Two recall petitions that circulated over the summer have reportedly gathered enough signatures to initiate a special election aiming to remove two elected officials, Trustees Matthew Dent and Sara Schmitz, who currently hold the positions of Chair and Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees overseeing the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID).
The recall campaign, spearheaded by former board Chair Tim Callicrate and two Incline Village residents, has not only split the unincorporated community of Incline Village but also prompted discussions about the role of the government agency, IVGID, and its five-person Board of Trustees. These officials are elected every four years to establish policy, provide financial oversight, and strategize for the district’s charter, which encompasses providing water, sewer, trash, and recreation services for Incline Village and Crystal Bay.
Chair Dent, a board member since 2015, and Vice Chair Schmitz, appointed in January 2020 and elected in November 2020, are under scrutiny for their roles in a 2022 update to the recreation ordinance about a 1968 beach deed. The update was allegedly necessary to address overcrowding concerns and related litigation expenses.
However, the amendments inadvertently extended beach access privileges to non-resident IVGID employees and their guests, causing contention within the community. Critics argue that the ensuing discord, coupled with alleged micromanagement, has led to senior staff resignations and a decline in morale among the remaining staff.
The recall petitions accuse Trustees Schmitz and Dent of actions causing “severe financial and community damage” to Incline Village. While this characterization is subjective and arguable, it echoes the sentiments of some residents who have raised concerns about new regulations and restrictions impacting residents and IVGID staff. Furthermore, the recall petitions’ language has drawn attention to legal guidelines, with NRS 306.21 cautioning against misleading or misrepresentative language in recall petitions.
One significant development is the revelation of financial irregularities by a newly formed audit committee. It includes millions of dollars in unaccounted revenues, expenses, and a surplus charged to the community through recreation fees. Additionally, there were zero bank reconciliations for over a year and an out-of-balance general ledger.
One of the casualties of this financial oversight issue has been a local veterans club, which raises funds for veterans and the ROTC program through local events. Their operations continue to be impacted negatively due to IVGID’s failure to reconcile bank records since at least 2022.
A contentious point revolves around a proposed $25.6 million “grant” from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. While initially seen as an opportunity to enhance the existing recreation facility, disagreements over the project’s scope led to the withdrawal of the grant by the foundation.
The recall petitions’ signatures are currently undergoing verification, with the Secretary of State estimating a 20-business day period for completion. If the petitions gather the required 1,801 signatures for a recall, a special election in November will happen. Voters will decide whether to recall or retain the Trustees.
If recalled, the remaining Trustees will appoint two successors to complete Dent’s and Schmitz’s terms, which end on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. In the event of a split vote, the matter will go to the Washoe County Commissioners for resolution.
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