Hey, Taxpayers -Has TMFPD Been Burning Through Your Money?
Why is the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District all but broke? Could it be those boated salaries being paid to upper management at the department, you know, not the boots on the ground fire firefighters? Could it be the large increases approved by Chief Charlie Moore to his direct reports before his departure? How about a little bit of all of the above.
As usual the powers that be at TMFPD neglected to take into account (but they sure are now quick to explain declining property tax revenue, hence, skipping an explanation of their poor management of taxpayers money) -
Declining Property Tax Revenue (76% of their budget) : Over the years, TMFPD has experienced a reduction in property tax revenues, which are a significant portion of its funding. This decline has been attributed to factors such as the termination of interlocal agreements and economic downturns affecting property values. This is Reno
For TMPFD taxpayers, the current "fire (property) tax" is $0.54/$100AV.
Increased Operational Costs: The district has faced rising expenses, including the need for infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades. https://www.kolotv.com
Staffing and Service Expansion: Efforts to enhance services, such as the addition of paramedic fire engines and the restructuring of volunteer services, require additional funding. While these initiatives aim to improve service delivery, they also contribute to the district's financial pressures. Washoe Life
Oh, and those pesky bloated administrative salaries.
A recent Collective Bargaining Agreement approved by the Washoe County Fire Board (AKA the Washoe County Commissioners) on May 6, 2025 had a fiscal impact $2.3 million in 2024/2025 and an additional $1.7 million 2025/2026 - so approximately $4 million over two years. Remember the firefightrs are trying to catch up to the administratiove side because there is such a gap in pay.
This isn’t just what’s happening at TMFPD but it pertains to City of Reno Fire and City of Sparks Fire - the unions want big fat raises for the firefighters to catch up with administrative employees, but the revenue is no longer coming in to support these bloated collective bargaining agreements. We’re even willing to use the word “greed” to define what is happening to fire in northern Nevada.
For more detailed financial information, you can refer to TMFPD's audit reports and budget documents available on their official website.