Candidate meet up (April)

At the last candidate meet up, residents were able to submit their own questions. One of the questions was directed to me.

The question is “Colosi: How are you planning to pay for public safety?

Any idea on how much the general fund is used for Public Safety by cities on average?”

My answer

Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of any city—and it’s fair to ask how we plan to pay for it.

Across the country, cities typically dedicate 30–60% of their general fund to public safety, with total spending often reaching $10–15 million annually in communities our size. The majority of that funding usually goes toward police services.

Right now, our city is in a unique position. When Fernley incorporated, there was little long-term planning in place for how to sustainably fund fire, EMS, and police services, including how to fully leverage tools like C-tax revenue. As a result, we currently rely heavily on Lyon County to provide critical public safety services.

At this time, there are no formal interlocal agreements in place for fire and EMS services. Until we are in a position to build out our own fully staffed departments, it’s essential that we strengthen collaboration with Lyon County to ensure consistent and reliable coverage for our residents.

The city currently allocates approximately $800,000 toward “plans.” While planning is important, we need to take a hard look at how those funds are being used. A portion of that funding could be redirected toward improving public safety resources now—whether that’s equipment, staffing support, or strengthening partnerships.

Because we are already supported by Lyon County, we don’t need to immediately reach the $10–15 million level that many cities spend. However, we should be strategic in how we invest—making smart, incremental improvements that increase safety while building toward long-term independence.

Our goal should be simple: safer neighborhoods, responsible budgeting, and a clear path forward for sustainable public safety.