WASHOE COUNTY NEWS
The Washoe County Manager’s Office was awarded the Nevada Taxpayers Association (NTA) 2013 Cashman Good Government Award last week at the NTA’s annual meeting which was held in Carson City.
The Washoe County Manager’s Office was honored for its ongoing Fundamental Review Project which was initiated by a Citizen Committee last year. The project evaluated every program and function to increase efficiency and reduce costs by identifying 64 recommendations, totaling $26.8 million in potential savings for Washoe County. A nationally recognized firm, Management Partners, was engaged to lead the analysis to insure objectivity and comprehensiveness.
“Those recommendations reflected more than 50 interviews and 1,800 employee suggestions,” said Washoe County Manager Katy Simon. “The Fundamental Review Project is now being successfully implemented by project teams under the direction of the citizen committee. So far, $1.06 million in savings has already been realized. We are extremely proud of the teams’ efforts, and especially proud of this recognition.”
First established in 1997, this award recognizes non-elected and full-time employees in State and local government throughout Nevada who promote efficient and timely service to Nevada citizens in a cost-effective, fiscally responsible manner.
The President of the Nevada Taxpayers Association, Carole Vilardo says, “This award recognizes Washoe County for being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars and additionally for being innovative during severely difficult economic times, despite extreme budget cuts and 27 percent fewer staff.”
Nominees for the Cashman Good Government Award were evaluated by a selection committee based on the following criteria:
- The strong, continuing and consistent effort to spend taxpayers’ dollars wisely and efficiently
- Acts which are above and beyond normal job duties
- The effective, open and accountable practice of creating a user-friendly government
- The degree to which the achievement has provided tangible results.
The Cashman Good Government Award is named after the Cashman family, which has been active in Nevada civic affairs for more than 100 years and has provided an exemplary model for those who wish to get involved in bettering the civic environment, according to the NTA website.
