WASHOE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Board of Commissioners held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 13, and took action on items including: approved the Declaration of Canvass of Vote and Order for the 2012 General Election; decided to schedule a Board workshop and a public hearing on restructuring the debt for the Reno Aces baseball stadium prior to the Commissioners’ next meeting in December; directed staff to work on a proposal with other interested fire agencies on a possible Citizen Blue Ribbon Committee to study regionalized fire and emergency response services; directed the County Manager to work with the City Managers and the District Health Officer to formulate a plan to implement recommended improvements for the provision of emergency services; acknowledged receipt of an updated report on the Washoe County American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; approved a final design for the North Valleys Regional Water Park; approved an agreement with Volunteers of America for Washoe County Social Services; and approved a request to initiate proceedings to amend building codes along with five other city and county partners.
Canvass of Vote and Order for the 2012 General Election: Item 5. The State of Nevada (NRS 293.387) requires the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to canvass the returns of elections held in the County.
“Compared to the 2008 General Election, we had 241,214 registered voters this year, which is an increase of 9,777,” said Washoe County Registrar of Voters Dan Burk. “Our turnout for the General Election in 2008 was 180,676 and 188,244 this year, which is an increase of 7,568 more voters,” said Burk.
Burk said the County saved $65,000 this election because sample ballots were completely designed in-house. Burk also said Washoe County issued a record number of 1,987 Provisional Ballots during the 2012 General Election. Provisional Ballots are provided to individuals wishing to vote who are not in the voter registration database or who decline to report to their own polling place to vote. The Provisional Ballots only provide the ability to cast votes in federal offices. Of those, 990 were determined to be validly cast by qualified Washoe County voters and were counted, while 997 were determined to be voted by unqualified or ineligible voters and those ballots were, as required by law, not opened or counted.
Restructuring debt for the construction of the Reno Aces baseball stadium: Item 33. The status report and possible action on restructuring debt for the construction of the Reno Aces baseball stadium was continued to the Board’s December 11, 2012 meeting so that all Commissioners could be present. The matter was set for a time certain of 6:00 p.m. December 11.
Discussion of a citizen committee to study and make recommendations regarding a regionalized fire and emergency response: Item 31. The Commissioners directed staff to work with other interested fire agencies to bring forward a plan to establish a Citizen Blue Ribbon Committee to review and make recommendations for a regionalized fire and emergency response service for the residents of Washoe County.
August 2012 TriData Emergency Medical Systems Analysis Final Report: Item 32. The Commissioners gave direction to staff to work with the four entities of Washoe County, the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, and the Washoe County Health District to implement recommendations of the TriData report and return to the governing bodies for action on the development of a regional Emergency Medical Services agency, improvements in emergency medical dispatch, and renegotiation of the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) franchise agreement.
Washoe County American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Item 6.I.1. Washoe County has received 24 grant awards, and increased reimbursement rates for four social service programs, for $18.6 million. The estimated total jobs to be supported through these funds are 184.05 full time equivalents. The number of jobs funded with ARRA funds during the July through September 2012 quarter total 6.52. The cumulative number of quarterly jobs funded was 198 positions. The total ARRA funds expended through September 2012 was $15,268,733. To date, l9 of the 24 grant projects, as well as the four social service programs, are complete. For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act programs in Washoe County, visit www.washoecounty.us/mgrsoff/ARRA.html.
Final design for the North Valleys Regional Water Park: Item 23. Commissioners approved the final design for a water play/splash pad and amenities at the North Valleys Regional Park, as identified as a top priority by residents. The Commissioners also approved the issuance of a Request for Bids for construction of the project. This $3.2 million project will be funded from water rights proceeds from Sierra Sage Golf Course.
Agreement with Volunteers of America for Washoe County Social Services: Item 26. Commissioners awarded the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Shelter Plus Care I Consolidated Grant to Volunteers of America for Greater Sacramento and Northern Nevada on behalf of Washoe County Social Services. The RFP is for up to $120,960 for housing costs in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funds.
Initiate amendments to building codes with five other city and county partners: Item 6.E.1. In November, 2011, the department began the review and development process for proposed amendments to the 2012 International Codes. This was done in conjunction with local construction associations and other building departments in the area, including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, and Lyon County. Almost 50 contractors, architects, engineers and code officials participated in three subcommittees and one steering committee. The scope of the process was developing one regional amendment package to the 2012 International Codes.
