MARSHA L. BERKBIGLER

NAME:  Marsha Berkbigler

AGE: 74

PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican

DAY JOB: Semi-retired

EDUCATION: 

BA Business Administration

HOW LONG YOU HAVE LIVED IN NEVADA:  64 years

WRITE A BRIEF (TWO TO THREE SENTENCES) SUMMARY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD ENABLE YOU TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE:

I have worked as a government relations professional for over 35 years.  I’ve represented large and small companies, local governments, and non-profit organizations.  I served as the district 1 Commissioner for eight years from 2013-2020.  My experience includes negotiating contracts, settling outstanding litigation, drafting tax policy, developing budgets, working directly with constituent needs, serving on and chairing boards and committees on behalf of the County and clients, developing and implementing regulations to benefit the County and/or my clients, team building, and developing joint municipal programs to benefit county residents.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY IF ELECTED? 

The goal for my term, is to assure the tax-payers money is being spent with their needs in mind and not the personal agenda of any Commissioner or Administrator.  I will work with other Commissioners to assist administration with implementation of the proposals for fine-tuning the ROV office as were proposed in the study the County commissioned in 2023.   I will request, in conjunction with other Commissioners, a full forensic audit of how the Cares Campus is being run and how tax dollars are being spent.  

IN JUST A FEW SENTENCES: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FACING OUR STATE, AND HOW WOULD YOU FIX IT?

The first issue is the need to bring back transparency and communication between the Commissioners and the public.  This will be to assure the public that the County has their interests in mind as they conduct County business.   I am concerned that the number one problem facing our County is the economy.   Obviously, much of this cannot be fully addressed at the County level.  However, one thing that can be done is to assure the budget is as clear and clean as possible and that tax dollars are spent on priority items that benefit all residents and are not tailored to personal agenda of staff or Commissioners.   Working to assure we have a workable budget that supports the needs of our growing community must be the number one priority if we hope to stabilize and continue to provide needed services for our growing community without raising taxes and fees.

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN TO HELP EASE THE HOUSING CRUNCH IN WASHOE COUNTY?

I will work with County staff and other Commissioners to further activate the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  This fund was developed in 2019 with the intend to assist developers with mandatory permits as they develop and build housing, with the agreement that these developers would assure a certain percentage of their developments were set aside for affordable housing.  Working with County staff to fine tune regulations and remove burdensome regulations will be a major part of furthering the development of affordable housing.  With all the money that came from the federal government during and after the Covid economic downturn, this fund could have eased much of the shortage of affordable housing, instead of being used to take care of the homeless population that seems to be growing rather than abating as more money is being thrown into it.

IN ONE SENTENCE: WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING VOTERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I have a proven track record of success, am honest and transparent, and my integrity is solid and keeps me motivated to do a good job representing the interests of the public.

YES OR NO: WILL YOU ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION, WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE?

Yes