Several residents and students used the public-comment period to press the city on homelessness and to oppose a proposed first-responder transport fee.

Students and residents cited local shelter occupancy and countywide counts. Nicholas Savigny cited media reporting that Washoe County's homeless population reached about 1,760 in 2024 and noted shelters such as SafeCampus and the Nevada Cares campus were operating near capacity. Juliana Torres and Grace (identified in the record as Grace Bridal) described drivers of homelessness including housing shortages, addiction and mental-health needs, and urged a combination of expanded shelter funding, treatment access, job training and protections for existing low-income units.

On the proposed first-responder fee, several speakers objected. Jesus Malo described a proposed fee of about $527 charged when the city's fire department provides medical attention but hands off transport to another agency, arguing it would burden residents who already struggle to pay for groceries and noting an estimate given in his remarks that roughly 9.7% of Sparks residents are uninsured or underinsured. Benjamin Monson, a student in a Fire Science program, said the fee could deter people from calling 911 and stressed that ambulance transport is the role of private ambulance providers.

Speakers suggested alternatives. Malo suggested increasing general funding for the fire department or a small monthly tax to fund EMS as a progressive alternative to an up-front fee; Monson recommended ensuring adequate fire-department funding so a transport fee would not be necessary.

What the council has on the agenda: the transcript shows related items on municipal fees and the sewer-rate business impact study, and staff will return with formal proposals and hearings when appropriate. The public comments did not result in an immediate council vote, but members heard the concerns and asked staff to consider outreach and impacts on vulnerable residents.

Closing note: the council did not take immediate action on a first-responder fee at this meeting; the comments are on the record for future consideration.