Recently, Washoe County and the City of Reno approved language that will appear on the general election ballot: "Should the separate local governments of Reno and Washoe County pursue a consolidation of the two governments if such consolidation can be shown to reduce costs and/or improve service?"  While the question does not include Sparks, voters in Sparks will have a say.  After all, Sparks is an important part of Washoe County.   We believe both elected bodies of Reno and the County should examine the changes they desire but leave a city with a 105-year history the right of self governance.

 

Sparks is not interested in delegating decisions on the quality of its public services to others.  Consolidating the larger public functions we provide simply amounts to higher cost, more bureaucracy, and less responsiveness.  Sparks wants to remain cost effective and provide the services desired by Sparks, not by others.

 

According to the state demographer's office, in 2009, a total of 325,395 people reside in the City of Reno and unincorporated Washoe County.  A total of 91,237 lived in Sparks in 2009.  Assuming a consolidated Reno-Washoe governing body consisted of seven elected members, the citizen/representation ratio would be one elected official per 46,500 residents. In Sparks, the citizen/representation ratio based on six elected officials including a Mayor is one per 18,000 residents.

 

The idea that bigger government is more efficient is fundamentally wrong.  The bigger the government the more difficult it is to find a solution.  When was the last time you were successful getting anything done at the federal level?  The City of Sparks is in a position, being closest to its citizens, to be the most efficient because we are the most accountable. 

 

Sparks prides itself on its efficiency and willingness to adapt to the changing economic climate.  Under Nevada's tax and revenue system, the revenue components of each city have different outcomes.  Sparks receives $690 per resident for its General Fund.  Reno receives $790 per resident - a difference of 14.5 percent.  We also know that the cost per capita for Sparks Fire service is $231 per Sparks resident compared to $276 per resident in Reno.

 

We know too, that the Sparks building division is the most efficient in the region.  Sparks has a "one-stop-shop" for building permits and other needs.

 

Statistics for 2009 show Reno issued 5,371 building permits valued at $303.5 million.  A total of 16 full-time employees processed 336 permits each, equating to $19 million of valuation per employee. 

 

Washoe County processed 2,276 permits valued at $57.7 million using about 10 full-time employees.  This breaks down to 219 permits per full-time employee totaling $5.6 million in valuation per employee.

 

However, it was Sparks that led the way in efficiency, issuing 2,338 permits with a total valuation of $82.3 million and using less than 5 full-time employees to do the work.  This equates to 492 permits per employee, higher than Reno and Washoe, with a value of $17.3 million.  Sparks has the lowest building permit fees in the Truckee Meadows.  It is no surprise that last year, BusinessWeek Magazine announced that the City of Sparks was the best city for starting a business in Nevada.

 

These are more facts proving smaller government has greater control and is more responsive all the way around.