Reno fire engine staffing question won’t appear on November ballot

RENO -- Reno voters won't be asked in November whether the city should cut the number of firefighters on engines from four to three in order to save money.

But the City Council will go forward with an advisory question asking voters whether they want to combine county and city governments to improve services or reduce costs.

Councilman Dave Aiazzi on Wednesday withdrew the proposed fire engine staffing question, saying the city didn't have enough information about the issue to meet a Monday deadline for submitting ballot measures.

The city firefighters union has filed a complaint with a state board opposing the ballot question as a violation of a contract provision for four-person fire engine crews.

The contract expired June 30. Both sides are scheduled to meet with a fact-finder in November.