On the Agenda: A City of Reno Podcast

Did you know that if you spend $100 and pay sales tax of $8.27, only $0.69 makes its way back to the Biggest Little City through C-Tax? In Episode 11 of On the Agenda, we examine Consolidated Tax (C-Tax), a vital revenue source that funds nearly one-third of Reno’s General Fund. We're joined by Director of Finance Vicki Van Buren and Urban Economist Jason Gortari to hear how it works, why it matte...

Similar to how preventative maintenance on your vehicle could prevent major damage down the road, maintaining sewer pipes today can prevent costly repairs tomorrow! To understand more about the sewer utility system, we are joined by Trina Magoon, Director of Utility Services, and John Flansberg, Regional Infrastructure Administrator. They explain how our underground wastewater system works, why ma...

In Episode 9 of On the Agenda, we discuss a challenging but necessary topic: staff reductions in response to a projected $25 million shortfall for Fiscal Year 2027. City Manager Jackie Bryant is joined by two guests: Director of Finance Vicki Van Buren, who breaks down the factors behind this decision, including slow revenue growth and economic uncertainty, and Chief Examiner for the Civil Service...

There were over 1,200 bills introduced at the State Legislature this session, with 500 of them directly affecting Reno. Nic Ciccone, Government Affairs Manager, joins us to discuss some of these bills, including one that secured $5.25 million in rental assistance, ADUs, and cocktails to go! We also take a look at what happened at last week's council meeting, including sponsorship of 35 events,...

While it may seem counterintuitive, utilizing overtime can actually be cost-effective! During the Reno City Council Meeting on June 4th, a presentation was given on the usage of overtime in public safety. It was explained that in the long run, overtime can actually cost less than hiring a new full-time employee and that these expenses are often reimbursed through grants or special events. With rec...

In the latest episode, we delve into the recent Reno City Council Meeting, where an important topic was discussed: Community Engagement. The City is embarking on an initiative to assess and propose methods to improve engagement locally with our community. Cynthia Esparza, the Director of Community Engagement and Services, joins us to shed light on this endeavor. Tune in as we explore current ways...

You've probably heard of Tax Increment Financing (or TIF), but what exactly is it, and how does it work? On the latest episode of "On The Agenda," Reno City Manager Jackie Bryant talks with Bryan McArdle, Revitalization Manager at the City of Reno, about a Tax Increment Financing Plan approved at the recent Reno City Council | Redevelopment Agency Board meeting and what that means fo...

In Episode 4, we dive into the topic of Parks funding with Nathan Ullyot, the Director of Parks and Recreation! We will discuss the actions taken during the April 23 Council Meeting, including next steps for ADUs, adjustments to agendas to reduce confusion for the public and media, as well as several grants for Parks and Recreation programs, which include adaptive mountain biking, the River Ranger...

At the April 9, 2025, Council Meeting, the Reno City Council discussed a budget augmentation. But what exactly is a budget augmentation, and how does the City fund its budget? In the third episode of "On the Agenda," we welcome Vicki Van Buren, Director of Finance, to discuss budget augmentations and simplify city funding! Additionally, we preview a few topics on the agenda for the upcom...

In the second episode of "On the Agenda," we look at three agenda items approved at the March 26 Reno City Council meeting that resulted in almost $8 million allocated toward street rehabilitation and preventative maintenance projects. Reno City Manager Jackie Bryant is joined by Kerrie Koski, Director of Public Works, to discuss what this means for the Biggest Little City! We also briefly touched...

In this episode, we explore the essential elements of agendas and council meetings to keep you updated on the issues impacting your city.