Merger between Washoe County, Reno to be studied after voters back idea

RENO -- Washoe County and Reno city officials are making plans to study how much money they could save if the two governments merged now that voters have approved an advisory ballot measure supporting the possible consolidation.

Washoe County Question 2 prevailed in Tuesday's election by a vote of 54 percent to 46 percent.

Backers say such a merger could save taxpayers in the two jurisdictions more than $30 million a year by consolidating jobs and services. Critics say it would effectively result in turning Reno-Washoe into one of the nation's 50 largest cities, undermining Reno's historic identity as the "Biggest Little City in the World."