WASHOE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Below are highlights of some of the actions taken by the Board of Washoe County Commissioners at its Oct. 25 meeting.
ARRA: The board accepted an update report on the status of the Washoe County American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. To date, Washoe County has received 22 ARRA grants awards, which are intended to create jobs and promote investment and consumer spending during the recession. Washoe County has invested $11,223,605 in ARRA projects, sustaining 132 jobs, with 96 percent of the projects funding going to local contractors. For more information, visit www.washoecounty.us/mgrsoff/ARRA.html.
Donations: The board accepted donations to Washoe County Regional Animal Services in the amount of $4,514 to be used for the humane care and treatment of sick and/or injured, stray or abandoned animals. In addition, the board accepted $70,475 for Washoe County Senior Services to provide to the county’s growing senior population.
Local Jobs: The board awarded a janitorial services contract to a single vendor, Qual-Econ U.S.A., for seven Washoe County facilities, which include Regional Animal Services, Reno Senior Center, Sparks Senior Center, Health-Chest Clinic, Medical Examiner’s Office, McGee Center and Kid Kottage II Gym. These facilities previously had separate contracted services. By consolidating the contracts, Washoe County will save $31,139.76 per year. It is anticipated that eight local jobs will be sustained. The board awarded a construction contract to Farr Construction to rehabilitate Spring Creek Water Tanks in the amount $257,027. It is anticipated that nine local jobs will be sustained. Lastly, the board awarded a well-drilling services contact to Boart Longyear Company to monitor the water supply wells for the Central Truckee Meadows Remediation District in the amount of $399,585. It is anticipated that nine local jobs will be sustained.
Sparks Justice Court: The Sparks Justice Court has consolidated the supervision of two departments, which will result in $8,437 annual savings. The consolidation was needed to balance the workload of staff that has been impacted by three consecutive years of budget cuts.
Truckee River Corridor: The board approved an amendment that will extend the time frame for implementing projects to June 30, 2014, for State Question 1 funds ($10,000,000 in total). These funds are used to restore and enhance the Truckee River Corridor by acquiring water rights and providing recreational facilities and parking. For each dollar expended, an equal dollar must be matched by providing services, materials and equipment.
Regional Parks and Open Space Fees: The board approved changes to Regional Parks and Open Space Fees and Charges Policy and 2012 Schedule. The changes were based on discussions/information obtained from staff committee meetings, a comparative market analysis, a review of cost recovery and customer feedback. For more information, visit www.washoecounty.us/parks or call 775-823-6500.
Grants: The board accepted several grants, including an Office of Criminal Justice Assistance grant in the amount of $1,063 (with no county match required) to support the Adolescent Drug, Alcohol Prevention and Treatment project and a Nevada Office of Traffic Safety grant in the amount of $76,300 (no county match required) to cover the overtime costs to conduct traffic enforcement checkpoints.
