Top headlines from today’s Board of County Commissioners meeting

Commissioners approve new voting equipment, winery, Dragon Lights event and more

Reno, Nev. Dec. 10, 2019. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting:

1. Commissioners approve new voting equipment purchase ahead of 2020 Elections. Commissioners have approved the sole source purchase of an additional 250 WelcomeVoter Kiosk check-in stations from VOTEC Corporation, to fulfill the provisions of AB345.

As approved during the 2019 Legislative Session, AB345 allows voters to now register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day, with the overall goal of increased voter engagement. State funds appropriated to Washoe County in AB345, in the amount of $740,302.60, will be used for this purchase.

“We are pleased to be working with the State of Nevada to prepare for the 2020 Elections,” says Deanna Spikula, Washoe County Registrar of Voters. “These funds will allow us to carry out the mandates associated with AB 345 and help our citizens have a smoother voting experience”.

2. Dragon Lights Reno to return to Washoe County Parks in 2020. After a successful first event in 2018, which brought in 62,000 visitors over a five-week period, Commissioners have approved an agreement to bring this popular performance event back in the summer of 2020, as a part of the Artown line up of events.

The 2020 event will take place from June-August and will focus on Chinese culture with a variety of visually appealing lantern displays and events to take place at the May Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Washoe County Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.

3. Commissioners overturned the denial of the De La Montanya Winery. The De La Montanya Winery property owners sought to appeal a denial from the Board of Adjustment to the Washoe County Commission to allow for the winery-type use of their property.

The winery will consist of a tasting room, and associated vineyards on 2 parcels totaling 2 acres. The permit would include the sale and tasting of wine, the production of wine, crop production related to the associated vineyards, and parking for customers and employees.

After a public hearing including public comment, Commissioners decided to reverse the denial of the permit, meaning the winery permit will be granted, allowing for the De La Montanya Winery to move forward.  

4. New Wildcreek golf course concept re-design approved. After the sale of a portion of the Wildcreek Golf Course to the Washoe County School District, Washoe County, as owners of the remaining property, is currently working to provide a re-designed golf experience. After consultation with the current Licensee, Duncan Golf Management, Washoe County through Knott & Linn Golf Design Group, will design a full-length 9-hole course to augment the existing par 3 course offering the public two different golf experiences at one location, bringing a total of 18-holes to the newly-designed Wildcreek Golf Course. 

The goal is to create a golf course that can be operated and maintained utilizing only golf revenue, not subsidized by the Washoe County general fund. Commissioners approved the professional services agreement with Knott & Linn Golf Design Group for a re-designed Wildcreek Golf Course.

5. Washoe County and Nevada Donor Network will continue partnership. The Board of County Commissioners has approved an amended agreement between the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office (WCRMEO) and the Nevada Donor Network. The agreement allows the use of the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office facility for postmortem tissue procurement. Since the initial agreement was approved in September 2017, the program has been successful bringing in more donors than initial estimates. Due to the increased volume of cases, the WCMREO negotiated an amendment to the existing agreement that increases the fees paid to Washoe County, with projected revenue estimated at over $500,000. 

6. Commissioners receive Fiscal Year 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, presented by the Washoe County Comptroller, Cathy Hill, which per Nevada Revised Statute requires Washoe County to issue an annual report on its financial position and operations for the fiscal year.

• Commissioners also approved the re-appropriation of over $29 million re-appropriation for the fiscal year 2020 budget.
• Of the $29 million, nearly $12 million was for purchase order encumbrances for fiscal year 2019. These encumbrances are budgeted funds set aside to complete transactions from the prior fiscal year that had not been finalized as of June 30.
• In addition, of the $29 million, over $17 million was for spending of restricted contributions and fees.

“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the entire staff, we once again, are proud to showcase our transparency and fiscal accountability for the entire Washoe County community,” says Washoe County Comptroller, Cathy Hill.

7. Commissioners approve appointments and re-appointments to Boards and Commissions. The Board of County Commissioners approved the following appointments and re-appointments:

• Appointment of Mr. Daren McDonald to serve on the Washoe County Board of Equalization with a term to expire on June 30, 2023.
• Re-appointment of Ms. Eugenia Larmore to serve on the Washoe County Board of Equalization with a term to expire on June 30, 2023.
• Re-appointment of Ms. Barbara Kinnison to the Washoe County Audit Committee with a two-year term beginning on January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.

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