Highlights from Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting

The Board encourages County residents to buy local and support Nevada businesses.

Reno, Nevada. Aug. 18 2015. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos-on-demand online.

The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed support for the Nevada Department of Agriculture's program and encouraged all County residents to frequent local businesses and Buy Nevada businesses.

"The Buy Nevada program is an important effort in our state," said the Director of the Nevada Dept. of Agriculture, Jim Barbee.

The Buy Nevada program promotes the Nevada food and agriculture industry. The program is a vital part of local and state economic development. In 2013, the Buy Nevada program was created by Governor Brian Sandoval through a state marketing initiative. Since then, demand for locally produced food has increased to include 144 Buy NV members, 59 of those in Washoe County. Those businesses include farmers and ranchers, distributors, restaurants, retailers and more. Buying local boosts the agriculture industry, supports local farms and creates healthier communities.

"We were the first municipality to endorse the buy local campaign in 2008," said Commissioner Kitty Jung (District 3). "The buy local movement is so important and Washoe County continues to be advocates and innovators for the buy local, Buy Nevada campaign."

The Board accepted the following donations:

• $7,139 in money donations for Washoe County Regional Animal Services. The money will be used for the care and treatment of sick, injured, stray and abandoned animals.
• $13,494 in cash donations from local businesses, organizations and citizens for Regional Parks and Open Space programs and facilities. Some of the money was donated specifically to the Hawkins Amphitheater and the Wilbur D. May Museum.
• $567,478 from the Wilbur May Foundation to help operate the Wilbur D. May Center. The money will go toward employee training and the renovation of the May Museum Garden Court.
• $1,800 from Nevada Bighorns Unlimited Reno to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office for the Sheriff’s Office Deputy Reserve Program. The money will also be used for food purchases and travel. The Board thanked Dennis Wilson and Steve Field for their generous donation.
• $8,639 from the Sun Valley General Improvement District to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. The money will be used for the Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau Graffiti Abatement specifically in Sun Valley. Garth Elliott, a Trustee with the Sun Valley General Improvement District was recognized by the Board for this donation.

All photos from Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting can be seen online.

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