The City of Sparks has utilized Washoe County School District (WCSD) buses for a number of years to transport participants to and from recreation programs. Each year during our program budget preparation, we identify activities that require bus transportation and estimate the number of buses necessary. The buses are used by the Summer Outburst (1 site), Teen Discovery, Small Wonders Summer Adventures (1 site), Spring Vacation Fun, Christmas Capers, and the Fall Break Programs.

It has been asked in the past as to why we don’t use the City’s RTC buses. These buses are not utilized for the following reasons to date:

• The City does not have a communication/dispatch system in place to provide immediate assistance if the bus were to break down.

• There is not a policy in place to replace the bus and evacuate/move the children.

• The design for the transport of children is very different. WCSD bus seats are fully padded and forward facing.

• WCSD buses can transport a larger number of children at one time.

• Most recently, the buses were auctioned off in 2013.

Currently, the WCSD can provide dispatch, safer seating, backup drivers and buses. The City Attorney’s Office and Risk Manager have reviewed the attached agreement between the Washoe County School District and the City of Sparks. The various buses will have a capacity ranging from 25 to 84 passengers and will be leased for a period of one (1) year, commencing at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of January, 2014 and expiring on December 31, 2014.

The 2014 lease price is recommended at two dollars and seventy five cents ($2.75) per mile, which represents a twenty five cent ($0.25) increase from the 2013 agreement. The City shall maintain a one million dollar ($1,000,000.00) Automobile Liability Policy and a two million dollar ($2,000,000.00) General Liability Policy naming the Washoe County School District as an additional insured. The Parks and Recreation Department depends greatly upon the use of these buses in order to broaden program opportunities to the youth in our community.

Estimated Bus Lease Cost at $2.75 per mile:

Program Estimated Cost

Fall Break $ 550.00

Summer Outburst $11,440.00

Christmas Capers $ 1,650.00

Spring Vacation Fun $ 1,100.00

Small Wonders Summer Adventures $ 2,750.00

Teen Discovery $ 4,400.00

Estimated Cost at $2.75 per mile for 2014 $21,890.00 This total cost is less from previous years due in part to the change in the WCSD school calendars. There are no longer various Year-Round schedules to accommodate.