The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board hears update on Community Reinvestment program and approves re-obligation of ARPA funds: Community Reinvestment Manager Gabrielle Enfield presented an update on the program, which comprises American Rescue Plan Act and State and Local Recovery Fund (ARPA-SLFRF), Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund, Grants Management, Community Development Block Grant, and federal appropriations for the Community Project Fund.
“This is such a small yet mighty team, and I don’t think that you get the recognition that you deserve because you’ve impacted so many different sectors and the return on investment on your team is just through the roof,” Commissioner Mariluz Garcia said.
All of the county’s nearly $92 million in federal ARPA funds have been allocated and 90 projects have been completed. There is a dashboard of all the projects and the status of their funding on the Washoe County website.
ARPA-SLFRF funds were previously allocated to Nation’s Finest, Veterans Services, to support 1.5 Veteran Service Officer (VSO) positions to provide veterans with personalized assistance with applications and appeals for veterans’ benefits. Due to a loss of staffing, Nation’s Finest is no longer able to complete the scope of work for the funding. The Board approved canceling the remainder of this grant – approximately $139,000 – and reallocating it for the same purpose under the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. This move will now fund two VSO positions within the state.
“There are 215,000 veterans throughout the state – not including their families, the caregivers – and we only have only 20 accredited VSOs in the department,” NVDVS Deputy Director of Benefits Rommel Ferrer said. “Having two additional accredited VSOs in the county is huge, and it’s going to help us serve our veterans and their families with their benefits that they’ve earned.”
2. Board approves donations: All donations to the county must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Today the board formally received and approved:
- Just over $37,000 in cash donations to Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space to fund various programs such as the Galena Campfire Series, Lazy 5 Summer Music Series, Iron Ranger Program, Davis Creek restoration efforts, Bartley Ranch programs, and the May Museum and Arboretum. The Board also approved a donation of water containers valued at $800 from Creg Garcia, and a hand-carved wooden bench valued at $2,999 from Timothy Torrell.
- Approximately $16,800 in cash donations and $14,000 in donated items and clothing to Child Protective Services from various donors. The full list of donors can be viewed here.
- Donations of clothing, books, mattresses and home appliances to Housing and Homeless Services. The full list of donors can be viewed here.
- Just over $10,000 in cash donations from LPL Financial and an unknown donor to Senior Services, as well as seven cooling fans from two individuals.
3. Board approves private grant from Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation to support the Sheriff’s Office Incline Law Enforcement Team: Incline Village and Crystal Bay experience wide seasonal fluctuations in population that bring unique needs in law enforcement. The Incline Law Enforcement Team was created to meet these unique needs, and is funded up to $3.3 million annually, starting in FY27 by long-time Incline Village residents Dave and Cheryl Duffield. The grant intends to continue funding in future fiscal years, covering salaries, benefits, equipment, as well as other expenses, contingent upon mutual agreement between the parties that the program remains effective and aligned with its original purpose.
4. Board recognizes Operation Green Light to honor veterans: Commissioner Clara Andriola read a board proclamation designating November 4-11 Operation Green Light for Veterans 2025. During the special week in November, Washoe County will light the Sheriff’s Office and the Second Judicial District Court in green to honor veterans. Veterans Day is celebrated annually on November 11, and most Washoe County offices will be closed on that day. There is a special celebration on November 7 at the Sparks Senior Center.
“I want to give a huge shout-out to the Sheriff’s Office that has been celebrating Operation Green Light since its inception five years ago,” Andriola said. “This was brought to me by the NACo conference I attended, and I’m happy to share the Courts have made their courts green as well the week of November 4-11. Let’s make Washoe County green.”
