the quality of life for their current and future constituents. They seem to have Zoom meetings, gatherings, and an annual conference, this year’s in Tampa Bay on November 13-16, 2024. We’re going to ask the City of Sparks what taxpayer dollars have been spent by Dahir on travel for National League of Cities gatherings, and if any other city councilmember attend and that cost.

National League of Cities 2024 City Summit 

Let’s not forget Nevada League of Cities, where the City of Sparks website lists Dahir as the President of this organization, which does not appear to be correct per the Nevada League of Cities website. Again, it seems there are a whole lot of meetings about various topics. The mission statement “Create a unified Association of Every Municipality in Nevada for Member Autonomy, Fiscal Prosperity, Mutual Aid, and Political Strength” – yeah, right.

Nevada League of Cities Board of Directors

It appears to be a regurgitation of the National League of Cities on a state level. They have an upcoming Annual Conference at Tahoe Blue Events Center on October 10-12, 2024. Picon is going to attend this conference to learn exactly what this group does because it seems they are legislative centered.

We’re also going to ask the City of Sparks for the costs to taxpayers for travel to and from this group for City of Sparks employees and elected. This one makes us ponder the expense, as does NLC – and we believe more than one council member attends. Why? A single council member could attend and report back to the others, wouldn’t that be more fiscally responsible.

NV League of Cities Annual Conference 2024

These last two organizations remind us of how council members move up, you know, learn to run for other offices through the contacts they make. Staying on the gravy train of elected positions. These conferences seem to be big “meet and greets” for elected offices so their reach increases, as does their contact list of movers and shakers.

Through a lens of satire, the progression of council members like Kristopher Dahir and their pursuit of higher offices through networking events and conferences unveils a subtle narrative of ambition intertwined with civic duties. Such observations prompt a critical evaluation of the value proposition that elected officials bring to their constituents.

In the case of Kristopher Dahir, we were reminded of his 1.5 year run (2021/2022) for Nevada Secretary of State, where he lost to “none of the above” in the primary. During that run, how much did he study to be a council member? Did he have the time while traveling the state? He still took the monthly paycheck from the citizens of the City of Sparks for being the Ward 5 representative.

What the citizens of Sparks need to ask themselves “are you getting your money’s worth” to give Dahir another four years.