5 things you need to know about the Washoe County budget

Commissioners adopt fiscal year 2015-16 budget funding 60 additional positions.

Reno, Nevada. May 18, 2015.The Washoe County Board of Commissioners adopted a $559.92 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2015-16 on Monday.  The Washoe County budget provides funding for 24 County departments, including eight elected offices, the Washoe County Health District, Juvenile Services, District Courts and the Justice Courts.

The approved FY 2015-16 Washoe County budget includes funding for 60 new full-time positions supporting the Board of County Commission FY 16-18 Strategic Goals.  Many of the new positions were created through the realignment of existing department budgets and did not require additional General Fund revenues.

County Manager John Slaughter said the budget reflects his message of cautious optimism. “I want to thank our budget and fiscal staff, department heads and directors for their dedication to preparing a budget we can all be proud of. This budget provides the County with the resources needed to impact citizens in a positive way every day and remain financially prudent.”

Additional highlights from the approved Washoe County budget include:

1. Economic development
   A Business Facilitator position to help meet growing economic development and diversification within Washoe County. The Business Facilitator will serve as a single point of contact for development and permitting applicants.
   
   
2. Washoe County parks funding
   An increase in the investment in quality of life, including 19 parks capital projects totaling $4.2 million dollars. Funding for upcoming parks projects and programs includes: $500,000 for a new irrigation system in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park; re-establish an investment in the seasonal labor force necessary to maintain parks; restroom/concession at Eagle Canyon Park, playground improvements at New Washoe City Park and North Valleys Regional Park, Greenhouse at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, and Hunter Creek Bridge.
   
   
3. Public Safety
   The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Alternate Sentencing and Medical Examiner resource additions bolster community safety and health. The approved budget includes funding for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Program, new equipment at the crime lab, new equipment for the Medical Examiner’s Office, Victim Witness Advocate and additional staff in booking/detention at the jail.
   
   
4. Senior citizens
   Washoe County is working to keep seniors services on pace with the rising senior population. One example includes a partnership with Senior Services and Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada for the operation of Senior Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels. The Board authorized Senior Services to prepare the transition plan with Catholic Charities as the primary source for meals as federal funding has been dropping due to budget cuts.
   
   Working with a non-profit for management of the Senior Nutrition Program will allow for increased funding to serve more meals to homebound seniors. More than 335,000 meals per year are served to seniors through the Washoe County Meals on Wheels program. Partnering with Catholic Charities will allow for an additional 70,000 meals to be served.
   
   
5. Communication with citizens
   Washoe County is funding a citizen call center to improve response to requests from residents and business owners, providing a single point of contact for the many services Washoe County provides.

“Washoe County remains committed to providing quality customer service to our valuable citizens,” said Washoe County Chair Marsha Berkbigler. “This budget provides a reasonable but conservative approach to balance future needs.”

The fiscal year 2015/16 County budget goes into effect July 1, 2015. To view the entire budget, click here.

Click here to see a picture of the budget hearing.

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