Carson City Board of Supervisors to discuss redistricting, use of funds and strategic goals at special meeting
The Carson City Board of Supervisors will host a special workshop Monday, July 19 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Carson City Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.
During the special meeting, the Board will tackle three agenda items: a discussion regarding strategic goals and objectives, a discussion regarding the Carson City election redistricting process, and the city’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Fiscal Recovery Funds, and recommendations for spending.
Strategic goals and objectives
There will be a discussion held regarding Carson City’s goals and objectives, including:
- Economic development
- Efficient government
- Organizational culture
- Quality of life and community
- Safety
- Sustainable Infrastructure
To read the draft of the goals and objectives packet, click here.
Redistricting and Reapportionment
According to the agenda, the Redistricting and Reapportionment Working Group, consisting of the County Clerk’s Office, the GIS Department, Michael Baker International (GIS Consulting), the District Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Office, is actively engaged with discussions among other Nevada counties and with the state regarding the process.
The working group is anticipating purchasing redistricting software in late July or early August to begin testing the software application with test data.
Many clerks across Nevada have not been a part of the redistricting process before and will rely heavily on the input of those who have.
The cost for the redistricting software, Esri Redistricting, is $4,500 per year. The working group is anticipating purchasing the software as soon as possible to begin practicing using the software and test data.
Initial Steps:
The U.S. Census Bureau has indicated it will release 2020 Redistricting Data in final format by Sept. 30, 2021. Currently all counties are dependent on when the Nevada Legislature completes its’ redistricting of the following districts: United States House of Representatives, Nevada State Senate, Nevada State Assembly and the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.
This must be completed before the working group may begin working with the local boundaries for the Wards, School Districts and Precincts.
According to the agenda, the redistricting timeline is going to be “extremely tight” due to the 2022 election cycle and corresponding deadlines. The redistricting data is typically provided much earlier in the year preceding an election.
Findings of Limited Information Regarding Process:
- Ward boundaries are to be set by an ordinance.
- The Board must adopt the ordinance before the end of 2021.
- School District boundaries are set by the School Board adoption a resolution.
- The working group will work closely with the DA’s office throughout the process to make sure all required processes and deadlines are identified and followed.
To read the Redistricting packet, click here.
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Fiscal Recovery Funds
According to the agenda packet, the city’s allocation of ARP funds is $9.9 million, and the county allocation is $10.8 million for a total of $20.7 million.
The city will hold several meetings to engage the community in developing plans for the use of funds.
So far, there has been one meeting held on June 10 with ‘Coffee and Conversation’ with the Mayor
Ineligible payments include:
- Extraordinary payments into pension fund to reduce accrued / unfunded liability
- Interest and principal on outstanding debt
- Replenishing rainy day funds
- To offset tax cuts
Some suggestions for possible usage include:
- Hiring a Deputy Director for the Carson City Health and Human Services Department as well as a Disease Investigator and an Environmental Health Division Manager;
- Ventilation and HVAC system improvements;
- Services to address behavioral healthcare needs and assistance to non-profits such as mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention, affordable housing, rent subsidies and homelessness;
- New tennis courts at Centennial Park as well as new Pickleball courts at Mills Park;
- New Park restrooms,
- And more.
To see the full ARP funds packet, including all suggestions, click here.
To read the agenda in its entirety, click here.