Hello, my name is George Eddie Lorton, and this opinion may sound familiar because I’ve been campaigning on it for 12 years. Opponents during campaign seasons tried to silence and mock my stance, but now they’re misusing my ideas for their same old corrupt games. Years ago, the City of Reno created a redevelopment agency, which has become the most abused agency within our city government. Let me repeat:

THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY IS THE MOST ABUSED AGENCY IN RENO’S GOVERNMENT. Elected officials now exploit this agency for personal gain, as evidenced by their campaign and expense reports. Here’s why this agency must be abolished to end corruption and restore fiscal responsibility.

The Problem with Redevelopment Agencies

Redevelopment agencies foster unbridled corruption and abuse by elected officials. California abolished its redevelopment agencies for this very reason, recognizing their role in enabling corrupt favors between officials and special interest groups like casinos and developers, all at taxpayers’ expense. In Reno, the Redevelopment Agency controls hundreds of millions of dollars in city-owned real estate, much of which is exempt from public auctions when sold. This gives the city unchecked power to engage in questionable transactions, such as giving away properties at little or no cost, offering favoritism deals on leases or sales, and keeping city-owned properties off the tax rolls, depriving the city of revenue.

While Washoe County pushes to raise property taxes, Reno owns multimillion-dollar properties, like the National Bowling Stadium, the Reno Events Center, and the Downtown Reno Ballroom, that generate no property tax revenue. Instead, taxpayers bear the burden of bond servicing debt for these properties, which provide little to no return, deepening the city’s financial hole.

A Solution to Reno’s Debt Crisis

The City of Reno claims a $24 million deficit, yet it owns assets like the Downtown Reno Ballroom, valued at $65 million. Selling such properties at public auction could generate revenue to balance the deficit, eliminate bond servicing debt obligations, and return properties to the tax rolls, creating ongoing revenue. This approach could be applied to other city-owned properties, including the Reno Events Center, the National Bowling Stadium, and hundreds of others. By abolishing the Redevelopment Agency and requiring all property sales to go through public bidding, Reno could end corrupt practices, reduce debt, and prioritize taxpayers’ interests. The city’s job is to provide essential services, police, fire, and public works, not to play real estate mogul. The city of Reno should NOT be in the real estate business.

Examples of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

The Redevelopment Agency’s mismanagement is evident in several egregious cases. Noticing the pattern yet?

• Eldorado/Caesars Entertainment has a favoritism lease, paying nothing to rent the Downtown Reno Ballroom, covering only minimal utilities (water, power, sewer, trash). They control outside rentals, pocketing fees that should go to the city, while taxpayers foot the bill for bond debt. The lease is up for renewal, and this corrupt council, with some members term-limited, is sure to make one final sweetheart deal for their campaign donors at Caesars.
• The vastly underutilized National Bowling Stadium, inaccessible to the public, was leased to Mayor Hillary Schieve’s ex-business partner for a haunted house project, the Dark Corner Haunt. Another friend of the mayor’s receiving favors through the Redevelopment Agency, while taxpayers pay the bond debt, and the property remains off the tax rolls.
• The Jacobs Group received discounted land and property through the Redevelopment Agency, bypassing public auctions that could have maximized taxpayer benefits. Many more examples could be cited.

The True Scale of Reno’s Debt

The city’s reported $472 million debt, including $60 million for projects like the Moana Pool, a flawed public safety center, and new fire headquarters, is misleading. Key omissions include the PERS debt, over $260 million five years ago and growing rapidly, and the train trench debt, over $400 million, deferred under a forbearance agreement with higher interest rates. Realistically, Reno’s debt likely ranges from $800 million to $1 billion. Why does the city continue financing casinos and developers at taxpayers’ expense when its only job is police, fire, and public works? Talk about creative bookkeeping!

A Call to Action

I’m disheartened to see Reno in this preventable financial mess. The good idea to sell off properties to balance the budget is being used to widen the budget gap and serve as another vessel for political gain by this corrupt council. I hope it has become clear that I have the people’s best interests at heart as I continue to stand against corruption in Reno. The Redevelopment Agency needs to be abolished NOW.

Thank you for hearing me out.

George Eddie Lorton

Speak Up, Nevada! What’s on Your Mind? Send us your opinion!

Got the inside scoop on something happening in Nevada? Or the country? Do you have thoughts about life in Nevada that are too good to keep to yourself? Whether it’s a hot take on our politics, crime, education, or even the secret to surviving our summers, we’re all ears! Swing them our way at editor@thenevadaglobe.com. Come on, give us the scoop on what makes Nevada tick—or what ticks you off. Let’s make some noise and have some fun with it!

*************************

Legal Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in this article, authored by George Eddie Lorton, are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of Nevada Globe. This content is provided for informational purposes only and has not been endorsed by Nevada Globe. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the content contained on this site for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Nevada Globe is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the article. No guarantee is given that the information provided in this article is correct, complete, or up-to-date.

Although this article may include links providing direct access to other Internet resources, including websites, Nevada Globe is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites.

Links from Nevada Globe to third-party sites do not constitute an endorsement by Nevada Globe of the parties or their products and services. The appearance on the website of advertisements and product or service information does not constitute an endorsement by Nevada Globe, and Nevada Globe has not investigated the claims made by any advertiser.