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Sparks Mayor

The job of mayor is primarily to:Oversee city operations and ensure effective governance.Represent the city at official functions and meetings.Develop and implement city policies and initiatives.Prepare and present the city budget to the council.Collaborate with local agencies and community organizations.Address constituent concerns and facilitate public engagement.Lead emergency response efforts during crises.Advocate for city needs at the state and federal levels.Appoint city officials and manage personnel matters.Promote economic development and community growth initiatives.

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  • Candidate picture

    Charlene Bybee
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Ed Lawson
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Diana L Mackey
    (NON)

  • Candidate picture

    Wendi M. Rawson
    (NON)

Biographical Information

What do you see as the most pressing challenges facing the city, and how would you address them?

What policies or initiatives, if any, would you support to address affordable housing in the city?

What strategies, if any, would you support to address homelessness in the city?

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Campaign Email edlawson4sparks@gmail.com
Campaign Phone Number 7757223173
Endorsements Washoe Education Association, Northern Nevada Central Labor Council,
Sparks faces a structural challenge: property tax revenues in Nevada don’t keep pace with inflation, limiting our ability to fund essential services. That must be addressed at the state level. At the same time, we are landlocked, with capacity for only about 6,000 more homes before we run out of space to grow. My long-standing push for a federal lands bill would allow Sparks to expand toward the Storey County employment center, supporting jobs and housing. I’ve spent years advocating for these solutions at every level of government. This isn’t theoretical. As vision is my strength, I’ve mapped out our future growth and continue pushing real action to avoid the economic strain we’ll face in the next 10–15 years.
The term “affordable housing” can be misleading. There are really two types: subsidized and market-rate. In Northern Nevada, our biggest challenge is limited land. Growth boundaries and surrounding federal lands restrict expansion, which limits supply and drives up prices. To address this, we need access to more land so we can build more homes. Increasing supply is the most effective way to stabilize and reduce housing costs. While subsidized housing is important, funding is limited and highly competitive. Expanding land access and supporting responsible development are key to improving housing options.
Sparks has taken a proactive, collaborative approach to homelessness that I would continue to support. During the pandemic, Sparks partnered with Washoe County and Reno to build the Cares Campus using federal funds, creating a centralized and safer place for services. Locally, our HOPE Team (Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement) includes three dedicated officers focused on connecting individuals with resources, support, and, when necessary, addressing warrants. This approach balances compassion with accountability and public safety. Washoe County is responsible for indigent care, so regional coordination is critical. Overall, Sparks is ahead in addressing homelessness in a safe, structured, and empathetic way.
Campaign Email mackey4sparks@gmail.com
Campaign Phone Number 7752875880
Because the city of Sparks is growing faster than its infrastructure and budget can handle, there is pressure on roads, emergency response, and city services. Coupled with that, housing costs are having an effect on working families and seniors. Development has been going nonstop because of the relationships that elected officials in Sparks have with developers and other special interests. The need for revenue drives this. My ideas include: Quarterly town halls in each of the 5 Wards, to rebuild trust in government. Develop a better relationship with the NV Legislature to ensure that Sparks gets its fair share of State revenue. To show independence and integrity, I take no donations from organizations that may try to buy influence

I support any initiative that creates more affordable housing for singles, working families and seniors. I would support partnering with developers to support affordable housing projects. I would also work with non-profits like Habitat for Humanity to help rehabilitate older neighborhoods BEFORE they are beyond repair. I would also enforce city codes that would keep rental properties from ruination. Sparks needs to develop long term plans so seniors can age in their homes and not be forced to move in with family or to assisted living. Sparks leadership needs to work with State and Federal programs to ensure that Sparks is getting their maximum share of available funds.

There are programs in Sparks that are effective, but with more funds could be even better. The Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement (HOPE) program connects individuals to the Cares Campus and Our Place. This is a program through the Sparks Police Department. Only 5 states don't have a state lottery. NV needs a state lottery that would create more funding for the Sparks Police Department so they can grow this program. I would also encourage a robust grant writing program to apply for funds to support mental health, substance abuse and homeless initiatives. I have visited Our Place and am waiting for a date and time to visit the CARES campus. As Mayor i would visit those facilities on a regular basis and get updates on their needs.
Campaign Email wendiformayor26@yahoo.com
Campaign Phone Number 7753760197
Endorsements Washoe Freedom Coalition; Washoe GOP; Convo Church; UFF Church
Sparks' biggest challenge is a lack of consistent, forward-thinking leadership. That has led to budget deficits, growing traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, public safety pressures, and rising cost of living. Growth is happening, but without a clear long-term plan to guide it. Leadership is not simply approving projects--it's setting direction. Sometimes the right answer is no. Sparks needs a defined vision and a measurable master plan so we can align growth with infrastructure, protect quality of life, and ensure decisions are made for residents - not just short-term convenience.
We need housing that is both attainable and responsibly planned. Today, government fees and taxes can add up to $100,000 to the cost of a home. That directly impacts affordability. We must reduce unnecessary cost burdens while maintaining fiscal stability. I will work with the state to update the C-Tax formula so Sparks receives a fair share -- potentially increasing revenue by about $15 million annually -- reducing pressure to raise local costs. I also support public-private partnerships to expand workforce housing, ensuring affordability solutions do not fall on taxpayers, but are shared with employers and developers who benefit from growth.
Homelessness requires both compassion and accountability. It is not a single issue --mental health, substance abuse, and personal circumstances all require different responses. A one-size fits-all approach will not work. We need coordinated solutions that combine local government, regional partners, and the faith-based community to deliver targeted services more effectively. At the same time, we must maintain public safety and community standards. By improving efficiency in how resources are used, we can better address this human challenge with both care and responsibility.