Below are highlights of action taken by the Board of County Commission during its November 8, 2011 meeting:

Proclamations: County Commissioners approved two proclamations during their November 2nd meeting. The first declares November 2011 as National Family Caregivers Month, which honors and thanks those who provide service to their family and the community.

The second proclamation recognizes November 2011 as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. This proclamation is designed to promote awareness of the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, which is responsible for the deaths of over 37,000 people each year.

Redistricting: The Board of County Commissioners conducted a first reading of an ordinance designed to amend Chapter 5 of the Washoe County Code relating to County Commission Districts. After each census, the Commission is charged with balancing the population of Washoe County across each of its districts. The second reading and public hearing for this ordinance changes is scheduled for December 13, 2011, at 6pm.

Annual Financial Report: The Board acknowledge receipt of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Nevada Revised Statute requires the County to issue a report each year on its financial position and operations. The report must then be audited in accordance with general auditing guidelines. The 2011 CAFR was prepared by the County Comptroller’s Office, and was audited by Kafoury, Armstrong and Co. which issued an unqualified opinion on the report, noting only minor issues that needed attention. An unqualified opinion is the best opinion that can be rendered on a report.

Justice Grant creates Sheriff’s Office Position: The Commission accepted a $272,000 grant to fund a deputy position at the Sheriff’s Office. The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant will cover the cost of the position for the first three years, and requires the County to fund the position for a fourth year. The new position will interface with the community on quality of life issues such as graffiti and illegal dumping.

Open Space Purchase: Commissioners approved the purchase of 13.32 acres of vacant land near Verdi to be used as open space and passive recreation. The parcel, located directly across the river from existing open space, will increase the amount of open space along the Truckee River, contribute to better water quality and provide additional access to the Truckee River. The County is paying $840,000 for the parcel, plus approximately $5,000 in closing costs. All monies are coming from existing State Question Truckee River (SQ-1) and Washoe County Regional Parks, Trails and Open Space (WC-1) bonds.

Water Reclamation Facility: The Commission voted to award a $1,733,000 bid for rehabilitation and enhancement of the South Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility to KG Walters Construction Co., Inc., and a bid of $994,850 to CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc., for design and management services for the project. The monies are being allocated from dedicated Water Resources funds.

The project will update mechanical and electrical equipment in the facility, and is the first step in five-year, $15 million complete enhancement of the facility.

A report from George Mason University estimates that nine new jobs are created for every $1 million spend on non-residential development.

Snow and Ice Control Plan: Commissioners received a report from County roads staff on snow and ice control for the 2011/12 winter season.

For the first time, County crews will be using a brine solution in their snow and ice control measures. The brine solution is applied prior to a snow event, and lowers the temperature at which snow begins to accumulate on roadways. Additionally, the brine layer helps break the bond between compacted snow and the roadway allowing it to be more easily removed from the roadway, and reduce the amount of sand required on roadways, which in turn helps expedite cleanup and improves air quality.