Storey County adopts 2026–27 final budgets and approves fire district capital purchases

The Storey County Board of County Commissioners on May 5 approved the county’s 2026–27 final budgets and a series of fire‑district capital purchases and plan updates.

Comptroller Jennifer McCain told the board that final adjustments increased overall expenses by about $930,000 to $47,374,119 and projected a general‑fund ending balance near $14,000,000. "These transfers had to be put into the budget to balance the tentative budget," McCain said, summarizing the changes that included liability insurance, capital projects and additional transfers to infrastructure.

As the board convened as the Story County Fire Protection District board, Fire Chief Bob Reiser reviewed a revised capital‑improvement plan for fiscal years 2026–2031. Reiser said recent revenues and shifting equipment needs made it possible to accelerate some purchases, but supply delays and customization have increased downtime for current apparatus. "We're finding that for those apparatus, they're out of service about 50% of the time," Reiser said, arguing for replacement and reserve apparatus to improve reliability.

The commission approved the SCFPD five‑year CIP and the district’s final budget by unanimous votes. The board also authorized capital expenditures totaling $800,000 for wildland‑division equipment and up to $495,000 for EMS equipment, including ambulance gurney power‑load systems and related items; Reiser noted vendor changes that reduced per‑unit costs.

McCain warned that staffing negotiations with the fire union remain unresolved and could require budget adjustments when finalized. The board directed staff to proceed with the spending and budget submittals; motions carried unanimously.

Provenance: Topic begins with Chief Reiser's presentation and budget discussion and concludes with the board votes approving the CIP and related capital purchases.