Citizen Advisory Boards
History, Legal Basis and Bylaws
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History The Board of County Commissioners establishes citizen advisory boards (CABs) in areas of the County where residents share similar problems and concerns and where communities are distinct from other communities. The first neighborhood CAB was the Incline Village CAB (later to be merged with the Crystal Bay CAB) which was established at the request of North Lake Tahoe residents in 1975, even before such boards were formalized by statute. The Sun Valley CAB followed in 1978, and the Washoe Valley CAB (first established as a nonprofit corporation by Washoe Valley residents and later divided into two CABs: East Washoe Valley and West Washoe Valley) in 1979. The Lemmon Valley and Gerlach/Empire CABs were added in 1980, and the Verdi Township CAB in 1981. In 1982, the North Valleys CAB (which incorporated the Lemmon Valley Board), and the Southwest Truckee Meadows CABs were established, followed by the Northeast Valleys CAB in late 1983 -- which was later divided into the Spanish Springs and Warms Springs CABs. Subsequent boards were established for Mt. Rose/Geiger Grade (which was later divided into two separate boards -- Galena-Steamboat and Southeast Truckee Meadows), West Truckee Meadows, East Truckee Canyon, and Cold Springs. In 2006, the Central CAB was formed, but temporarily suspended in 2009. The Cold Springs CAB was dissolved in 2008 and merged with the North Valleys CAB. In 2009, the Verdi Township CAB and the West Truckee Meadows CAB were dissolved and merged into the Verdi Township/West Truckee Meadows CAB; however, the two CABs were re-established as separate CABs in 2010. CAB Program Contacts: Andrea Tavener, Program Assistant Bob Webb, AICP, Planning Manager |
Legal Basis Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 244.1945 authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to establish CABs "for any purpose relating to the County about which the Board desires study or advice". Under this statute, the Board has created a number of CABs on countywide issues, as well as creating the system of community CABs. NRS 241.035 addresses requirements for minutes of meetings for public bodies. Washoe County Code, Chapter 5.425 through 5.435 sets forth the specific guidelines for the establishment and operation of CABs. Among other matters, it requires that each CAB be individually established by a Board of County Commissioners' resolution. CABs are governed within this legal framework by a set of bylaws adopted by the County Commission. The bylaws enable each CAB to follow a standard set of operating procedures while providing enough latitude to allow the CAB to conduct its affairs and meetings in a fashion which encourages public participation. |
