The construction of the last phase of the waterline extension began in June and is expected to be completed in October 2010. The project is replacing old wells with a municipal water system in this North Valleys neighborhood. Funding has come from federal grants and homeowners are receiving assistance through low-interest loans and grants to hook up to the new system.

County Commissioners approved the transfer of the Flood Warning System from the County`s Dept. of Water Resources to the regional Truckee Meadows Flood Project. The transfer involves staff as well as the responsibility of funding, managing operations and maintenance of the system. Washoe County will save approximately $90,000 as a result, and the cities of Reno and Sparks are expected to save similar amounts.

Free Wednesday evening concerts at the Lazy 5 Regional Park located off the Pyramid Highway during the summer are made possible thanks to many local sponsors. The concerts begin at 6 p.m. and feature a range of local groups. Please visit www.washoecountyparks.com for a listing.

Washoe County nominated the new Galena Creek Recreation Area and Visitor Center to be included as part of the Sierra Nevada Geotourism Map Guide sponsored by National Geographic, but we need your vote! Please take a moment to go to the link below and click on `click here to give your thumbs up` to vote for the project.
http://bit.ly/cMSAFY

Washoe County`s website received about 270,000 unique hits in June, up nearly 40% from a year ago. The County plans to launch a redesigned website in late summer that provides more opportunities for citizens to interact directly with their regional government.

Become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/washoecounty or join us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/washoecounty today. You can also visit our website at www.washoecounty.us and sign up for topic specific information to be emailed directly to you.

The Reno/Sparks Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a `Salute to Washoe County` event that featured a presentation by Washoe County Commission Chairman David Humke and County Manager Katy Simon. The Q&A format touched on the County`s structure, budget challenges, innovative ways citizen demands are being met, and the upcoming 2011 Legislature. To view this program on your computer, go to www.washoecounty.us and click on the featured link.

Due to budget reductions, the Senior Center located on Richards Way in Sparks reduced its hours to 9 am to 1 pm. Lunch will continue to be served at the center at the usual 11:30 a.m. time prepared by the same contracted staff. Volunteers will open and close the center for the stated hours, and also for any pre-arranged special programming or groups. The Center`s goal is to provide a sustainable service level to area seniors over the net several years. Additional senior services can be found at www.washoecounty.us/seniorsvs

Three rural roads totaling 8.4 miles located in the Gerlach/Vya area will no longer be maintained by Washoe County`s road crews. The decision was made based on the need to reduce expenses as well as the least amount of impact to citizens.

As a result of budget cuts within the Juvenile Services Department, the overnight care for troubled youth 13 years and up previously offered through the department`s McGee Center will now be contracted out on an as-needed basis saving approximately $400,000.

Effective July 1st, Washoe County implemented our new `e-payables` program that increases the number of vendors paid through automation. Vendors will receive their payments faster (with 2-3 days) and the County will save approximately $192,000 annually in processing costs.

Approximately 2,000 representatives from local governments around the country will meet in Reno on July 16-20 for the 75th annual National Association of Counties Conference. Washoe County is the host of this national event, and several of our programs and facilities will be highlighted. The event is expected to have a significant positive economic impact upon our tourism industry.

County Commissioners will hear a second reading on the proposed two-map planning and zoning system at the July 13th County Commission meeting. The change from a one-map system addresses citizen concerns about the stability and implementation of their long-term community vision in the Washoe County Master Plan. For more information, visit (note: Link removed- no longer active)