The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board approves countywide restructuring of job classification and compensation: Washoe County has used a classification and compensation structure based on the Korn Ferry (formerly known as Hay Group Inc.) job evaluation methodology for over 20 years. In 2022, the Department of Human Resources engaged the services of Korn Ferry for a full-scope countywide classification and compensation study.
Korn Ferry recommended the restructuring of some job descriptions and pay grades as well as an implementation plan that brings all employees who are currently below the minimum of the restructured pay range to the minimum of the recommended pay structure. The approved plan will take effect in August 2023.
“I’d like to see these kinds of studies happen more often. It’s maintenance,” Chair Vaughn Hartung said. “It’s so important to stay on top of these and stay competitive and retain the best and brightest.”
The Board additionally asked staff to look at equity of implementation across departments and to consider conducting this study with more frequency.
2. Commissioners discuss recruitment and appointment of unclassified employees: Management-level employees are “unclassified” and are appointed to their positions. They are not covered by the merit personnel system. There are currently nine unclassified positions appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and nine unclassified positions appointed by the county manager. This group includes all department heads, assistant county managers, and county manager. The list of positions has been reviewed by the Board periodically since the list was created around 2000.
County Commissioners requested an overview of the appointment process, and discussed greater Board participation in the process and performance of appointed managers. While no action was taken on this item, the Board provided direction to the Human Resources Department to flesh out the processes related to unclassified employees.
3. Board approves grant to Boys & Girls Club to expand childcare: The Board of County Commissioners voted to allocated $1.5 million of ARPA funds to the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows to expand access to childcare. The funding does not pay the childcare fees, but allows the Boys & Girls Club to expand and set aside an additional 210 childcare spots in the community. One hundred of these spots will be reserved for five years for Washoe County employees and foster parents. Increasing access to childcare is essential for a healthy economy as it allows parents of children to engage fully in the labor force. The Boys and Girls Club will hire 30 new employees immediately.
“With the help of the Boys & Girls Club, they are dedicating 50 childcare slots for Washoe County employees and 50 slots for foster children,” HSA Director Amber Howell said. “That’s an area we know we need to help working families and they need access.”
Commissioner Mariluz Garcia shared her story of adopting two foster children in 2016 and the challenge in finding adequate childcare.
“At the time, and is still true, it’s a huge area of stress for working parents to look for childcare. I want to really acknowledge Boys & Girls Club Early Learning Center Director Kim Stevens and her impact in this community,” Garcia said. “I cannot express the incredible resource this is in our community and the opportunity pipeline to provide those services.”
4. Washoe County Finance Department receives prestigious Distinguished Budget Presentation Award: The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded Washoe County the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, which was acknowledged by the Board of County Commissioners today. This is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and recognizes how well Washoe County’s budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device. The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget document was prepared by the County Finance Department, led by Budget Manager Lori Cooke.
Seventeen hundred entities participate in this award program annually, and this is the 21st time that Washoe County has received this most competitive ranking.
“We have a phenomenal team, and I could not be more proud,” Chair Vaughn Hartung said.
5. Tracey Bowles re-appointed as Washoe County Public Guardian: The Public Guardian serves as a guardian, by court appointment for vulnerable adults who are unable to manage their personal and/or financial wellbeing. Tracey Bowles was appointed in 2019 to serve the four-year term of public guardian. Today the Board of County Commissioners reappointed her for another four-year term effective March 11, 2023.
6. Commissioners approve District Special Fund allocations: The Board approved a total of $8,000 in District Special Funds to support local nonprofit organizations:
- $5,000 from District 4 to the Big Brother Big Sisters of Northern Nevada to support the organization’s efforts to help children realize their potential and build their futures by supporting the Big Chefs Little Gala events.
- $1,000 from District 1 for the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement to support its Project Citizen Community Engagement in Public Policy Program.
- $2,000 from District 1 to TEDx Reno, a program that consists of short presentations by leading-edge thinkers and doers who share “ideas worth spreading” that tackle humanity’s toughest questions with innovation, enterprise, and optimism.
“I’d like to thank our chairman for $5,000 to help children realize their potential. Thank you for your support of this organization,” Commissioner Alexis Hill said.
