The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board appoints county representative to District Board of Health: Washoe County Commissioners today appointed a non-elected representative to the District Board of Health to fill a seat that was previously held by Tom Young for a term that expired Dec. 31, 2020. Young continued to serve in the role while the seat was vacant. The Board received three applications from residents and decided to appoint John Klacking. Klacking, a 44-year resident of Washoe County, will serve on the board through September 2025.
“The District Board of Health is a very important board, and we’re constantly looking to evolve and grow within our county,” Chair Bob Lucey said. “We do thank Mr. Young for his service.”
2. Sheriff’s Office receives K-9 donation: The Board approved the donation to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office of a K-9 dog, equipment, handler training, and travel costs valued at just over $16,000. K-9 units are used to detect illegal drugs, weapons, and other contraband, and have seized approximately $3 million in drug-related currency and more than 4,000 pounds of illegal drugs including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
3. Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation receives $10,000 grant: Vice Chair Vaughn Hartung allocated $10,000 from the annual District 4 Special District Fund to be awarded to the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation (NNCCF). The grant will help NNCCF provide emotional and financial support to local children fighting cancer.
4. Board declares October as Infant Safe Sleep Month: The Human Services Agency is bringing attention to infant deaths through unsafe sleeping practices with a proclamation declaring October Infant Safe Sleep Month, presented by the Board of County Commissioners today. There have been 20 infant deaths between 2017 and 2021 due to unsafe sleep situations including sleeping in an adult bed, sleeping on couches or pillows, or being placed on their stomachs.
5. Board honors Friends of the Library: The Board honored the volunteers who support the Washoe County Library System by declaring Oct. 17-23 as National Friends of the Library Week. Friends of the Library support programming and special events year-round and advocate for the critical resources that allow the library system to serve residents of Washoe County.
