The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Commissioners accepted incentive funds for D.A. Family Support Program: The District Attorney’s Office Family Support Program has again received incentive funds for excelling in areas of 1) paternity establishment; 2) cases with orders; 3) collections on current support; and 4) collection on arrears. The Board accepted the funds in the amount of $394,374, which must be used for reinvestment in the program and other activities that improve the effectiveness of the program. The State of Nevada calculates what each district within the state will receive, based on performance from two years prior. Thus this allotment was for performance during the 2017 federal fiscal year.
2. Board approved a three-year agreement for real-time emissions data: The Board approved an agreement in the amount of $230,000 over three years for software that calculates and displays real-time emissions data from county operations. The company, Ledger8760 Inc., provides technology that will monitor electric, gas, transportation, waste and other emissions from Washoe County facilities and will allow the county to analyze this data to identify increased usage or irregularities.
By tracking energy demand and calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, the County can increase utility management and provide public energy dashboards for transparency and in alignment with future sustainability goals. This aligns with two of Washoe County’s strategic objectives: innovative services and fiscal sustainability.
3. Congressman Mark Amodei provided update on topics important to Washoe County: Rep. Mark Amodei offered a federal perspective on issues important to Washoe County, including area lands bills and the American Recovery Act of 2021. He outlined some community projects that are included in earmarks in federal bills, such as the McCloud neighborhood septic sewer conversions, ADA upgrades to city park restrooms, equipment for first responders, Arlington Street Bridge work, and hydrogen fuel cell project for the Regional Transportation Commission. Additionally there is $1.8 million earmarked for design of the second phase of eight miles of trail along State Route 28 for the Tahoe Transportation District.
“That’s huge to my district,” Commissioner Alexis Hill said. “We really need connectivity of trails and public transportation up in Incline Village and Crystal Bay for all the residents to enjoy.”
“Congressman, thank you, it’s always a pleasure to have you come and share with us what’s going on in Washington D.C. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate back there,” Commission Chair Bob Lucey said.
4. SilverSummit Healthplan CEO presented donation for the Washoe County Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Late last month, the Board approved an agreement with Community Foundation of Northern Nevada to establish the Washoe County Affordable Housing Trust Fund and to welcome the first private donation to that fund, $75,000 from SilverSummit Healthplan.
“The county is moving forward with plans to take a lead role in addressing the homeless and affordable housing issues in the region,” County Manager Eric Brown said. “A lot of people don’t think of a health plan when you think of folks who might be interested in this issue. But these folks reached out to the county staff after touring Our Place and the Nevada Cares Campus and said, ‘How can we help?’ As we move forward, we’re going to need more help from private investment from all sectors of the community, and I want to thank SilverSummit for stepping up.”
Other donations and appointments were approved at today’s meeting, including:
- Appointment of Don Christensen to the Washoe County Board of Adjustment representing Commission District 4, which includes Spanish Springs, portions of Warm Springs, east Truckee Canyon, and Wadsworth. The four-year term spans July 1, 2021-June 20, 2025.
- Appointment of Robert M. Flick to the Washoe County Planning Commission representing Commission District 4. The four-year term spans July 1, 2021-June 20, 2025.
- Appointment of two new members to the Washoe County Regional Animal Services Advisory Board. The board appointed Julie McMahon to fill the role of a veterinarian or veterinarian technician who is not employed by Washoe County, Trudy Brussard to fill the role of a real estate or business professional with experience related to homeowners’ associations. Both board seats serve four-year terms beginning July 1, 2021.
- Appointment of two new members to the Washoe County Senior Services Advisory Board. Pamela Roberts was appointed to represent Commission District 5, and Hawah S. Ahmad was appointed as an alternate member. Both will serve four-year terms beginning July 1, 2021.
- Donation of just over $44,000 from the Friends of the Washoe County Child Advocacy Center for the District Attorney’s Child Advocacy Center operational costs.
“Thank you to the donors and the families that are affected by this and need this kind of intervention. We’ll do everything we can to make sure that those who are most vulnerable in our community have a voice,” Commissioner Kitty Jung said as she moved for approval of the donation.
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