RENO HISTORY:
 

     The City of Reno, Lamar County, Texas, was incorporated in 1966 and the population was estimated at 310. The 1990 Census resulted in a population count of 1,784. Currently, the population is 2,767 according to the 2000 Census. Resulting in a 55% increase in population over the past 10 years. Reno is the second largest incorporated city in Lamar County.

Reno is a Type “A” General Law Municipality as of July 10, 1989 and is governed by a Mayor and five Council Members. They are elected at-large to a non-salaried two year term. The election occurs on the first Saturday in May. The candidates must reside in the city limits of Reno a minimum of six months. Regular Council meetings are held the second Monday of the month. The City is also served by two Commissions: a Street Commission (meets the first Monday of the month) and a Planning & Zoning Commission (meets the last Monday of the month).
 

In September, 2002, in a special election, the citizens voted to establish a Reno Crime Control and Prevention (CC & P) District. The District’s purpose is to supplement the existing Reno Police Department by providing funds for manpower and equipment to fight crime and promote citizen participation in various programs. These funds are generated by the one-half (1/2) cent sales and use tax increase that became effective January, 2003 (bringing the rate to 8.25% - same as the City of Paris). The Reno CC & P District Board meets every third Monday when needed.
 

A copy of the Budget is available at City Hall. Appropriations for the General Fund are generated by sales tax, franchise taxes (which include Lamar Electric Cooperative, TXU Electric, Southwestern Bell Telephone, Cox Communications, to name a few) , property tax, municipal court fines, trash collection, building, plumbing, electrical permits, and interest income. Expenses include employee salaries (city administrator, city secretary and the police department), funds to support the Reno Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, certificates of obligation, street lights, capital improvements to streets, street maintenance, drainage improvements, Reno park maintenance, professional fees (attorney and engineer), along with other various operating expenses.

In 1983 the city began distributing purchased water and operating their own wastewater treatment plant for it’s citizens. Water is purchased from Lamar County Water Supply District through a water stand pipe and master meters fed off their lines. Although the treatment plant is a part of the city’s operations it is bound by different guidelines and restrictions. Therefore, the operation of the water and wastewater departments are independent of the General Fund and are operated out of the System Fund.
 

 Revenues for the System Fund are generated by water and sewer fees, water and sewer tap fees and service charges. Expenses include employee salaries (public works supervisor, three fill-time field personnel and a utilities specialist), revenue bonds, water purchases (from Lamar County Water Supply), water and sewer line maintenance, including various other operating expenses.
 

These user fees began in 1983 at $8.50 for the first 1,000 gallons and $2.05 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter for the water and $7.50 for the first 2,000 gallons and $1.25 each 1,000 gallons thereafter for sewer set yearly based on an average of the three winter months (December, January, and February). The current user fees for water is $14.55 for the first 1,000 gallons and $4.72 for each 1,000 gallons used thereafter; out-of-city water rates: $29.10 for the first 1,000 gallons and $9.44 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter; for residential sewer it is $20.00 for the first 1,000 gallons and $1.75 for each 1,000 gallons used thereafter (based on average use during the winter months each year, calculated every March) and commercial sewer rates: $20.00 for the first 1,000 gallons and $1.75 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter based water consumption. Private well users who are on city sewer pay $20.00 flat rate. Residential trash is $11.25 (plus sales tax) per month for once a week trash pickup.
 

The number of water meters read in August, 2008 was 1,240. The cost of living still remains lower in Reno than in the surrounding cities. Reno is a growing city and shows no sign of abating due to the number of people wanting to reside and operate their businesses here.
 

With all of this growth, in the residential and commercial development areas, the City Council approved the construction of a new city hall facility (cover photo). We occupied the building in June, 2001. The facility houses all of the existing personnel plus the Police Department and a larger council chambers area. We encourage anyone to come by and take a look at our facility.