Editor,
The disparity between what Washoe (WCSO) is paid versus the budget for the PCSO was described by BRC spokesmen as a comparison between apples and oranges. There clearly are differences in budget and the number of deputies: a $95.8 million, 422 commissioned deputies for the WCSO compared to $1.38 million and 13 sworn for the PCSO. Washoe is Nevada’s second largest county with 421,407 and sees about $45 million in benefit from Burning Man. Pershing becomes, briefly, Nevada’s third largest county with 86,529 without financial benefit. The budget for the seven WCSO deputies is $15,000 compared to the 31 for PCSO for $6,323.
To provide 31 per day, the PCSO draws from 69 sworn — about three to five times the county roster — all billeted in neighboring Washoe County. Does Pershing County collect a transient lodging fee (tax) for the 70,000 plus “paid participants” for the nine-day event?
Black Rock City has a population density of 11,603 per square mile yet pays no taxes. As a commissioner stated, we don’t make a dime. BRC now claims the event never exceeded 69,999 to avoid an additional payment of $35,000. This is reminiscent of the fox guarding the henhouse. Will they be as honest as they were with Coco-taco-gate?
One of the commissioners commented on not building a jail for a doubling of county population in 10 years. News flash: the population increases by over 10 fold every year during the event, and this year over 60 arrests, 21 occupants/inmates, and a jail capacity only of 25 with an outdated “Law Enforcement Center” that is in constant need of repair.
What is the additional cost to Pershing County of the poorly performing dispatch at Black Rock City?
The BRC/Burning Man fairy dust has lost its efficacy, and reality — as we will find out — is expensive.
