Top headlines from the Board of County Commissioners meeting

Commissioners heard an update and move forward on Tahoe Area Plan

Reno, Nev. March 10, 2020. The following report highlights an important agenda item from the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:

1. Commissioners heard first reading of the Tahoe Area Plan. The Washoe County Planning and Building Division is updating the Tahoe Area Plan to come into conformance with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Regional Plan. The Washoe County Commissioners introduced a first reading of the Tahoe Area Plan. This is the Master Plan for the portion of Washoe County that is in the Tahoe Basin.

This plan will:

• Establish the long term vision and desired character of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay area
• Lay out goals and policies to help achieve that vision
• Update the Washoe County Development Code as it relates to the Tahoe Basin

These new codes will establish the development standards that new development must use. They are designed specifically to implement the goals and policies found in the Area Plan. Washoe County staff has conducted public meetings regarding the Tahoe Area Plan to help ensure code changes reflect the community’s sense of its desired vision and character. These new code changes heard today relate to design standards, permissible uses, regulatory zone changes, and town centers.

Commissioners moved to introduce the first reading, with the second and final reading to be heard on March 24, 2020.

2. Commissioners approve Resolution of Intent for Nevada Shared Radio System Bonds. The Nevada Shared Radio System (NSRS) is a shared statewide public safety radio communications system to be used for daily operations, interagency communication, interoperability and emergency communications, supporting 20 regional partner agencies in Washoe County. The new NSRS will replace the existing 800-Megaherz analog Washoe County Regional Communications System which is nearing “product end of life”, and replace it with a digital Project 25 system of current and nationally recognized technology.

Today’s Resolution of Intent proposes Washoe County’s intention to issue the Nevada Shared Radio System Bonds in the maximum principal amount of $15,000,000, for construction of the new state-wide interoperable public safety communications system.  To issue the bonds, the Board of County Commissioners must adopt a Bond Ordinance, which is anticipated to be presented to the Board in June.   In 2018, the Board approved the Systems Purchase Agreement with $2,000,000 in costs funded in 2019 & 2020. The remaining funding would be obtained through debt financing, with the maximum amount of proposed bonds sold in the amount of $15,000,000. The repayment source is from infrastructure rates paid by the partner and sponsored agencies who utilize the system, plus 10% per year to be placed into a debt service reserve fund. The bonds would be additionally secured by a pledge of Consolidated Tax (C-Tax) revenues.

Commissioners moved to adopt the Resolution of Intent, allowing staff to move forward with the bond issuance.

3. Washoe County Sheriff’s Office receives funding for Opioid Treatment Program. Commissioners approved the 2020 Opioid Narcotics Program grant funds in the amount of $207,005.50 to be used to create an Opioid Treatment Program within the Washoe County Regional Detention Facility.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office received these grant funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through the University of Nevada, Reno, to reduce the risk of overdose death and enhance treatment and recovery services. Funding will also be utilized to contract one Discharge Planner and two Behavioral Health Specialists, and program-related supplies.

4. Commissioners hear Second Judicial District Court presentation. The Board of County Commissioners received a presentation today from the Second Judicial District Court Judge, the Honorable Bridget E. Robb, regarding the Family Division Assessment.

The Family Court was established to focus on children and is a model that is less adversarial and more user-friendly, and offers alternative dispute resolutions like mediation and online dispute resolutions. The Family Court in Washoe County also offers support services like the Lawyer in the Library program, a Resource Center, Protection Order Center and a Family Peace Center.

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