Highlights from Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting

Commission recognizes volunteers from Leadership Reno-Sparks for helping with Kids Kottage remodel.

Reno, Nevada. April 19, 2016. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos-on-demand online.

County Commissioners accept donation for Kids Kottage remodel. County Commissioners accepted a $11,708 donation from A&H Insurance and Leadership Reno-Sparks from the Chamber of Commerce for the Social Services Department.

The funds donated by Leadership Reno-Sparks (LRS) are being used to revamp the Kids Kottage playground and garden. The common living areas and children’s bedrooms have also been upgraded. Volunteers from last year’s LRS class made the remodel a reality. In all, LRS, with the help of local business leaders, gave more than $140,000 in time, materials and monetary donations to the project.

The idea to remodel the Kids Kottage came after local business leaders proposed LRS pick a community improvement and fundraising project. The LRS class of 2015 selected the Kids Kottage. Volunteers raised funds and awareness for the project and dedicated hundreds of hours organizing, painting, demoing, planting, installing, and assembling.

Chief Deputy Russ Pederson with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and a foster parent oversaw the project. 

“This generous donation by Leadership Reno-Sparks has made such a difference for the staff and children at the Kottage,” Washoe County Children’s Division Director for Social Services Alice LeDesma said. “The environment is friendlier and everyone loves the colors and great improvements. The enthusiasm and dedication this team brought with them is amazing and will be felt for a very long time by the families we work with.” 

The Kids Kottage serves 60 children a day on average. The children, from newborn to 18 years old, have been removed from their homes due to abuse and/or neglect. To donate to or volunteer for Kids Kottage and other Children’s Services, go here.

County Commissioners proclaim April 18-24, 2016, as Volunteer Week in Washoe County: The Board proclaimed next week as Volunteer Week in Washoe County. Washoe County had 6,285 volunteers perform nearly 59,000 hours of volunteer service in 2015. That is an estimated value of more than $1.1million in community service savings to the County.

Volunteer Week gives the County an opportunity to express appreciation to the thousands of volunteers who have supported Washoe County and renew the County’s call for citizens to commit to volunteer efforts that put their expertise and interests to work for the benefit of our community.

“We could not run our great County without our wonderful volunteers. We thank each and every single one of you for dedicating your time and energy to such great causes,” said Washoe County Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler (Dist. 1.)

Learn more about volunteer opportunities with Washoe County.

In addition, County Commissioners proclaimed the following:

• April 10-16, 2016 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
• May 2016 as Nevada Wildfire Awareness Week
• May 2016 as Older Americans Month
• May 2016 as Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month

Note: The week of May 14-20, 2016, is Bike Week.

• April 2016 as Fair Housing Month
• April 10-16, 2016, as National Library Week
• April 2016 as National County Government Month

County Commissioners also accepted $2,299 in donations for Senior Services. The money will go toward providing services to support Washoe County’s growing senior population.

View photos of today’s meeting online. 

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