The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board reviewed plan for county’s portion of ARPA funding: Washoe County’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is $91.5 million, to be spent over the course of five years. Washoe County Grants Administrator Gabrielle Enfield presented the county’s vision for the funding, outlining programs, community outreach, and projects that will contribute to building a stronger economy and community as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a transformational opportunity for Washoe County, the state, and all jurisdictions that receive funds,” Enfield said.
The plan addresses several key areas of need, including health disparities, healthy childhood environments, stronger neighborhoods, foundational investments in to stormwater infrastructure and the expansion of broadband, and addressing the root causes of homelessness.
The county will be building a dashboard to gather community input on priorities and to ensure awareness of the process. Funds must be allocated by December 2024, and spent by the end of 2026.
“For community outreach, I know the Food Bank wants to be a partner with this because they are serving disadvantaged groups,” Commissioner Alexis Hill said. “Maybe we can reach out at vaccination clinics and special events; we have the Balloon Races and Air Races coming up, let’s consider those.”
2. Washoe County’s annual budget was recognized for excellence for 19th year: The Government Finance Officers Association Budget Awards Program again bestowed its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to Washoe County, an achievement lauded by the Board of Commissioners.
The program is designed to assess how well a budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications tool. This marks the 19th year that Washoe County has received the award, an annual validation of the county’s commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
3. Sheriff’s Office presented status report on jail: Chief Deputy Jeff Clark presented the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office’s quarterly status report to the County Commission, focusing heavily on the welfare of inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been 156 COVID-19 infections this year, 29 of which were from this quarter. The jail has vaccinated 192 inmates with the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Because of an increase in mental health population, the Sheriff’s Office has reorganized the housing units, dedicating more space specifically for inmates with mental health needs.
“I know that the Sheriff’s Office is a data-driven department, and I’m always so inspired, because this is truly a labor of love,” Commissioner Kitty Jung said. “ I want to thank you, Chief Deputy Clark, and the sheriff for the humanitarian way of doing something that a jail is not really designed to do.”
4. Board approved contract with Volunteers of America to continue operation of Nevada Cares Campus: Washoe County is poised to assume responsibility for regional homelessness services pending an interlocal agreement with the City of Sparks and City of Reno. Volunteers of America (VOA) is currently on contract with the City of Reno to operate the Nevada Cares Campus, the regional homeless shelter that opened in May of this year. Today the Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with VOA to continue those operations when the interlocal agreement is signed, through June 30, 2022. The contract amount is just over $6.7 million and will be cost shared with the City of Sparks and City of Reno.
5. Board appointed member to the Washoe County Senior Services Advisory Board: Ethan Hovest was named to the Washoe County Senior Services Advisory Board for a four-year term to begin Sept. 1, 2021. Hovest currently serves as an alternate member of the advisory board and will be seated as a permanent member.
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