Referendum - Lakes Course Redevelopment

Sparks residents can pursue a referendum under NRS Chapter 295 to challenge a city council approval of the Red Hawk golf course redevelopment plan, provided it takes the form of an ordinance (or resolution treated similarly). 

Relevant Law: NRS 295.195–295.220 (Municipal Initiative and Referendum)

These sections specifically govern city-level initiatives and referendums in Nevada cities like Sparks:

•  Referendum power (NRS 295.200): Registered voters may require the city council to reconsider any adopted ordinance. If the council does not repeal it, the ordinance goes to the voters at the next general city election (or general election) for approval or rejection. 

•  Signature threshold for referendum (NRS 295.205): At least 10% of the number of voters who voted in the last preceding city election. (For comparison, initiatives require 15%.) 

Process overview:

1. Any five registered voters form a petitioners’ committee and file an affidavit with the Sparks City Clerk stating their intent, providing contact info, and citing the specific ordinance to be reconsidered. 
2. Circulate petitions (must include full text of the ordinance; signatures collected within strict time limits — generally 180 days from affidavit or 130 days before the election, whichever is earlier).
3. Submit signed petitions to the City Clerk for verification (NRS 295.250–295.290).
4. City Clerk certifies sufficiency (or insufficiency, which can be appealed to the council and then court).
5. If sufficient, the council must reconsider (vote to repeal). If it doesn’t repeal within 30 days, the question goes to voters.

•  Ballot effect (NRS 295.220): A majority vote approving the referendum repeals the ordinance; disapproval upholds it. 

Single-subject rule, description requirements, circulator affidavits, and other general rules in NRS 295 also apply. 

Applicability to Red Hawk Redevelopment

•  Redevelopment approvals (e.g., master plan amendments, rezoning, or specific ordinances for the golf course/housing project) are typically done via ordinance or formal council action. If the council passes such an ordinance, it is subject to referendum under these provisions. 

•  This is not a state-level referendum (which uses different thresholds and the Secretary of State); it is handled locally by the Sparks City Clerk.

•  Petitions must be filed timely after the council’s approval.

Sparks City Charter Considerations

Sparks operates under its own charter (Chapter 470, Statutes of Nevada 1975, as amended). It states that applicable general laws in the NRS (including Chapter 295) apply to the city unless they conflict with the charter. No broad conflict appears for standard ordinance referendums. 

Important caveats:

•  Not every council action qualifies (e.g., purely administrative decisions, contracts, or certain emergency measures may not). The specific form of the “approval” matters — it must be an adoptable/reconsiderable ordinance.

•  Timing is critical: Petitions have deadlines relative to the election and council action.

•  Legal challenges (sufficiency, single-subject, etc.) are common and can go to court.

•  For the latest details or forms, contact the Sparks City Clerk’s office directly (they handle verification and receipts). The Nevada Secretary of State’s site has general initiative/referendum resources, but city matters route through the clerk.

Residents have successfully used these tools in Nevada cities before for land-use issues. If the council has already approved (or is about to), organizers should consult the City Clerk promptly and consider legal advice for drafting the petition and description. For the full text, see the Nevada Legislature’s NRS 295 page. 

1. Download the official City Referendum Petition forms from the Nevada Secretary of State (Notice of Intent EL-D02(b), signature sheets, etc.).
2. File with the Sparks City Clerk’s Office (431 Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89431; 775-353-2350; cityclerk@cityofsparks.us).
3. Include the full text of the ordinance and a clear description of its effect.

Timing is critical — contact the City Clerk immediately after any council approval for exact deadlines and verification process. Full statutes are available at leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-295.html.

This process gives Sparks voters a direct voice on local land-use decisions like the Red Hawk proposal. 

For forms and guidance, visit nvsos.gov or reach out to the City Clerk. Always consult the Clerk and consider legal advice to ensure compliance.