Over the past five years, Washoe County endured enormous strains on its operations and finances in the context of the country’s economic downturns and slow recovery. While diligently struggling to deliver services, the County and its employees have suffered five years of successive and incremental budget cuts and personnel reductions. During this period, the County reduced spending by
$154 million and reduced its workforce by nearly 20%.

The County is now at a threshold where such incremental changes are no longer sufficient. More strategic and fundamental measures must be taken. As part of a “fundamental services review,” Management Partners1 recommended that Washoe County develop a managed competition process and execute it for selected services. These guidelines are a first step toward developing the managed competition process for the County.