The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. County Budget Division receives distinguished budget award for 23rd year: The Board accepted the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to the Washoe County Budget Division. This annual award is designed to encourage governments to prepare budget documents of the highest quality to meet the needs of decision-makers and citizens. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and is the 23rd year that Washoe County has received it. In addition to receiving the award, the county’s budget received special recognitions for Performance Measures and Strategic Goals & Strategies. Special recognition is given when all reviewers give the highest possible score in particular categories. Washoe County has met both guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA’s best practices on budgeting. The guidelines are designed to assess how well Washoe County’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.
“Our finance team and budget team work so hard, and I want to acknowledge their work,” Chair Alexis Hill said. “We’re heading into some turbulent times when it comes to budgeting, so they’re going to continue to challenge us, and we’ll challenge them, and we’ll see how we can continue to provide these services for our community.”
2. Board approves renewal of license and permit software: The board approved a five-year renewal of Accela, the software used across northern Nevada for licensing and permitting. It is a centralized system used by Washoe County, City of Reno, City of Sparks, Douglas County and Northern Nevada Public Health, and the $4.5 million contract is split up among the jurisdictions. Washoe County’s portion is $1.45 million.
The platform supports streamlined processes for applying, tracking, and renewing licenses and permits, as well as enabling online citizen access to these services.
3. Board adopts Regional Emergency Operation Plan: The 2025 Washoe County Regional Emergency Operation Plan (REOP) provides a framework for regional partners—Washoe County, the cities of Reno and Sparks, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Northern Nevada Public Health, Washoe County School District, University of Nevada, Reno, and Northern Command—to plan and perform emergency functions during a disaster or emergency.
A new plan has been adopted every four to five years since 2008, with minor annual modifications to keep up with technology and the region’s needs in emergencies.
4. Commissioners appoint members to regional boards and commissions: The Board of County Commissioners made the following appointments to boards and commissions:
- Patrick M. Caldwell to the Washoe County Board of Adjustment representing Commission District 4 (generally includes portions of Sparks, Spanish Springs, Hidden Valley, and East Truckee Canyon areas), to fill a four-year term beginning July 1.
- Cindy Vance, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District chief fiscal officer, to the Nevada OPEB Trust Fund Board of Trustees. This is a reappointment for a two-year term, beginning July 24.
5. Board approves District Special Fund allocations: County Commissioners approved the allocation of money from District 2 and District 3 Special Funds to numerous nonprofit and governmental organizations.
From District 2, Commissioner Mike Clark designated:
- $2,000 to My Haven to support the building of a sensory indoor playground for individuals with diverse needs;
- $8,500 to Palomino Valley Pet Rescue to support its mission of rescuing special needs animals and placing them into permanent homes;
- $2,000 to Music With Confidence to support its mission of empowering children with emotional and physical challenges using performing arts to build confidence and social skills;
- $5,000 to Scenic Nevada to support its mission of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the scenic character of Nevada;
- $2,500 to The Retired Investigators Guild to support its work to restore faith in law enforcement through its primary focus of solving cold case crimes;
- $2,500 to the India Association of Northern Nevada to support scholarship programs for children in the community
From District 3, Commissioner Mariluz Garcia designated:
- $6,000 to the Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism to cover expenses for artist Autumn Harry to paint three large panels as part of a mural at the new Riverbend Park Trailhead;
- $5,000 to the Be the Change Project to support the Wedekind Road Art Project in 2024;
- $5,000 to Reno Initiative for Shelter & Equality (RISE) for general support of programming and services;
- $5,000 to the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) Men’s Crossroads Program for general support of programming and services;
- $5,000 to Washoe County Sustainability to reimburse disposal costs associated with the Sun Valley Tires & TVs (T&T) Drop-Off event hosted on May 31, 2025;
- $2,425 to the Washoe County Community Services Department Open Space & Regional Parks to cover the cost of installing a picnic table and bench at the new Riverbend Park Trailhead;
- $1,500 to Sierra Arts Foundation to support the 2025 Reno Dance Festival;
- $1,278 to Sky Tavern to sponsor two children in the Jr. Ski Program;
- $1,000 to Young Life, Reno-Sparks Chapter to support youth mentoring and engagement efforts at Sparks High School.
Numerous current and former participants of the CrossRoads program appeared at the meeting to speak in support of the District 3 donations to CrossRoads and RISE.
“Thanks to the incredible support from Commissioner Garcia, this investment has helped us create more activities and add new ones to our gym. It’s become so much more than a place to work out, it’s where people go to heal, to connect, and to find their strength again,” Justin Cercone said. “These investments didn’t just help build a gym or a kitchen, it helped rebuild me and so many others like me.”
“The money that you’ve given is wonderful, but what’s really valuable is your continued support and belief that a program can reinvest in people that a lot of society thought was lost, and that we can become active members in this community,” Steven Markley, a CrossRoads graduate, said.
6. Board approves donations to Washoe County programs and departments: The Board approved several donations and grants to Washoe County departments including:
- $4,000 from Russell Horning to the District Attorney’s Office for the benefit of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Nevada, which are dedicated to the mission of aiding and healing children who have experienced sexual abuse and exploitation.
- $1,800 in a private grant from the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (LCGS) Endowment Fund. Grants from the LCGS Endowment Fund support local and community organizations that improve education, health, and social needs. This grant was awarded to the Washoe County Human Services Agency for the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS). This is an evidence-based program that supports older adults with depression through skill development. The program teaches self-sufficiency with a focus on problem-solving that helps participants live happier lives while maintaining health and independence.
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