Northern Nevada voters overwhelmingly supported incumbents at the local level while also failing to fund basic county services.
A ballot initiative funding critical Washoe County library services such as staffing and purchasing books failed, while proposed taxes in Carson City to close a growing deficit in the road-repair budget and fund much-needed work also were turned down by voters.
Meanwhile, county commission incumbents in Washoe County and Carson City kept their seats, as did Carson City’s mayor. Races in Sparks remain too close to call.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers of major ballot questions and political races across Washoe County and Carson City, as well as what’s still at stake in Sparks.
Washoe County Library Expansion Fund
Washoe County voters showed underwhelming support for their public libraries by failing to extend a 30-year tax initiative dedicated to funding the Washoe County Library System.
The ballot initiative would have dedicated 2 cents for every $100 of assessed property value to Washoe County libraries for maintenance, operation and construction — it is estimated $4.5 million would have been generated through it in the coming fiscal year.