Washoe County Chair Unlawfully Cancels Meeting

Washoe County Commission Chairwoman Alexis Hill has stirred another controversy by unilaterally canceling the upcoming Tuesday, March 12, county board meeting, citing a scheduling conflict due to her role as Chairwoman of the Tahoe Transportation District.

Despite the availability of a quorum for the meeting, Hill instructed County Manager Eric Brown to reschedule two upcoming meetings due to her commitments. Insiders within the county government are expressing outrage, suggesting that Hill’s cancellation was motivated by the anticipation of a significant presence of homeless advocates and related organizations planning to protest a proposed ordinance banning living in cars on public roadways.

Supported by Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam and already adopted by the City of Reno and the City of Sparks, the ordinance has become a contentious issue. With Hill facing reelection, some insiders speculate that her decision to cancel the meeting is politically motivated to avoid a controversial vote.

Critics within the county government argue that Hill’s actions have effectively halted county business and question her leadership during this crucial time. They point to the historical custom of the chair relinquishing their position when running for reelection, citing former Washoe County Commission Chair Bob Lucey’s example.

Commissioner Mike Clark, who defeated Lucey in a previous election, weighed in, questioning the necessity of Hill’s cancellation given the presence of a quorum and highlighting the importance of including the rest of the board in such decisions.

Hill’s Republican challenger, Marsha Berkbigler, condemned the cancellation, emphasizing the importance of addressing the concerns of constituents and the homeless population. She argued that the meeting should proceed as planned to allow the county to conduct its business on behalf of the people.

And while on the subject of Hill, questions have arisen over her dual roles as both a candidate and as the Chair of the County Commissioners.

As the Commission Chair, Hill oversees the Registrar of Voters (ROV) office and has a close relationship with the ROV and the County Manager, raising concerns about potential biases and lack of impartiality.

Allegations of the purposeful suppression of election integrity resolutions have cast a shadow over Hill’s tenure, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into these troubling claims. Making the situation worse is an ongoing lawsuit against Hill, personally and in her official capacity, for alleged mal-feasance and election violations.

Despite mounting concerns from citizens and advocacy groups, the response from various entities, like law enforcement, including Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balam and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, state officers like Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, state legislators, civil rights groups, and political parties, has been noticeably muted.