Manager's eUpdate for 05/05/09

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

The Health District has been extremely busy this past week in response to a positive-confirmed case of the H1N1 Virus (also known as swine flu) of a 2-year old female in Washoe County, and today they announced two additional confirmed cases of relatives of the child. The Health District worked with the local medical community, the State and the federal government in responding to and altering the public of appropriate action, most notably the practice of good personal hygiene. For more information about appropriate precautionary measures to stay healthy and the H1N1 virus, please visit our website at www.washoecounty.us.

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Our Emergency Management program was busy this past month presenting emergency preparedness information. About 35 regional partners attended a Mass Notification Workshop on April 27th, 80 fire fighters from Northern Nevada participated in a Wild Land Fire Preparation workshop on April 30th, and participants practiced sending text message alerts in a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Workshop on May 1-2.

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Animal Services and Community Development staff met with citizens last month to discuss the best way to license commercial animal breeders. Staff anticipates draft ordinance language will be presented to the County Commission in June. To view the draft language and provide input, go to www.washoecounty.us and click on the link under Latest News.

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The Flood Project continues its progress on several TRAaction projects: 1) the Lower Mustang Restoration (which County Commissioners approved a funding and construction agreement for on April 14th), 2) the Lockwood project (where the lower trail and parking area is now completed), and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony project where the first floodwall construction is now visible.

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The County Commission will consider applying for a State of Nevada Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for rehabilitation to the Sun Valley Pool at their May 12th meeting. If they approve, the application would be submitted on May 18th with a funding decision expected in June. Funds would be available this summer if approved. Washoe County`s Parks staff had recommended closure of both the Sun Valley and Bowers Mansion pools this summer in an effort to meet their requested 36% budget reduction for the 2009-10 year.

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County Commissioners will meet with City of Reno and Sparks council members in a joint meeting on May 11th. Sustained funding for Reno`s Community Assistance Center (CDC) will be on the agenda in anticipation of an estimated $698,354 shortfall for the 2009-10 year. Washoe County provided $755,000 in cash support to the CAC this fiscal year, plus three full-time social service workers. We have budgeted $709,096 in cash support for next year, plus three full-time social workers. In addition, every needy person who applies for and qualifies for public assistance from Washoe County is receiving it, whether homeless or not; a residence address is not required for qualifying for benefits. Washoe County spends about $26 million annually in assistance to the needy in our County.

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There will be a joint Planning Commission meeting between Washoe County and the City of Reno on May 6th to discuss potential amendments to the Reno-Stead Corridor Joint Plan which are being sponsored by the City of Reno.

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Our Telecommunications function in cooperation with the Washoe County School District have added their public safety personnel to our public safety paging system thereby allowing them to eliminate many cell phones and associated costs. We have also added a pager for the Reno/Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority to assist in their on-call procedures.

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Our Technology Services and Reprographics Departments have partnered to support special print job formatting which has allowed for cost savings in print jobs and pre-sort, reducing mail room postage costs. A job for the Treasurer`s Office cost $8,500 to have printed and mailed with an outside vendor last year; that same job is being done internally this year for approximately $600 plus programming time.

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Volunteers are still needed to help cleanup over a dozen outdoor recreation areas during the Great Truckee Meadows Community Cleanup on May 9th. Last year, volunteers removed 116 tons of garbage. Please log onto www.ktmb.org if you would like to participate.

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Nearly 3,000 citizens, mostly elderly and low-income, received free tax assistance from AARP and VITA at five library branches and our senior center.

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Washoe County was one of five counties nationwide recognized for its best practices in facility management in the April issue of Buildings magazine.

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Two Regional Parks and Open Space employees, Don Sutherland and Andy Brown, were recently certified as playground safety inspectors by the National Playground Safety Institute.

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Chris Long, a member of our technology security team, was recently awarded the designation of Certified Information Systems Security Professional.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Improve Public Safety, Security and Health

Preserve and Enhance Our Quality of Life

Improve Regional Collaboration

Improve Government Efficiency and Financial Stability

Provide Excellent Public Services

Develop our Workforce