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Douglas County
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County Commissioner, District 4· 2019-2026

Wesley Rice

Douglas County

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
1

Term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
18
Total speaking time
1:00:32
Avg per meeting
3:22
Segments
722

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The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Rice said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

critical→Mar 2026[78]

Proposed Stormwater Utility Fee and Funding Framework

Requires shifting approximately $1.1 million currently drawn from the general fund into a dedicated utility fee structure.

critical↑Apr 2026[69]

Flood Mitigation Funding and Grant Matching

Discussions involve matching requirements for millions in potential grant funding and reallocating existing budget lines.

high↑Apr 2026[40]

Proposed Minden Cell Tower on Highway 88

Unknown private investment by Verizon Wireless.

high↑Feb 2026[30]

Major Variance Request for Single-Family Residence at 435 Nevada Street

None anticipated for county funds.

high↑Feb 2026[29]

Minden-Tahoe Airport Master Plan Update

Planning efforts are funded through existing airport and federal grant budgets.

high→Feb 2026[28]

Library 2028-2033 Strategic Planning and Budgeting

Financial impact will be determined pending decisions on whether to issue a formal request for proposals or contract with university researchers.

critical↑Jan 2026[24]

Affordable Housing and Commercial Exemption Ordinances

Potential reduction in commercial development fees offset by increased multi-family and affordable housing investments.

critical↑Jan 2026[21]

Title 20 Land Use and Zoning Code Update

Nominal administrative costs for county code updates and mapping.

critical↑Mar 2026[18]

9-1-1 Telephone and Radio System Upgrades

About $96,279 in radio equipment, a $400,000 federal grant, and $175,000 per year for five years in dispatch services.

high→Sep 2026[17]

Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance and Unrecorded Easements

Potential county costs for map amendment, channel restoration, and road or utility repairs aren't quantified in the materials.

high→Mar 2026[13]

Supplemental Budget Review

Could save counties millions in Medicaid matching costs — estimated at $13–$17 million statewide.

high↑Apr 2026[13]

Community Health Clinic Operations

The hospital reports $8.3 million in uncompensated care and $1 million in community health improvement spending.

high↓Jul 2026[12]

Roots & Wings Preschool Financial Sustainability

Operating funds have been appropriated in the county budget.

critical↓Aug 2026[12]

Painted Rock Mine Agreement and Traffic Restrictions

Potential costs associated with legal correspondence and monitoring road maintenance.

high↑Jul 2026[12]

Buckeye Farms Neighborhood 1 Annexation

No direct cost to residents is stated in the agenda.

high↓Apr 2026[11]

Transition of Internal Audit Services

Minor risk involving small cash drawer amounts ($350 identified).

high↑Jan 2026[11]

Douglas County Public Library 2022-2027 Strategic Plan Final Update

None directly requested for closure, though mobile scanning technology is being evaluated.

high↑Jan 2026[11]

Community Arts Center Master Plan and Phase I Improvements

$125,000 funded entirely through private donations, with no impact on the county general fund.

high↑Nov 2026[10]

2027 employee health insurance premium increase

A 19.5% premium increase on both the HDHP and PPO plans for 2027.

medium↑Nov 2026[10]

Community Needs Assessment

The survey determines how federal CSBG grant funds are spent locally.

Decisions during term (401)

Recorded while Rice was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approvedOct 22, 2026

Approval of Agenda with Open Meeting Law Statement

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

Approval of Agenda

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

Approval of September 17, 2026 Minutes

approved6-0Oct 15, 2026

Liquor License 7.1: Nevada Trading Company

approved6-0Oct 15, 2026

Liquor License 7.2: J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

Approval of Consent Calendar

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

Approval of NDEP Interlocal Agreement for Lake Tahoe TMDL

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

Acceptance of TDR Study Recommendations

approved4-0Oct 15, 2026

Adoption of Ordinance 2026-1672 (Art in Public Places)

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to accept a $24,393 Community Services Block Grant from the State of Nevada, Department of Health and Human Services, for the time period of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and authorize the…

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to approve Contract Addendum No. 2 to the 2022 Contract for Water Emergency On-Call Services with Haen Constructors; authorize the Director of Public Works to execute Addendum No. 2; and adopt Resolution…

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to accept the auditor's report on Douglas County's general ledger cash balances through September 15, 2026, per Nevada Revised Statute 251.030. (Kathy Kaiser, Comptroller)

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to accept $4,856.28 in additional funding from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Joining Forces Grant # JF-2026-DCSO-2038, to provide additional reimbursement for overtime expenses associated with…

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to approve changes to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 secured property tax roll as recommended by the Douglas County Assessor pursuant to NRS 361.765 and/or NRS 361.768 to adjust the taxable values of the affected…

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to accept the Douglas County Safe Streets for All Plan completed by Parametrix and authorize its publication on the County’s website. The plan incorporates community engagement, recommended projects, and a…

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to retroactively approve the salary of a new Deputy Sheriff II to start at Step 6 ($43.22 per hour) based upon the experience and qualifications of the candidate. (Undersheriff Elges)

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to retroactively approve a one-year extension of the contract with Government Software Assurance, Inc. (GSA), effective February 2026, in the amount of $97,350, for software maintenance and hosting of the…

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to approve an increase of $58,406 to Technology Services' current $733,370.56 purchase order with SHI International Corp. ("SHI") for Fiscal Year 2026-27, for a new total of $791,776.56, utilizing the State…

approved5-0Oct 15, 2026

For possible action. Discussion to retroactively approve Douglas County's participation in the Albertsons settlement agreement as a part of the One Nevada Agreement on the Allocation of Opioid Recoveries, and authorize the County Manager…

approvedOct 14, 2026

Approval of Proposed Agenda

Voting record (77)

74 yes3 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesOct 1, 2026

Continuance of Verizon Wireless Cell Tower Appeal (DP24-0204)

Voted yesOct 1, 2026

Approval of Douglas County Community Grant Process

Voted yesOct 1, 2026

Reclassification of Utility Systems Technician Senior to Utility Systems Technician III

Voted noSep 3, 2026

Amend the original motion of a three percent merit increase to a 1.5 percent merit increase

Voted yesJul 2, 2026

Ordinance 2026-1666 - Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Bylaws

Voted yesJul 2, 2026

24-Month Review of Development Agreements

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approve the Consent Calendar

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approval of Agenda

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Accept a $1,393,308.75 FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant, Award Number FM-5382-NV, and retroactively authorize the Grants Administrator to electronically sign the grant award acceptance

Voted noJun 4, 2026

Continue petition (DP 26-0035) to abandon a portion of the Sierra Place right-of-way between 3656 Green Acre Drive (APN: 1420-06-310-008) and 3644 Green Acres Drive (APN: 1420-06-410-001), consisting

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approve the agenda

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approve the designation of Deputy Kasey Myers to serve as the Acting Douglas County Public Guardian until the Board of County Commissioners fills the vacancy in the office

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approve Land Division Application 2026-DP-TSM-0001, a request for a Tentative Subdivision Map to create ten airspace condominiums for the third phase of the Tahoe Beach Club, a residential condominium

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approve the draft minutes of the special meeting of May 5, 2026, of the Board of County Commissioners

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Accept a donation of $66,991.10 from the Carson Valley Little League to the Community Services Department, adopt Resolution 2026R-029 a resolution to augment the budget in the Room Tax fund in the amo

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Adopt Ordinance 2026-1669, an ordinance amending Douglas County Code, Title 10, Chapter 10.16 (Speed), to establish vehicle speed restrictions on portions of Fremont Street and East Valley Road

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approve the Douglas Area Rural Transit (DART) Topaz route expansion

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Adopt Ordinance 2026-1668, an ordinance amending Douglas County Code, Title 10, Chapter 10.08 Control Devices to establish vehicle restrictions prohibiting truck traffic on portions of Fremont Street,

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Adopt Ordinance 2026-1667 amending Title 20 of the Douglas County Code, Appendix B1-East Fork Fire Protection District Amendments to the IFC and WUI Codes, and Appendix B2-Tahoe Douglas Fire Protectio

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Approval of Minutes of May 5, 2026

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Clear Creek Tahoe Liquor License Addition

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Consent Calendar (Items 9.A through 9.P)

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Carson Valley Little League Donation and Resolution 2026R-029

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Designation of Acting Public Guardian

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

DART Topaz Route Expansion

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Ordinance 2026-1668 Truck Route Restrictions

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Ordinance 2026-1667 Fire District Code Amendments

Voted noJun 4, 2026

Petition DP 26-0035 Right-of-Way Abandonment (Sierra Place)

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Land Division Application 2026-DP-TSM-0001 (Tahoe Beach Club Phase III)

Voted yesJun 4, 2026

Acceptance of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Approve the Consent Calendar; carried.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Appoint Mark Gardner as Chair of the Regional Transportation Commission; carried.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Direct staff to pause construction on Muller Parkway Phase 2 Improvements PWP# DO 2024-227 until the litigation is resolved.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Approve the agenda; carried.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Approve the draft minutes of the July 18, 2025, Regional Transportation Commission Meeting; carried.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Continue Administrative Agenda Item 13.1 to the June 18, 2026 Board of County Commissioner’s meeting

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Appoint Kenneth Miller as Vice Chair of the Regional Transportation Commission; carried.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Direct staff to issue a change order to remove Phase 2 from the scope of work under the current contract with Qualcon, Incorporated.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Approve the draft minutes of the April 16, 2026, regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioner; carried.

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Approve the mural rendering concept for the WALLS Mural Project pending approval of a Special Use Permit by the Douglas County Planning Commission and authorize the Community Services Director to ente

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Pause Construction on Muller Parkway Phase 2

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

RTC: Issue Change Order to Remove Phase 2 from Qualcon Contract

Voted yesMay 21, 2026

Approve Walls Mural Project Concept at Community Arts Center

Voted yesMay 5, 2026

Approve the agenda

Voted yesApr 16, 2026

Approve the First Memorandum of Understanding between Douglas County Sheriff's Protective Association, Douglas County Sergeant's Association, and Douglas County recognizing Douglas County Sergeant's A

Voted yesApr 16, 2026

Approve the agenda

Voted yesApr 16, 2026

Approve the draft minutes of the March 19, 2026, regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

Voted yesApr 16, 2026

Approve the Consent Calendar Items A-W

Voted yesApr 16, 2026

Continue the hearing on Major Modification Application DP 25-0210 to the May 21, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting

Voted yesApr 16, 2026

Adopt Resolution 2026R-014, a resolution adopting a Douglas County Master Plan and Land Use Amendment (DP 25-0226), initiated by James Butch Peri, amending the Douglas County Master Plan related to tw

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