Top five things you need to know about the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting
Commissioners approve funding for the homeless shelter.o,
Nevada.- July 29, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, July 28, 2015. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos-on-demand online.
The Board of County Commissioners approve agreement and funding for the Homeless Shelter.
(Community Assistance Center) The Community Assistance Center (CAC) and shelter serves the homeless in Washoe County, many who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse. The shelter provides a safe alternative to the streets. Washoe County funds five full-time staff members who provide case management services to assist the homeless and their transition to sustainable housing.
The Community Assistance Center operates as a cooperative agreement between three local governments, Washoe County, City of Reno and City of Sparks. Each jurisdiction contributes financially to the operation; the County’s portion is more than $1.2 million dollars. Last year the CAC served more than 2,200 individuals and 147 families, including 302 veterans.
Approved funding for a Specialized Foster Care program. Commissioners approved grant funding from the State of Nevada to implement the redesigned Specialized Foster Care pilot program for more than $1.1 million. The funding will include four full time staff, as well as room and board expenses.
During the 2015 Legislative session, funding was approved to expand the Specialized Foster Care program, a major budget initiative for the State of the Nevada, Division of Child and Family Services.
Significant savings have been realized in Medicaid costs during the last three years in Washoe County, during the pilot phase of this project. It also led to a significant reduction in hospitalizations, psychotropic medications, and placement disruptions among the foster care population.
Approved building bonds for the new Medical Examiner Building. Commissioners authorized the Medical Examiner Building Bonds, not to exceed $12 million, to finance a new building which is scheduled to break ground in December. The new building will be located immediately adjacent to the existing Washoe County Complex at 9th St. and Wells Avenue. The new building will replace an outdated building located at 10 Kirman Ave., which has increasing operational and maintenance costs with a new modern and efficient facility.
Approved funding for a new building in Eagle Canyon Park. Eagle Canyon Park, in Spanish Springs next to Shaw Middle School, is a heavily used sports venue for local athletic leagues and traveling tournaments. Currently, concessions and restrooms are provided from temporary mobile facilities and not conducive to the heavy use the park receives. The new building will improve aesthetics at the park and the quality of service to the thousands of people who use the park every year and serve as a fundraising mechanism benefiting youth athletics in the Spanish Springs area. A $249,953 bid, funded by Residential Construction Tax, was awarded to Public Restroom Company for the Eagle Canyon Park Concession Restroom Building Project.
Approved a grant for the American Lands Council in Washoe County. The $5,000 grant is funded from the Commission District Special Fund for District 5, by a recommendation from Commissioner Jeanne Herman. Objectives of the American Lands Council include retaining public ownership of federal public lands to become state public lands managed in accordance with state and local plans; and improving efficiency of wildfire control by providing adequate prevention control resources and developing interagency agreements to combat wildfires effectively.
“American Lands Council has an important mission: Education, Legislation and Litigation,” said Commissioner Jeanne Herman (D-5). “It is important that Washoe County continues to support the other 16 counties and the western states in this endeavor.”
Contact: Nancy Leuenhagen
nleuenhagen (at) washoecounty (dot) us
775.328.2069