Manager's eUpdate for 12/08/08

I am pleased to provide you with highlights of some of our recent activities that reflect the County Commission's strategic priorities for our region. As always, I welcome your comments either by email (ksimon@washoecounty.us) or phone (775-328-2000). If you do not wish to receive this update by email, please let Community Relations Director Kathy Carter know at kcarter@washoecounty.us. Thank you.

Katy Simon
Washoe County Manager

The 40-foot holiday tree donated by Rail City Nursery of Sparks for the County`s annual Holiday Tree Lighting is expected to arrive at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park this week where it will be decorated by volunteers from the park`s Botanical Society. The Tree Lighting Celebration will be held 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13.

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Reminder that the annual phone book recycling project is underway. This year, Washoe County has six participating locations: Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Lazy 5 Regional Park, North Valley`s Regional Park, Sun Valley Community Park, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park and South Valleys Regional Park. AT&T will donate 17 trees to the Regional Parks and Open Space Department for every ton of phone books dropped off at these locations between Monday and December 31.

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Thanks to all who competed in the National Association of Counties` energy conservation competition this year. This was Washoe County`s first year competing and we finished fifth out of 26 counties in the large population category! Citizens and employees made 329 pledges to change out their light bulbs and 4,072 CFL bulbs or other ENERGY STAR items were added to homes.

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The Washoe County Employees United Way Campaign concluded this week, with a record $105,000 in donations being pledged to help the United Way provide critically-needed assistance to those less fortunate in our community. We are proud of the compassion and generosity of our employees toward their neighbors at a difficult time.

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County Manager Katy Simon held an open Town Hall Meeting with employees on Thursday, December 4, to discuss the proposed $9.8 million in budget cuts that will be recommended to the Board of County Commissioners on January 13 and thereafter to close the 2008-2009 budget gap. By utilizing webstreaming, more than 300 employees participated in the meeting without having to leave their workstations, in addition to the employees who were able to attend and ask questions live. The Town Hall meeting showed the long-term financial forecast for the County, in which all fund reserves would be exhausted by 2010 unless additional actions take place. By February, 2009, Washoe County will have cut spending by a cumulative total of $64 million over the past three years by freezing vacant positions, using citizen priorities to reduce programs and hours of service, reducing or eliminating capital projects, reducing the vehicle fleet, improving efficiency through automation, consolidating services, offering unpaid time off and furloughs while maintaining health insurance, reducing overtime, travel, and training, and many other strategies. The County has established a website for employee suggestions for budget streamlining, and excellent ideas are coming in daily.

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The Washoe County Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be sending out a brief survey in the December billing to the utility`s water, reclaimed water and wastewater customers--approximately 29,000 in all. The survey asks customers to comment about the quality, value and reliability of DWR`s utility services. Additionally, the survey is posted on DWR`s website. And as an expanded outreach to customers, DWR`s Director, Rosemary Menard began meetings with customers at Citizen Advisory Board meetings to discuss their priorities relative to water utility services in each of the unincorporated areas that receive DWR water service. This includes West Washoe Valley, North Valleys, Spanish Springs, Galena/Steamboat, Southeast Truckee Meadows, and Southwest Truckee Meadows.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Preserve and Enhance Our Quality of Life

Support a Healthy Economy

Improve Government Efficiency and Financial Stability

Provide Excellent Public Services