Carson City Board of Supervisors to consider connection fee increases for new users

The Board of Supervisors will consider water and sewer connection fee increases for new users and a $5.3 million contract for a an energy-related building project.

The board’s lengthy and varied agenda Thursday also includes an annual performance review for Nick Marano, city manager; new technology, water and insurance contracts; and the appeal of a special use permit for a church denied by the Planning Commission in March.

The utility connection charges come after the city lowered rates in 2009 to encourage development during the economic downturn.

The board will hear the first reading of two ordinances to phase in over a five-year period higher water and sewer connection fees, which would equalize old and new users’ investment in infrastructure and fund capital investments.

The proposed rates have been discussed since 2013, when a sewer and water rate analysis study by FCS Group was presented to the board.

Since then, the plan has been reviewed by the Nevada Builders Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce.

The ordinances will be heard after the board returns from lunch at approximately 1:30 p.m.

The $5.3 million contract, heard just before the meeting breaks for lunch, is connected to an energy audit conducted by Ameresco Inc.

The project will be self supporting, paid for through energy savings realized through the audit that will, at a minimum, cover the interest and principal on bonds issued, according to Marano.

The item this week is preliminary step so the city can go to debt management and notify the Department of Taxation and also allow the city to apply for federally-subsidized Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds, he said.

More information on the project itself will be available at Thursday’s meeting and the board is expected to get a detailed presentation on it for approval in August, Marano said.

The board will vote to approve a five-year master lease agreement with Dell not to exceed $200,000 which would enable the city to buy technology products without going to the board for approval for each purchase.

The board will also take a vote on moving the city’s geographic information systems services from Douglas County, which currently provides service, to Michael Baker International for an amount not to exceed $100,000.

The supervisors will consider a contract not to exceed $60,000 with Resource Concepts Inc. to manage the city’s filings and work with the Nevada Division of Water Resources.

The board will vote to renew the city’s health and dental insurance contract with Prominence Health Plan, which covers both employees and retirees.

The HMO/POS rate for employees is not increasing while the dental plan is going up 1.8 percent. The PPO out-of-state retiree plan, which covers three retirees, has a 12.7 percent increase to be paid by the retirees.

The board also will consider spending $61,256.22 on 23 Motorola handheld radios for first responders.

The Board of Supervisors meets at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.