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

Board of County Commissioners proclaims March 31, 2016, as Cesar Chavez Day.

Reno, Nevada. March 15, 2016. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 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 (BCC) proclaim March 31, 2016, as Cesar Chavez Day. At Tuesday’s meeting, County Commissioners proclaimed March 31, 2016, as Cesar Chavez Day. In 1962, Chavez moved to Delano, Calif., where he founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. Chavez conducted multiple 25 to 36-day fasts to draw attention to the suffering of farm workers and their families. The non-violent protests showed Chavez’s dedication to supporting a cause all while staying committed to no violence.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded Chavez the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest level of honor in the United States. In an effort to never forget Chavez’s work, on May 18, 2009, Assembly Bill 301 was signed into law at the Nevada Legislature proclaiming every March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day in Nevada.

2. County Commissioners proclaim support for Basin and Range Organics. As part of an ongoing effort to encourage all Washoe County residents to frequent local and Nevada businesses, County Commissioners proclaimed support for Basin and Range Organics (BARO).  BARO is a Nevada-based organic certification agency for producers and handlers in Nevada.  The agency earned a Certificate of Accreditation to offer certification services and grant organic certificates throughout Nevada in four areas: crops, wild crops, livestock, and handling operations.

BARO was created July 2015, after the Nevada Ag Council discontinued the Organics Program. Their mission is to promote the production and consumption of accessible, healthy food while still protecting the land, its resources and wildlife. BARO plans to do that by working on building an educational base for regional farmers, ranchers, handlers and the overall community.

3. County Commissioners proclaim March 16, 2016, Kick Butts Day. Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism that empowers youth and others to speak up and take action to help prevent youth tobacco use. Tobacco use is the leading cause of disease and preventable death in the United States. County Commissioners believe preventing youth from trying tobacco is a critical step in combating the problem of tobacco use.

4. Two vehicles donated to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. County Commissioners accepted a donation of two vehicles from the National Insurance Crime Bureau for the Washoe County Sherriff’s Office to use in undercover and bait operations.

5. Office of the County Manager presents overview of services. Earlier this month, Washoe County Manager John Slaughter and Assistant County Managers Joey Orduna Hastings and Kevin Schiller gave a presentation to County Commissioners about the Office of the County Manager’s accomplishments from the past year and goals for the upcoming year.

The mission of the Office of the County Manager is to provide leadership to the organization in support of Citizens, the Board of County Commissioners and the Employees of Washoe County.

As chief executive for Washoe County, County Manager Slaughter serves as a liaison between the Board of County Commissioners, elected and appointed department directors, other governmental jurisdictions, the community, business groups, employees and county customers.

Click here to watch an overview of the fast-paced day in the life of the Manager’s Office staff.

“I personally want to take a moment to thank all the Office of the County Manager staff for all the hard work you put in on a daily basis,” Washoe County Commission Chair Kitty Jung said. “County Manager John Slaughter, you have far exceeded my expectations. This staff is a direct reflection of your good judgment. I believe public service is the highest calling, so thanks to each and every one of you for answering your call.”

View photos of today’s meeting online.

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