Top headlines from the Board of County Commissioners meeting

Commissioners make appointment to Nevada State Assembly District 30 seat

Reno, Nev. March 26, 2019. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting:

1. Board of County Commissioners appointed replacement to Nevada State Assembly District 30 seat. After an open and transparent public appointment process, Washoe County Commissioners have appointed Greg Smith, pictured left, to represent Nevada State Assembly District 30, previously occupied by Mike Sprinkle who resigned Thursday, March 14, 2019.

2. Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved to establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Commissioners heard the second reading which finalizes the creation of an ordinance to establish the Washoe County Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF), and unanimously approved to adopt the ordinance.

Washoe County is working to address the growing need for affordable housing in the community to be used to facilitate the supply of housing affordable to households of low income. By researching best practices and working with Acting in Community Together in Organizing Northern Nevada (ACTIONN), the AHTF has been configured after national structures. Washoe County staff will work with the Community Foundation of Western Nevada to create the fund and provides the framework for accepting public funds through the foundation.

3. Commissioners approve filing litigation relating to the opioid epidemic. Commissioners approved an agreement to engage two Nevada law firms to work together to represent Washoe County in litigation against manufacturers, distributers and dispensers of opioid-based drugs and to authorize the filing of such actions.

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks and officials provide a variety of legal services and advice, recommended the law firms of Eglet Prince, LLP and Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney law firms to represent Washoe County in actions against manufacturers, distributers and dispensers of opioid-based drugs.

The two firms have demonstrated experience in highly-complex litigations and are also currently representing other Nevada entities in litigation over opioids. The compensation of the two law firms under the proposed engagement is a 25 percent contingency fee of any recovery. Washoe County is not responsible for pay court costs, expenses of litigation, or any other costs or expenses. If there is no recovery, contract counsel is not reimbursed for any costs or expense, including county staff time.

“Washoe County has been impacted greatly by the opioid crisis,” says District Attorney, Chris Hicks. “The expertise and resources of the quality law firms the board partnered with today will benefit the county in its litigation against those responsible for this epidemic.”

4. Commissioners adopt a resolution to support the Reno Spaghetti Bowl project. Washoe County, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the City of Reno, has developed the Spaghetti Bowl Project. The project intends to eliminate traffic on the I-80 and I-580 Interchange and is expected to increase overall freeway safety by addressing unsafe portions of the roadway.

Commissioners moved to approve the resolution which acknowledges their support of the project.

5. Commissioners approve the 2019-20 Washoe County Strategic Plan. Commissioners approved the Washoe County FY19-20 Strategic Plan goals and initiatives which were developed by the Washoe County Strategic Planning Committee and further refined during the Board workshop on January 22, 2019. To view the Washoe County FY 19-20 Strategic Plan, click here.

6. Commissioners appoint new member to the Senior Advisory Board. County Commissioners approved the recommendation to appoint Jennifer McMenomy and James Doyle, to the Washoe County Senior Services Advisory Board for the four-year term effective March 26, 2019 through March 31, 2023.

“I want to thank both Jennifer McMenomy and James Doyle for their time and commitment dedicated for the Senior Advisory Board,” said Vice-Chair Lucey. “We appreciate your time and willingness to serve.”

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