Washoe County, with a population of approximately 3.1 million people, is grappling with controversies surrounding the salary of County Manager Eric Brown.
Brown, who presently earns over $331,000 per year, is under scrutiny for a proposed salary increase and benefits package that could significantly boost his compensation, which comes as the average salary in Reno is $51,235 per year. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, overseeing over 3.1 million people, makes only $163,474 yearly.
The Washoe County Board of Commissioners (WCBC) recently discussed actions to extend Brown’s employment agreement, raise his salary, approve a lump-sum bonus, and extend his severance package. Brown has received substantial annual raises since his hiring in 2019, totaling a 30 percent increase in base pay, excluding bonuses and cost-of-living adjustments.
There are concerns after the decision to hire a consultant from Fuse Corp to develop plans for reducing emissions and enhancing climate resiliency. The move aligns with Washoe County’s Green Recovery Plan, striving for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Brown released the plan in April 2022, citing a 2019 Nevada law mandating a net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
In June 2023, Brown drew attention to the need for a substantial overhaul of Washoe County’s election system. An 80-page audit by the Democratically-aligned ‘The Elections Group’ revealed errors and confusion in the election process, recommending additional staff, enhanced training, and increased resources.
Further, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging department, falling under Human Resources, has been a point of discussion. Brown acknowledged a perceived lag in addressing equity and inclusion issues within the county’s strategic plan, expressing a desire to deploy these principles more pervasively to serve underserved communities.
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