The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board begins process to increase buffer between housing and open space in Golden Eagle: As housing expands in the area of Golden Eagle Regional Park, the space between houses and designated open space is decreasing, prompting stakeholders to call for a reassessment of the existing buffer requirements. Washoe County Code provides the framework for managing the interface between residential and open space areas. Today the Board of County Commissioners voted to initiate proceedings to amend County Code Chapter 50 to increase the buffer. This is the first step in a multi-stage process that will include ordinance drafting, public hearings, and final consideration by the Board.
“Everyone is working together to make this a safe, safe place, and I just want to be sure that everyone is recognized for their hard work and cooperation,” Commissioner Clara Andriola said.
2. Medical Examiner’s Office receives recognition for achieving accreditation: In July, the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office achieved accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), making it the second in Nevada to be accredited, after Clark County, and among the only 4 percent of medical examiners offices in this country to earn NAME accreditation.
NAME is the premiere professional organization of forensic pathologists, who serve as Medical Examiners. Accreditation by NAME is an honor and significant achievement for an office. It signifies to the public that the office is performing at a high level of competence and public service. It also is a mark of quality in an office that will aid in recruitment of future employees, who know that standard operations and caseload limits are being met. The Washoe County office was granted full accreditation, with no deficiencies and was described as “one of the best medical examiner offices in the country.”
3. Board approves allocations from District2 Special Fund: Commissioners approved $7,500 from District 3, represented by Commissioner Mariluz Garcia, Special Fund to the following organizations:
- $5,000 to STEP2 to support the mission of breaking the cycle of addiction and violence in families, by empowering women to build and maintain a clean and sober life.
- $2,500 to New Revival Church to support the food pantry, Willa Mae’s Closet, and school partnership taking place at Operation Revival in Sun Valley.
4. Board recognizes National Voter Registration Day: County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Washoe County Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald recognizing today, September 16, as National Voter Registration Day. Washoe County has nearly 347,000 registered voters out of a population of just over 500,000 residents. Registering to vote is easier than ever with in-person registration at the Registrar of Voters Office and applications available at local libraries and post offices, as well as online at www.RegistertoVoteNV.gov.
5. Board proclaims this week as National Forensic Science Week: Commissioner Mike Clark read a proclamation declaring September 14-20 as National Forensic Science Week. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division employs more than 50 dedicated scientists, support staff and volunteers who process DNA, controlled substances, crime scenes, fingerprints and firearms to solves cases and keep our community safe. Washoe County invites residents to hear firsthand from two scientists leading the Crime Lab in the most recent episode of the Washoe Life Podcast.
“With this being National Forensic Science Week, I want to emphasize the talented individuals we have in our laboratory,” Division Director Steve Johnson said. “They’re intelligent, hardworking, dedicated to the hard work they do on a daily basis. They are constantly working cases for agencies throughout Nevada.”
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