WASHOE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Topics at the regular meeting of the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners yesterday included honoring Washoe County employees for their generous contributions to United Way, 149 jobs created in our community using American Resource and Recovery Act stimulus funds and expanded programs for juvenile offenders and community members in need. Additional information on these items and others are below including:
United Way Honors Washoe County Employees: United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierras acknowledged the flourishing culture, behavior and commitment of Washoe County employees to make their community a better place through the annual employee United Way campaign. The annual donation program kicked off in the fall of 2011, raising over $66,000 for the 2012 year. Over the last 10 years, employees have contributed over $1,000,000 to United Way. The campaign is run by employee volunteers. This year’s campaign organizers, Grady Tarbutton, Kim Robinson, Dawn Spinola and all department champions, were acknowledged for their leadership. [Agenda Item 5]
Washoe County ARRA Programs and Local Jobs: The board accepted a report on American Recovery and Reinvestment Funds (ARRA, Stimulus Funding). In Washoe County the funding supported 149 positions in our community. Among many others, the projects include building a new fire station, fire restoration projects, Sheriff Office programs including Kids to Korners, meals for seniors, homeless prevention, foreclosure assistance and solar voltaic installations. Washoe County received 23 grant awards exceeding $18 million dollars and has spent over $11 million in our community to date. [Agenda Item 6D]
Donations: The board accepted several donations. From Citizen Ryan Souza $200 was donated toward supplies for the K9 Unit at the Sheriff’s Office and $4,043.50 for Washoe County Regional Animal Services for human care and treatment of stray or abandoned animals. [Agenda Items 6I1; 6I2]
Juvenile Work Programs, University of Nevada Reno Partnership and first reading of a new Social Services ordinance: In separate agenda items, the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners approved a formal agreement with the Children’s Cabinet to expand a juvenile work program which provides an opportunity for juvenile offenders to be accountable for their infractions and examine the impact their infractions have on the community. In addition, the Board approved a contract with the University of Nevada Reno for student internships. The Washoe County Department of Juvenile Services partners with the University Of Nevada School Of Social Work to provide a learning opportunity for students to gain valuable field experience while earning college credit and contributing to our community.
The commission also introduced a first reading of an ordinance that facilitates the Social Services department directly paying community service providers for assistance to indigent individuals, rather than providing direct cash assistance to eligible clients. A collaborative pilot project with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Reno Justice Court, Kids to Seniors Korner program and other transitional housing and treatment providers has been found to save the community thousands of dollars while successfully helping numerous indigent individuals throughout the county. Ordinance revisions are reviewed twice at public hearings before the Board of County Commissioners. [Agenda items 6H1, 6H2, 23, 24]
The Washoe County Board of County Commissioner’s agenda packet is available online at www.washoecounty.us/bcc. In addition, the meetings are played on Washoe Channel 217 and video is posted online at www.washoecounty.us/wctv.
