Manager's eUpdate for 02/19/09

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

More than one hundred people attended a free workshop on February 17th to help them plan for a major disaster. The workshop was sponsored by Washoe County Emergency Management, the Reno/Sparks Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

return to top

Earlier this month, emergency management staff held an interstate evacuation teleconference with the State of Nevada, California, Utah and Idaho. They also met with representatives of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population regarding public outreach for their community. Selected Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC) Planning Section staff trained on damage assessment reporting.

return to top

The Department of Alternative Sentencing (DAS) has applied for a three-year $500,000 federal grant that requires no match from the County. This grant would assist the DAS in their task of supervising more than 300 misdemeanor probationers requiring close supervision and case management, random drug and alcohol testing and home visits. The main goals of the program are reducing recidivism, reducing drug use, and alcohol related crimes along with reduction in the demands placed on many social service agencies in caring for these individuals while incarcerated, hospitalized, or in frequent dealings with law enforcement and the judicial system.

return to top

The Flood Project Coordinating Committee approved an award of $2 million to support the next phase of the City of Reno`s Bridge TRAction project. The funds will be used to develop a preliminary design for the Virginia Street Bridge and to initiate the required environmental permitting. This item will next be discussed at the February 25th Reno City Council meeting.

The FPCC also approved the Lower Mustang Restoration project as an early start TRAction Project. The estimated $7.2 million of funding is expected to come from the Bureau of Reclamation ($4.2 mil), the Washoe County Q-1 bond ($1.325 mil), and the Truckee River Project through a grant from the State of Nevada for ecosystem restoration ($1.675 mil). Work on the project is expected to start this coming summer.

return to top

Washoe County won the 2009 County Leadership in Conservation Award for medium size counties for the Regional Open Space and Natural Resource Management Program. The award will be presented in Washington DC next month at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference.

return to top

The County Commission reviewed a final draft of the administrative enforcement ordinance which has been worked on for more than a year by a citizen committee to address neighborhood nusiances. The Board asked that an evening workshop be planned to allow one final opportunity for public input before voting on the proposed ordinance. The workshop will occur next month.

return to top

The proposed federal stimulus projects unanimously endorsed by the local public entities have been forwarded to the Congressional delegation and will be considered in the allocation of some $400 million in funding to Nevada. Washoe County hopes to receive additional support to assist distressed families who qualify for Medicaid assistance.

return to top

The future governance for the Flood Project was discussed at a joint meeting of the region`s elected officials last week. All elected officials representing Reno, Sparks and Washoe County voted unanimously to support formation of a Joint Powers Authority for eventual establishment of a flood management authority for the region.

return to top

Washoe County presented its bill AB 74 to the Assembly Government Affairs Committee last week. AB 74 proposes to extend the time that a subdivision map is still current from its original submission date. This extension is being sought in response to slower economic activity as well as trying to reduce developer and processing costs.

return to top

Members of the County`s largest employee association voted to voluntarily take a 2.5% pay cut and roll forward their current contract for another year at 0% cost-of-living increase to help with the County`s budget shortfalls and to help avoid lay-offs of fellow employees. The 2.5% pay cut will also apply to management and non-represented employees, and County Commissioners have also indicated they will similarily share in pay reductions.

return to top

A new version of a key utility billing program was recently implemented that reduced a 5-hour process to just 50 minutes.

Also, the Treasurer`s website features an on-line feature that allows property owners to retrieve their current property tax information by entering their parcel number. An on-line credit card payment function is in the final security testing stages, and should be available to all Washoe County property owners soon.

return to top

The Board of Adjustment comprised of citizens appointed by the County Commission recently completed a training session conducted by staff to discuss the review process and items for consideration for special use permits, variances and appeals. The training helped the Board understand the complexities and quantity of review that takes place before an item reaches them for consideration, and will help them provide excellent services to our public.

return to top

IN THIS ISSUE:

Improve Public Safety, Security and Health

Preserve and Enhance Our Quality of Life

Improve Regional Collaboration

Support a Healthy Economy

Improve Government Efficiency and Financial Stability

Provide Excellent Public Services