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

Truckee River Operating Agreement will help provide more water storage during times of drought.

Reno, Nevada. Aug. 25, 2015. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25, 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 approved an agreement to satisfy the obligation of Washoe County, the city of Reno, the city of Sparks, and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, pursuant to the Truckee River Operating Agreement to provide 6,700 acre-feet of water rights. The Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) between Sparks, Reno, Washoe County and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe will provide more water storage during drought. The agreement is the result of extensive cooperative efforts between California, Nevada, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation, Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA), Reno, Sparks and Washoe County to modify the operation of this system for the benefit of all involved.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) provided a written statement to the Board of County Commissioners which said in part, “Not only will the implementation of TROA provide the Truckee Meadows with very favorable drought rules to allow for more upstream storage of water for use by residents of the Truckee Meadows, but it will provide flexibility to cope with changing weather patterns that this area has been experiencing in recent years.”

The Truckee River System consists of Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, its tributaries, reservoirs, and Pyramid Lake where the river ends. The TROA will modernize the archaic operation of the system to improve the ability to manage the system and will provide opportunities for increased water storage during times of drought. The agreement will also improve water quality and increase habitat within the lower system of the Truckee River.

2. The Board approves a resolution proposing to consolidate Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District with Sierra Fire Protection District. The Board approved a resolution to allow consolidation of the Sierra Fire Protection District with Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD). The consolidated district will be known solely as Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.  The only change taxpayers will notice is the name change on their tax bills. Chief Moore said the consolidation will not affect existing tax rates.

Both fire districts have been operating as one district since July 2012, but each district is a separate taxing entity.  Consolidation of the two entities will save taxpayers money and simplify fiscal and administrative processes. TMFPD Chief Charlie Moore said the cost of preparing two sets of books and paying for two audits is unnecessary.  The Board will hold a hearing on Sept. 25, 2015, to discuss whether consolidation is feasible and in the best interests of the constituents.

3. The Board accepts a Community Development Block Grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development to help seniors. The Board accepted a $152,454 Community Block Grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development for the Rural Senior Ambassador Volunteer Program. Money from the grant will help support seniors living in unincorporated Washoe County. This grant provides funds to design and implement a volunteer program to enhance the home delivered meals with volunteer drivers and to expand social activities at the congregate meal sites in rural senior centers. 

“Washoe County’s population is aging which makes programs like the Rural Senior Ambassador Program extremely important,” said Chair Marsha Berkbigler, (Dist. 1).“This grant shows how Washoe County and the State of Nevada value our seniors and will continue to help meet their needs in the future.”

4. Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen presents the Sheriff’s mission, goals and accomplishments. Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen provided the Board with a broad overview of their service to citizens and re-emphasized his agency’s commitment to the community.

Sheriff Allen described the roles of each Washoe County Sheriff’s primary bureaus which include Operations, Detention, Administration, along with the Forensic Science Division.

Sheriff Allen highlighted the Inmate Assistance Program (IAP) which works in partnership with the courts, parole & probation, detention medical staff, substance abuse programs and community service agencies to identify suitable alternatives to incarceration for inmates. The program works to place people in treatment programs, arrange travel to family, support groups and/or connecting them with appropriate services saving more 38,000 jail days for fiscal year 14-15.

Sheriff Allen said his Office is focused on boosting the Washoe County Sheriff’s Reserve Program as a way for citizens to get involved in helping protect the community. Reservist volunteers work for the Sheriff’s Office a couple times a month and have policing power. Reservists have spent nearly 2,048 hours of their time giving back to the community for fiscal year 14-15.

The Sheriff’s Office employs approximately 760 full-time and part-time personnel. Sheriff Allen said one of his main goals is maintaining sufficient staffing and equipment levels. He said he also wants to reorganize the current structure of the Sheriff’s Office’s Public Safety Dispatch Center to better serve the public.

“I am very humbled and proud to be serving this County as Sheriff,” said Sheriff Chuck Allen. “Thank you to each and every one of our employees and volunteers for helping make sure we do a great service to this community.”

For more information about the Sheriff’s Office, follow them on Facebook and Twitter, or visit them online at www.WashoeSheriff.com.

5. The Board reschedules first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 110 regarding sign code.

Washoe County Commissioners voted to postpone the 6 p.m. hearing on the proposed sign code ordinance amendments until Sept. 8, 2015. The postponement allows for all Washoe County Commissioners to be present.

The public hearing and first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 110 related to regulations on signs is rescheduled for Sept. 8, 2015.

Public feedback is encouraged and appreciated. Residents interested in learning more about the proposed sign code changes and providing feedback, may visit Open Washoe, an online forum. Comments are provided directly to County Commissioners for consideration.

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