Washoe County considers more cuts

RENO -- Washoe County is considering cutting more services and jobs as it faces a drop in property and sales taxes.

County Finance Director John Sherman told county commissioners this week that the Reno area might never get back to the growth pattern of the 1980s and 1990s.

Officials said the county has already lost 500 workers in two years to early retirement, attrition and layoffs. The sheriff's budget has been cut by 6 percent, courts by 12 percent, general government by 29 percent. Parks and libraries have been cut by more than a third.

County officials are projecting revenue will decline from $9.5 million to $24.5 million during the fiscal year that starts July 1.