Consolidate Reno, Sparks and Washoe into one government: Craig

Darrell Craig | Reno Gazette-Journal

Why do we need three major governmental jurisdictions and several lesser governmental entities to serve a population of 435,000? What continues to drive the need for such duplication — egos, territorial protection, history, jealousy or stubbornness?

We have a countywide health district, one primary water purveyor, a consolidated Reno-Sparks sewage treatment facility, a countywide library system, a regional detention facility, one regional crime lab, a regional emergency operations facility, consolidated dispatch service, a countywide social services agency, a regional planning agency, a regional transportation agency, a single animal control agency and facility, a countywide senior services agency, a regional juvenile detention facility and a regional coroner.

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What this region does not need is three public works departments, three parks and recreation departments, three legal departments, three human resource departments, three budget directors, three facility managers, three road departments, three court systems, three building inspection and permitting departments, six police agencies counting the school district police, UNR police and Airport Authority police in addition to Reno and Sparks police departments and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, or four fire departments counting the Airport Authority Fire Department, Reno and Sparks fire departments and the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

The overlapping and duplication of functions and services in this relatively small area is unnecessary and expensive, and most importantly often results in uncoordinated and inferior service. (The planned consolidation of the TMCC and UNR police departments is a significant step in the right direction. Kudos to the two college presidents.)

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The three major jurisdictions should be consolidated into one metropolitan entity. An elected board of seven could adequately represent all of the citizens of the county. All 17 elected commissioners and council members could retain their consolidated positions and gradually be reduced by attrition and term limits. A department head for each major responsibility could be selected, based upon seniority or other criteria, from among the existing department heads. Management and staff could be reduced by attrition to eliminate the redundancy over time.

There would be no need for additional facilities, since space for all the functions currently exists. Some remodeling of existing space would be required and other short-term expenses will be incurred. No one would need to lose their job. Budget savings may not be realized in the first few years, but could be significant in future years.

The process of consolidating the three major jurisdictions will not be simple or painless, but the end result will be one more efficient government entity. Many legal issues will need to be addressed, but most importantly this end result will require council and commission members to have a long-range vision to ensure the good of all citizens.

When interviewing political candidates, I ask their opinion regarding regional consolidation, and the typical answer is “it would be too difficult” or “it can never happen.” It just might happen if everyone asked local candidates why it can’t happen.

Darrell Craig is a retired Washoe County facilities director.