The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board recognizes National Donate Life Month and National County Government Month: The Board of County Commissioners presented two proclamations declaring April both National Donate Life Month and National County Government Month.
Chair Vaughn Hartung noted his family’s experience with organ donation as he presented proclamations to both Donor Network West and Nevada Donor Network. The Board also approved an allocation of $5,000 to each organization from the District 4 Special Fund.
“This is so dear and near to my heart because I’m a donor mom, my daughter passed away in 2015 from an asthma attack. It was a sudden thing, and little did we know that my daughter signed up to be a donor without us even knowing, so with that gift of life, she gifted three people,” Sparks resident Nancy Ponte said. “I’m happy to be an ambassador for both Nevada Donor Network and Donor Network West… our community comes together when in need.”
Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner Dr. Laura Knight has been an active supporter of organ and tissue donation, and led the charge to share information and display posters provided by Nevada Donor Network. The County’s podcast, “Washoe Life,” dedicated an episode to organ donation by inviting donor recipient John Doetch to share his story on the podcast.
“Thank you to all of you for the hard work you do every single day, and to the folks who have given so much for so many,” Hartung said.
Commissioner Bob Lucey shined the spotlight on county employees and the two dozen departments and divisions that make up Washoe County government with a proclamation for National County Government Month.
“The role of county government is important to the community, and me personally, because unless you’re truly immersed and involved in what goes on here every day within the county, you really don’t understand the immense capacity in which we touch people throughout the region,” Lucey said. “People wake up every morning and make sure that the stoplights work or the power is on or that kids can get to school or daycare. People don’t realize that those services are supported by government employees – county employees.”
2. Commissioners provide guidance on Washoe County FY23 budget, to be finalized in May: Washoe County Budget Manager Lori Cooke provided the County Manager’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and received feedback and guidance from the Board. The Board previously outlined its strategic objectives at a workshop in January, prioritizing existing contractual obligations, unfunded mandates from the 2021 Legislative session, Incline Village property tax refunds, and expanded Homeless Services.
The estimated budget of approximately $965.2 million incorporates these Board priorities and more, including supplies, utilities, personnel costs, infrastructure, and operating budget requests. The budget is built with conservative fiscal management, balancing the current strength of the economy with projected cost increases for energy, materials, food and labor, as well as continuing supply chain issues and rising interest rates. The budget includes funding for 93 new full-time equivalent positions.
The Tentative and Final Budget will be presented at the May 17, 2022, Board of County Commissioners meeting, and submitted to the State of Nevada by June 1. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
“I’m very excited about the investments we’re making in our community. The community should see that we’re being responsible stewards of our taxpayer money but also investing in the places where we really need to invest,” Commissioner Alexis Hill said.
3. Board approves donations to numerous County departments: The Board of County Commissioners must approve all donations made to the County, and today recognized the generosity of residents and contributors of the following donations:
- $240,000 from SilverSummit Healthplan to the Washoe County Housing and Homeless Services Division to support case management for those experiencing homelessness.
- $234,410 in monetary and in-kind donations from the May Arboretum Society to Washoe County Regional Parks & Open Space.
- Approximately $5,900 in monetary and item donations to Senior Services, which includes $5,000 from the Finley Estate, and clothing and gift cards from Eden Home Health.
- $1,081 in items and monetary donations to the Washoe County Human Services Indigent Services Fund.
- $4,965 in items and monetary donations to the Washoe County Human Services Homelessness Services Fund, the bulk of which came from Grace Community Church in Reno.
- Over $17,000 in items and $6,600 in monetary donations to the Washoe County Human Services Child Protective Services Fund. Various donors contributed diapers, blankets, clothing, toys, and books. Monetary donations were received from anonymous donors, resident Valerie Cooke, and the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra.
- Over $13,000 from various donors to the Washoe County Regional Animal Services for the humane care of sick, injured, stray, abandoned, or at-risk animals.
- $1,000 to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office from the Joan Bates Sims Charitable Fund to be used for protective equipment for deputies.
4. Board approves District 4 Special Funds for Soulful Seeds and Our Place Community Garden: Chair Hartung has previously supported the Our Place Community Garden with District Special Funds for Soulful Seeds, a grassroots nonprofit organization in Reno whose focus is reducing food insecurity by providing fresh, healthy food to the most vulnerable populations in northern Nevada. The Board today approved an additional $10,000 donation to Soulful Seeds to further support its efforts in creating a community garden on the campus of Our Place, the County’s shelter for women and families.
