Top 5 things to know from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting

County Commission approves expansion of senior services programs to Incline Village.

Reno, Nevada. Dec. 13, 2016. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. You can watch videos on-demand online.

1. County Commission approves money for a senior center in Incline Village. County Commissioners approved a General Fund Contingency transfer of $75,000 to the Senior Services Fund to pay for the expansion of Washoe County senior services programs to Incline Village.

The expansion will include a new senior center in Incline Village, nutrition, caregiver support, community programs, clinical services and innovative initiatives to benefit indigent seniors living within Washoe County. The senior center will be located at 855 Alder Ave., on Washoe County property near the current Incline Village Library.

The expansion will help older adults through caregivers maintain independence, dignity and quality in their lives by providing direct and indirect social and health services.  

There is a significant need to enhance senior service resources in Incline Village to include a congregate meal site, increase in social activities, case management services and homemaker services for seniors in that area. 

“This is just the beginning when it comes to supporting our valued seniors within Washoe County,” said Assistant County Manager Kevin Schiller. “The 60-plus population is the fastest growing age group in Washoe County, so plenty still remains to be done and will get done as County leadership prepares for the influx of seniors anticipated in the near future.”

Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler (Dist. 1) said the Commission is dedicated to helping the senior population.

“Our aging community is affecting everyone,” Berkbigler said. “The goal of Washoe County Senior Services is to make sure that as the number of seniors living within Washoe County increases, we continue to make improvements in our ability to meet the unique needs of the senior population and this senior center in Incline Village is a good start.” 

2. County Commission approves a contract with Bell-Men Golf to manage Washoe Golf Course. County Commissioners approved a professional services agreement to Bell-Men Golf, 3-2 (Hartung, Lucey dissent), to manage Washoe Golf Course beginning Jan. 1, 2017, through June 30, 2021.

Additionally, County Commissioners agreed to accept $120,000 immediate payment by Bell-Men Golf, 3-2 (Hartung, Lucey dissent), to resolve outstanding payments. Both Washoe County and Bell-Men agreed to forego any future plans of litigation regarding the dispute over the amount of money owed.

Washoe Golf Course is owned by Washoe County. The course, founded in the early 1930s, is the oldest golf course in Reno.

3. County Commission approves transfer of water rights to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Following Tuesday’s public hearing, County Commissioners approved the purchase and sale of 362 acre feet of Truckee River Water Rights (claim DTR-014) to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

The County believes the $2,896,000 sale of water rights will enhance the water quality in the lower Truckee River by allowing the water to stay in the river for the benefit of the river’s ecosystem.

According to Nevada Revised Statute, the money from the sale of water rights must be used for capital projects within the County. The money will be put in the Capital Improvement Fund.

“We feel fortunate that the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is in a position to work with Washoe County on this purchase to benefit all residents of Washoe County not only economically, but to help preserve the natural environment leading to and including Pyramid Lake,” said Washoe County Director of Community Services Dave Solaro.

4. County Commission proclaims January 2017 as National Radon Action Month.  The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are encouraging all Washoe County residents to test their homes for radon for National Radon Action Month. Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas in the ground that is colorless and odorless.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 21,000 people in the United States die each year from lung cancer caused by indoor radon exposure.

Testing is the only way to find out what the level of radon is within a home. During the months of January and February, free radon test kits will be available at Cooperative Extension and partner offices statewide. In Washoe County, educational programs will be offered at several libraries and partner locations, where free kits will also be offered.

• Jan. 7 – Northwest Reno Library, 2325 Robb Dr., Reno, at 1 p.m.
• Jan. 12 – Sparks Library, 1125 12^th St., Sparks, at 6 p.m.
• Jan. 24 – Spanish Springs Library, 7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 5:30 p.m.
• Feb. 1 – Incline Village Public Works, 1220 Sweetwater Rd., Incline Village, at 6 p.m.
• Feb. 8 – South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Pkwy., at 6 p.m.
• Feb. 12 – Sierra View Library, 4001 S. Virginia St., at 2 p.m.

For other locations offering free radon test kits in January and February, visit the Cooperative Extension radon website or contact the Radon Hotline at 888-Radon10 (888-723-6610).

“The work the folks at UNR have been doing to raise awareness about the dangers of high levels of radon within the home is extremely important,” said Washoe County Commissioner Hartung (Dist. 4). “I thank them and the Commission supports them in their efforts to keep this community safe.”

5. County Commissioners praise County Manager John Slaughter during annual review. At Tuesday’s meeting, the County Commission conducted their annual performance evaluation of County Manager Slaughter. The Commission extended Slaughter’s contract two more years through the year 2021.

The Commission approved a five percent salary increase. The Commission also approved a 10 percent bonus of his base salary. Slaughter requested that 10 percent of that bonus be deferred to the Employee Scholarship Program.

The Commission praised Slaughter for his leadership over the past year.

“Mr. Slaughter, you display an incredible calm, patience and control in the midst of crisis,” said Commission Chair Kitty Jung (Dist. 3). “I thank you for always being responsive to the staff and Commission’s needs. We are honored to have you as our Washoe County Manager."

“Mr. Slaughter, I want to commend you for going through a review process publicly as challenging as it is,” said Commission Vice Chair Bob Lucey (Dist. 2). “You have done a phenomenal job with leadership and providing access to information for commissioners and the staff. I have heard from the community and how much they appreciate your humble nature.”

Slaughter thanked the County Commission for their support.

“I feel very blessed every day that I have the opportunity to work for this organization and this community for 30 years,” Slaughter said. “I’m blessed with a great executive team, department directors and most importantly, the employees of Washoe County.”

In addition, County Commissioners accepted the following donations:

$750 from the Reno Air Racing Association, Inc., National Championship Air Races to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office for the Citizen Corps Program.

$300 donation from the Fire Shows West to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office for the Citizen Corps Program (CCP).

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

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