WASHOE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Rescheduled from their normal meeting day, May 8, the Washoe County Commission held its first meeting of the month on Tuesday, May 15. During the meeting, Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Week was recognized as May 26 through June 3, 2012 with a proclamation presented to North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Chief Michael D. Brown. In addition, Washoe County staff was acknowledged for the award of the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting – Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Other items on the commission agenda included an update on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, discussion on the county’s alarm ordinance, acceptance of grants and donations, support for ArtTown, board appointments and approval of employment agreement for the executive director of the Flood Management Authority (flood project).
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting [Item 6.D.1]. Washoe County again received a prestigious award acknowledging its comprehensive annual financial reporting which goes beyond minimum reporting principles to support transparency in local government. The certificate is presented by the Government Financial Officers Association of the United States and Canada and is the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting. This is the 30th consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for Washoe County.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) [Item 6.E.2]. The board received an update on ARRA funds, which, to date, has invested $12,348,414 in Washoe County supporting 170.9 positions. A summary of the services provided using ARRA funds is available at http://www.washoecounty.us/mgrsoff/ARRA.html.
Alarm Ordinance [6.F.1]. The commission approved a request from the sheriff to revisit fees for the Alarm Ordinance program and reintroduce the annual fee program for individuals requesting alarm service in Washoe County. The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the request, which initiates the public review process for ordinance revisions. The process includes two public hearings before the Board of County Commissioners. The annual fee program supports administrative costs of the alarm program. The program intent is to reduce false alarms in unincorporated Washoe County.
Donations and ArTown [Items: 6.B., 6.E.1., 6.F.4., 6.F.5., 10]. The commission accepted $78,782 in grants to support the law enforcement and social services programs, $4,835.16 in donations for Regional Animal Services and donation of surplus supplies to the Friends of the Washoe County Library. The board also unanimously supported ArTown’s annual program with a $7,000 sponsorship.
Appointments [Items: 6.C.2.-6.C.4.]. The Board of County Commissioners appointed James Barnes to the Washoe County Planning Commission, Kim Toulouse to the Washoe County Board of Adjustment and Roy Hibdon to the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Commission.
Flood Management Authority [Item: 9]. The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an employment agreement for Jay Aldean to fill the vacant executive director position from the Flood Management Authority.
