Sparks City Council Ward 2 · Nov 3, 2026
Dian VanderWell
Candidate for City Council Ward 2 (incumbent)
Dian VanderWell, the incumbent, is running for Sparks City Council Ward 2 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Jamie O'Connell.
Last day to register or update by paper application · Tue, Oct 6, 2026
TomorrowWard 2 member of the Sparks City Council since 2020 and a licensed mortgage agent and real estate agent. She was appointed to the seat in September 2020 and elected to it in November 2022.
- Endorsed by
- Lists endorsements from the Sparks Police Protective Association and the Public Safety Alliance of Nevada, among others. Dian VanderWell for Sparks City Council
- Campaign website
- votevanderwell.com
Where Dian VanderWell stands: positions on the record
Data centers2 sourced positions
answer to the 2 News Nevada candidate questionnaire
Wrote that she does not support tax abatements for data centers and that projects should be judged on resources, neighborhoods and measurable benefits.
“Any project in Sparks should be judged on a simple test: does it protect our resources, respect our neighborhoods, and provide clear, measurable benefits to the people who live and work here.”
Own statement2 News Nevada voter guide
Brought the item and moved to direct the city manager to draft zoning amendments and development standards for data centers (passed 5-0, Sept. 2025).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2025 · Sep 22, 2025
License plate readers2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a five-year, $1,046,000.05 Axon contract amendment for automated license plate recognition (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026
as reported by The Nevada Independent
Said license plate reader technology helps officers, who still conduct their own investigations.
“This technology is being used to help our officers”
Forum answerThe Nevada Independent · Aug 14, 2026
First responder fee1 sourced position
answer to the Reno Gazette Journal candidate questionnaire
Wrote that she is cautiously supportive of a first responder fee, only under very strict conditions.
“I’m cautiously supportive of the Sparks first responder fee, but only under very strict conditions.”
Own statementReno Gazette Journal · Apr 22, 2026
City budget4 sourced positions
Voted yes on budget recommendations that included raising the Waste Management franchise fee from 8% to 18% of gross receipts (passed 3-2, May 2025).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, May 12, 2025 · May 12, 2025
Voted no on adopting the FY 2025-26 final budget with direction to raise the Waste Management franchise fee from 8% to 14% (passed 3-2, May 2025).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, May 27, 2025 · May 27, 2025
Voted yes on adopting the FY 2026-27 final budget (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
as reported by The Nevada Independent
Said the city's solvency depends on fixing funding and revenue streams for local governments.
“Some more tough decisions are going to start having to be made if we don't fix some funding and revenue streams into local governments.”
Own statementThe Nevada Independent · Aug 14, 2026
Homelessness1 sourced position
Voted yes on expanding the ban on camping on public property to the Sparks Marina, Victorian Square, city parks and city parking structures (passed 5-0, June 2025).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, June 23, 2025 · Jun 23, 2025
Fire services1 sourced position
Voted yes on an agreement with Reno to share one fire chief, with the Reno fire chief overseeing both departments (passed 5-0, July 2026).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, July 27, 2026 · Jul 27, 2026
Room tax1 sourced position
Voted yes on directing the city manager to prepare a 2027 bill draft request for a Sparks room tax surcharge (all five council members voted yes, June 2026).
Council voteSparks City Council workshop minutes, June 24, 2026 · Jun 24, 2026
Advisory committees1 sourced position
Voted yes on Resolution No. 3461, which dissolved the Arts and Culture, Equity and Inclusion, and Senior Citizens advisory bodies (passed 4-1, April 2025).
Council voteSparks City Council minutes, April 14, 2025 · Apr 14, 2025
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Sparks City Council, Ward 2 in 2022 (won).
Council voteNevada Secretary of State
What Dian VanderWell said vs. how Dian VanderWell voted
Plate reader cameras
In their words
Said license plate reader technology helps officers, who still conduct their own investigations.
Aug 14, 2026 ·as reported by The Nevada Independent ·The Nevada Independent · Aug 14, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on a five-year, $1,046,000.05 Axon contract amendment for automated license plate recognition (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Jun 22, 2026 ·Sparks City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026
City budget
In their words
Said the city's solvency depends on fixing funding and revenue streams for local governments.
Aug 14, 2026 ·as reported by The Nevada Independent ·The Nevada Independent · Aug 14, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on budget recommendations that included raising the Waste Management franchise fee from 8% to 18% of gross receipts (passed 3-2, May 2025).
May 12, 2025 ·Sparks City Council minutes, May 12, 2025 · May 12, 2025
Voted no on adopting the FY 2025-26 final budget with direction to raise the Waste Management franchise fee from 8% to 14% (passed 3-2, May 2025).
May 27, 2025 ·Sparks City Council minutes, May 27, 2025 · May 27, 2025
Voted yes on adopting the FY 2026-27 final budget (passed 5-0, May 2026).
May 26, 2026 ·Sparks City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
Also running for City Council Ward 2
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