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

BCC approves the process to adopt Medical Marijuana Establishment regulations.

Reno, Nevada. Feb. 9, 2016. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos on-demand online.

1. Board of County Commissioners approved the process to adopt Medical Marijuana Establishment regulations. The Board of County Commissioners directed staff to initiate appropriate County Code changes in three areas: 

Adopt a Medical Marijuana Establishment (MME) Business License Fee Model

Incorporate legislative MME changes from the 2015 Nevada legislature

Incorporate an approval process for future MMEs located in the Neighborhood Commercial regulatory zone

The board also directed staff to include codes that will require a review process before recreational marijuana, if the 2016 voter initiative is approved.

The MME business license fee model is based on the County’s current liquor license fee model.  That model charges a quarterly license fee with additional license fees based on reported annual gross receipts.

The 2015 Nevada State Legislature passed two bills that affect current County MME regulations. Senate Bill 276 amends the current five mile restriction on the relocation of a MME and enables the Board to approve relocations within unincorporated Washoe County. Assembly Bill 70 enables Washoe County to recover costs related to inspections, review, and other related tasks.

The new regulations will not apply to currently licensed MMEs or those MMEs in the business license application process.  All action by the Board will result in various changes to County Codes, which will follow the normal County Code review and adoption process to include hearings before the Planning Commission for zoning related codes and the Board for final code approval.

2. Receipt of audit report for the collection of Assembly Bill 104 Gaming Tax. At Tuesday’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the County Commission received a staff report and copy of a report from an independent audit firm concerning the under collection of certain gaming taxes. 

The Board of County Commissioners directed staff to bring back options in regards to the collection of the gaming tax, length of time, how it can be collected and redistributed.  Commissioners will discuss this issue at a future board meeting.

As part of Washoe County’s ongoing administrative review of procedures and processes, an error was recently discovered in the amount collected from gaming operators for certain gaming taxes (AB 104 Gaming Taxes). The Washoe County budget team identified a decline, not related to the recession, in the amount of gaming taxes collected each year beginning in Fiscal Year 2009. From Fiscal Year 2009 through FY 2015, approximately $4.8 million was under-collected in gaming taxes. The annual average impact on Washoe County during FY 2009-2015 was $460,000, which is approximately less than a quarter of one percent (0.16 percent)of the Washoe County annual General Fund revenues during that time frame.

“Once this error was discovered, Washoe County administration took action and retained an independent audit firm, Grant Thornton, who confirmed that an error did indeed occur dating back to 2009,” Washoe County Manager John Slaughter said. “Grant Thornton also provided recommendations to improve internal controls to prevent this from happening in the future. The Board of County Commissioners will review the issue and options at a future meeting.”

Background

In 1991, the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 104, which modified NRS 491 and changed the way a portion of sales tax was distributed among counties. The calculation of the annual gaming tax due is based on a percentage of the sum of the AB 104 portion of property taxes, sales tax, real property transfer tax, gaming taxes and interest. AB 104 is part of the fees and taxes that gaming operators pay in addition to their annual business licensing fees. While reviewing the amount of gaming taxes collected, staff identified that a mistake was made when calculating the amount of gaming taxes due to local governments. The error was due to a misapplication of the correct formula.

For Fiscal Year 2017, which starts on July 1, 2016, gaming establishments will receive bills with the correct amount of the gaming tax.

For more information, see a list of frequently asked questions.

3. Washoe County Regional Animal Services Department presentation. Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) Director Shyanne Schull gave County Commissioners an overview of essential services that Regional Animal Services. WCRAS is a regional resource center for pet-related needs and received more than 35,000 service calls in 2015, with officers providing assistance seven days per week.

Regional Animal Services conducts investigations such as neglect, cruelty, dangerous dogs and animal bites.

“Regional Animal Services is committed to answering the community’s need for responsive and professional animal care and control services,” Schull said. “In addition to providing our essential day-to -day services, we are looking for ways to expand our reach for mutually beneficial goals.”

Schull said Regional Animal Services is focusing on rebranding initiatives that will help establish them as a resource center. Part of their plan is to redesign their web page and all educational resources to incorporate their proactive philosophy. 

Staff is also focused on spay/neuter programs and providing resources for seniors with pets to help limit potential pet-related issues before they arise.

“WCRAS’ relationship with the public and local veterinarian hospitals is tremendous. Your staff has done a phenomenal job. Your field officers are always looking to help and reach out to the community,” Washoe County Commission Vice-Chair Bob Lucey (Dist. 2) said. “Often times, what you guys do goes without thanks. Thank you from this County Commission for all that you and your team do for pets and people in our community.”

Click here to see the Washoe County Regional Animal Services video.

4. Washoe County Technology Services Department presentation. Washoe County Chief Information Officer Craig Betts gave County Commissioners an overview of the Technology Services Department and discussed how the technology they use is helping staff better connect with citizens.

“Enabling easier access and processing of regional permits and business licenses is the advantage of just one of the new web-based applications that Technology Services is working on to improve citizens’ experience in doing business with the County,” Betts said.

The County’s Tech Services Department has 79 staff that support functions such as technology infrastructure, geographical information systems, mobile radios, applications, help desk, PC, mobile devices and document storage.  Betts said keeping applications systems running faster and more efficiently with current cybersecurity helps ensure business transactions are a positive experience while making the sure information remains secure.

Betts highlighted a project to replace the Public Safety Radio system used throughout the County and State through the County’s partnerships with the State of Nevada and NV Energy. The radio system supports more than 6,000 mobile radios to connect emergency personnel and first responders for communications throughout the state.

Click here to see the Washoe County Technology Services Department presentation video.

5. Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report shows Washoe County in good position financially. The Board of County Commissioners acknowledged the receipt of the Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Nevada Revised Statute requires Washoe County to issue an annual report on its financial position and operations for the fiscal year.

The following are highlights from the financial report.

• $48 million decrease in outstanding debt in 2015
• $38 million attributed to the Truckee Meadows Water Authority’s assumption of outstanding obligations relating to the water utility
• Revenues from governmental activities increased $25 million, while expenditures increased by only $10 million

“Washoe County continues to provide strong financial leadership for its citizens and will continue this trend by closely monitoring all expenditures,” Washoe County Comptroller Cathy Hill said.

Hill said the County also continues to benefit by continuing to attain the highest bond ratings from rating agencies Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s.

See the CAFR here.

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