Carson City Board of Supervisors OKs revised NNDA contract

A revised plan for Northern Nevada Development Authority to woo outside industry to Carson City while helping local manufacturers was approved Thursday.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for the contract revision to have the authority — also known as NNDA — of trying to leverage the Tesla Motors’ decision to build a battery factory in Storey County so other firms are lured here. Danny Campos, an NNDA vice president, explained the changed emphasis and promised quarterly updates on progress regarding the two-pronged approach.

Initially, the contract for about $150,000 called for first-year emphasis on helping local manufacturers grow but City Manager Nick Marano and NNDA decided to take advantage of the Tesla effect because it heightened interest in this area from outside industry. Supervisor Jim Shirk, who earlier opposed the pact, said he voted Thursday for this change to take advantage of that Tesla impact.

The board also on Thursday approved on first reading a proposal to allow a state-authorized fee of $10 on court actions to support programs for prevention and treatment of alcohol or drug abuse.

Board members approved on first reading an ordinance to do a refunding bond issue of V&T Historical bond to save money. Finance Director Nick Providenti estimated the savings could amount to about $830,000 over the life of the bond issue, which in present value savings amounts to some $728,000.

In addition, the board awarded various contracts. Among them was one to K.G. Walters for up to $524,500 to come from the capital projects construction account in the sewer fund to handle a sodium hypochlorite tank replacement project at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.