The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board approves election vote center locations for Presidential Preference Primary: The Registrar of Voters Office will conduct a Presidential Preference Primary election on Feb. 6, 2024. The Nevada State Legislature in 2023 passed a law that enacts a primary rather than a caucus for presidential primary elections for the two major parties.
The Board approved the early voting and Election Day vote center locations. You can view them here.
In another action in today’s meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of 80 ballot drop boxes to use in the 2024 elections. Each drop box costs approximately $1,160 for a total of just over $92,600.
The Board also approved interlocal agreements between Washoe County and the cities of Reno and Sparks to conduct the 2024 Primary and General Elections. The actual cost will vary depending on the number of voters, candidate races, and questions placed on the ballot by each jurisdiction, but is estimated to be approximately $20,045 for the City of Sparks and $49,000 for the City of Reno.
2. Board provides direction to staff on code amendments related to short-term rentals: Washoe County Community Services Department (CSD) provided an update on items within the county code related to short-term rentals (STRs) and requested guidance from the Board of County Commissioners on streamlining permitting and enforcement. The key points of the update include:
- Limiting STRs to one per parcel in the Tahoe area; prohibiting STRs in accessory dwellings.
- Clarifying requirements for STR permit relinquishment.
- Removing the outdoor fireplace permit requirement from Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.
- Allowing pro-rated permitting fees.
- Requiring a new STR permit upon property sale.
- Allowing a grace period for renewal permits in select circumstances.
- Addressing trash and noise citations from other agencies as STR violations.
- Removing the notarization requirement for STR permit renewal applications.
- Clarify that one-year suspensions for permit revocations are applicable to the property owner, not the parcel.
- Allowing STR permit revocation for unpermitted construction activity on the property.
- Updating appeal timelines for stop activity orders.
- Increasing fines for STR violations.
- Exploring potential reductions in STR permitting fees for partial home rentals.
“This has been a process. From the moment I got into office, we’ve been looking into this ordinance,” Chair Alexis Hill said. “We’ve had over 12 public hearings on this process, have brought it back to the Board to really refine it and make it better for the neighbors and better for the owners. I think staff has done a really admirable job at that. Overall, I hear approval from the community on these recommendations.”
3. Board approves grant to purchase nutrition delivery trucks and equipment: The Human Services Agency (HSA) received a grant from the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services Division to support the senior nutrition program. The $170,000 award will support the purchase of two nutrition delivery trucks and four refrigerators.
Home Delivered Meals are primarily distributed by trucks outfitted with hot/cold boxes. These vehicles are a safeguard for food security, ensuring that meals are held at proper temperatures while enroute to seniors in the community. With the purchase of these vehicles, HSA will be providing the necessary infrastructure for continued services, meeting the demand of new services, and expanding services within the more rural/remote locations of Washoe County. The purchase of four new commercial-grade refrigerators will allow HSA to maintain health requirements for the congregate meal sites within the community.
4. Board approves grant to support Sun Valley parks: The Sun Valley General Improvement District (SVGID) received a $90,000 Community Support Grant to cover operational costs of SVGID-owned parks, including the Sun Valley Pool. Historically, Washoe County has made Community Support funds available to local community-based providers to support services that address diverse health and human service needs in the community or contribute to economic development and quality of life issues.
5. Board approves receipt of donations to county programs and departments: The Board of County Commissioners approved donations from individual donors and community groups to support county programs and departments:
- Various items totaling an estimated market value of $7,930 and a $500 donation from Second Baptist Church, Community Outreach Ministry, to Washoe County Human Services Agency Homelessness Fund to support welfare activities.
- Various items and cash totaling an estimated market value of $3,165 to the Human Services Agency, Senior Services Fund.
- Various items and cash totaling an estimated market value of approximately $13,000 to Washoe County Human Services Agency Child Protective Services Fund.
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