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

Commission approves Free Pet Microchip Program for all Washoe County residents.

Reno, Nevada. Nov. 10, 2015. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos on-demand online.

1. County Commission approves Free Microchip Program for Washoe County residents with pets.

The Free Microchip Program for Washoe County residents with pets will be paid for by the Animal Services budget authority. Continuation of this program will assist in the safe return of animals to their owners and to allow Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) to redirect funds to newly created community and educational outreach programs. 

More than 10 million pets are separated from their owners every year, costing shelters space, time and money to care for them. Without identification, pets are rarely, if ever, reunited with their owners. Animal Services Director Shyanne Schull said the hope is the Free Microchip Program will decrease the number of pets that go missing and increase the number of pets reunited with their owners.  

As a result of the microchip program launched in 2013, nearly 14,000 pets have been chipped, saving the County more than $1.4 million. Due to the success of this campaign and positive feedback from residents in Washoe County, the Board voted to continue the campaign through Jan. 31, 2016. More information on microchipping.

 2. Washoe County receives a perfect score by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program for emergency preparedness. The Washoe County Emergency Management Homeland Security Program earned a perfect score and accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). The EMAP is the sole national accreditation process that provides emergency management programs the opportunity to be evaluated and recognized for compliance with industry standards.

To achieve accreditation, Washoe County had to meet 64 industry standards and pass an onsite assessment by a national team of assessors. EMAP uses the accreditation to determine the capabilities of preparedness and response systems. EMAP found Washoe County is dedicated to the safety and security of Washoe County’s citizens and is doing a great job in preparing for any type of emergency.

“This is an intense but necessary process that makes sure we are prepared for an emergency and I’m glad the EMAP Commission found we are doing just that,” Washoe County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Program Manager Aaron Kenneston said. “Thank you to the Washoe County Commission and all those who work so diligently on emergency management daily in an effort to keep our citizens safe.”

Washoe County Manager John Slaughter commended Kenneston.

“Aaron and I have worked together during the decade he’s been here and discussed quite often what kind of Emergency Management Program we wanted in Washoe County,” Slaughter said. “Part of what we wanted was to work alongside staff at the local, regional, state and national levels and that priority has never changed. The plan we envisioned is now being recognized nationally and I thank Aaron and his team for that.”

The accreditation is valid for five years.

3. County Commission honors veterans by hosting “Always Lost: A Meditation on War” exhibit.

Commissioners proclaimed support of the exhibit Always Lost: A Meditation of War and encouraged Washoe County residents to visit the exhibit and reflect upon the great sacrifices that our soldiers have made to ensure our freedom.  

Washoe County is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the Western Nevada College (WNC) nationally touring arts and humanities exhibition at the Washoe County Administration Complex building B., Monday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. The war memorial will be available for public viewing weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 15, 2016.

At the heart of this unique war memorial is the Wall of the Dead, featuring faces and names of U.S. military service members who perished in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars since Sept. 11, 2001. Along with the exhibition’s poignant memorial wall, “Always Lost,” brings home the individual and collective costs of war through original poetry by Nevada writers.

The exhibit also includes the 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning Iraq War combat photograph collection, courtesy of The Dallas Morning News; photographic portraits and interviews of WNC student veterans who represent the thousands of service members returning home from the wars.

“Washoe County is honored to host such a unique exhibit that depicts the tragic realities of war all while honoring our veterans,” Commission Chair Marsha Berkbigler said. “We hope everyone gets a chance to come out and pay their respects to those who gave so much to fight for our freedom.”

What: Always Lost: A Meditation on War exhibit

When: Ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m.

Where: Washoe County Administration Complex in building B.

Viewing hours: M-F, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 15, 2016.

“We meet freely because of what our veterans have given and what our active military does every single day,” Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung (Dist. 4) said. “I am eternally grateful and indebted to them for what they do for our country. Thank you.”

Information about the Always Lost: A Meditation on War exhibit can be found online.

4. Washoe County residents save on flood insurance premiums.  At Tuesday’s meeting, the County Commission approved and signed the Community Rating System Recertification Submittal Request which continues a program for reduced flood insurance premiums for Washoe County residents by 15 percent. The reduction is for residents living within special flood hazard areas of unincorporated Washoe County. Residents in these zones are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). However, the NFIP allows communities that provide additional protection to property in the FEMA floodplains an opportunity to apply for reductions in flood policy premiums.

In October of 2008, Washoe County was certified by the program to provide such protection. Since then, it has renewed its certification every year for the benefit of Washoe County residents in special flood hazard areas. As of 2015, 656 residents of unincorporated Washoe County receive a 15 percent reduction on their flood insurance premiums for a combined savings of more than $113,000 per year.

5. Ordinance regulating retail sales of pets at animal shops. The County Commission introduced an ordinance amending Washoe County Code to create provisions regulating establishments that sell animals. This ordinance establishes an animal welfare permit process for pet stores, boarding facilities and all places that sell animals within Washoe County. The permit works in conjunction with the business licensing divisions of Washoe County and the cities of Sparks and Reno in an effort to ensure animal health and safety within our community.

This ordinance is part of a process that began with a public workshop hosted by Washoe County at Wilbur D. May Museum on Aug. 27, 2014. At the workshop, public and staff discussed ways to regulate those Washoe County establishments that sell animals. During the public input process, new questions regarding code revisions and proposed code amendments were written backed upon public input.

A public hearing, second reading and possible adoption of a revised ordinance is scheduled for Dec. 8, 2015 at 6 p.m.

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

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