Top 5 things you need to know about the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting

Commissioners highlight the Washoe County Strategic Plan.

Reno, Nevada. July 14, 2015. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos-on-demand online.

1. The Board of County Commissioners highlights the Washoe County Strategic Plan, mission, values, and direction.

The County Commissioner’s strategic priorities for 2016-2018 are:

• Proactive economic development and diversification
• Safe, secure and healthy communities
• Stewardship of our community
• Regional and community leadership
• Valued and engaged workforce

In January 2015, the County Commissioners held a strategic planning workshop to define their vision and future for Washoe County. From that initial workshop, Washoe County department leaders then gathered to identify and discuss initiatives to help support the County Commission’s mission, direction, values and goals. In April, the Board approved the 2016-2018 Strategic Plan. The Board will be updated on the progress of the FY 16 goals on a quarterly basis. 

“Washoe County will be the social, economic and policy leadership force that citizens of Northern Nevada will look to and be proud of,” said Washoe County Commission Chair Marsha Berkbigler. “We are here to hear from people of all walks of life and work hard to make our community a great place to live, and this Board will make sure that happens.”

Learn more about the Washoe County Strategic Plan and watch the video featuring County Commissioners.

2. Update on medical marijuana establishments in the State of Nevada and Washoe County.

In accordance with recent legislative changes, the Board approved utilization of the State dispensary rankings, taking the next highest ranked applicant for the newly allocated sixth dispensary; and provided direction to bring any necessary code changes forward for compliance with statute or as recommended by staff.

 Assistant County Manager, Kevin Schiller, also updated the Board on the process for approving medical marijuana establishment location changes.

3. Grant agreement approves training at Washoe County libraries for manufacturing jobs.

The Board approved a grant agreement for up to $15,000 from the Economic Development Authority of Western and the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The money will be used to expand Manufacturing Technician Level 1 training into Reno. Washoe County Library staff will be trained and certified as MT-1 instructors, with the goal of training 20 individuals in the MT-1 curriculum. The grant will also help provide access to the curriculum for the public to use computers and in-house Wi-Fi to study, and also enable one or more libraries to serve as test-assessment centers for MT-1 students.

“With the anticipated growth of manufacturing in Nevada, it’s important that Northern Nevada’s workforce has the skills needed to meet demand and this grant aims to help do just that by using local libraries as places for instruction to prepare our workforce,” said Library Director Arnie Maurins.

Commissioner Kitty Jung thanked the Governor’s Office and EDAWN for their generous contribution and librarians for their hard work.

“Thank you to all our librarians who have become jacks of all trades during the recession and have done so much to help out in so many ways. Your work is helping make this region a better place.”

4. Funding to help children and parents in Child Protective Services pay for living expenses.

The Board approved $280,674, to help parents and children in Child Protective Services pay for home repairs, rental assistance, utility bills, food and other living expenses. Assistant County Manager Kevin Schiller said paying for these goods and services will keep several families together. The money will also pay for Christmas and Thanksgiving meals and presents for children, as well as Adoption Day activities. Adoption Days are held four times throughout the year to celebrate the finalization of family’s adoptions before the court. Many who have been involved in bringing a family together gather to witness this final, joyous step to child permanency.

5. Nevada Aging and Disability Services grant awards for Washoe County seniors.

The Board approved four Nevada Aging and Disability Services grant awards for the Washoe County Senior Services department. Funding from the Older Americans Act and Nevada Independent Living Programs will support DayBreak Adult Day Health, Representative Payee, Homemaker and Case Management Services.

The Department has been an Older Americans Act grant recipient every year since 1978 and provides a broad spectrum of social services for the most vulnerable seniors.

Each of the four services support individuals so they can live safely and independently in their own homes. Most would be at much greater risk or be institutionalized without services.

• DayBreak is an alternative to nursing home care that supports severely disabled seniors and adults. The program provides a safe environment while family members work and allows seniors to age at home with dignity surrounded by loved ones.
• Representative Payee is a money management program, authorized by the Social Security Administration, which stabilizes seniors who are financially at risk. Social workers assist seniors with developing a budget and the department provides bill paying services.
• Homemaker services, such as housekeeping, laundry, shopping and picking up prescriptions, are provided to seniors as part of a comprehensive support system that encourages independence and aging in place.
• Case Management assists seniors and their families with coordinating a support system that allows seniors to remain in their homes. Staff from the Washoe County Senior Services department asses the seniors’ needs and works with them to plan and manage their care.

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