Washoe County Purchasing Director John Balentine was awarded the "Robert C. Ashby Award" for excellence in procurement by the Nevada Association of Purchasing and Supply Management (NAPSM). He was honored March 21 at the "Supplier Opportunity Fair and Recognition Dinner" at the Cashman Field Center in Las Vegas.

The Air Quality Division of the District Health Department and the American Lung Association are hosting free workshops on radon awareness on April 11, 13, and 19 at Washoe County’s Senior Centers.

Washoe County Commissioners appointed four members to Citizen Advisory Boards Tuesday, and as many as 40 more members are still needed to fill vacancies created by term expirations in June. The application deadline is April 7. Volunteers are appointed by the Commissioners to serve as a member for a two-year term.

Washoe County Commissioners urged residents to visit any of the 13 Washoe County libraries in the region during National Library Week, April 2-8, 2006 to take advantage of the many reading and information resources available. The statement was part of a National Library Week proclamation adopted at their meeting Tuesday.

Washoe County Commissioners continued discussion to April 11 on a resolution to issue $35.1 million in General Obligation bonds for the purpose of financing park projects, including the acquisition of Ballardini Ranch.

At their meeting today, Washoe County Commissioners proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Washoe County to raise the community’s awareness of the serious impact of abuse and neglect of children in Washoe County.

Washoe County Commissioners recommended today exercising caution in the 87 water appropriations applications filed with the Nevada State Engineers office between April 2005 and October 2005, while suggesting to the State Engineer that additional studies be completed to update projected sustainable yields in the three groundwater basins under consideration for water appropriations.

Washoe County Assessor Bob McGowan wishes to remind low income Senior Citizens that there remains one more month to complete the application for a RENT or TAX rebate. The Senior Citizen’s Rebate Program ends on April 30 for 2006.

Washoe County Animal Services and the Nevada Humane Society are teaming up once again to invite the public to come and enjoy the new Regional Animal Services Center recently opened for business. Regional Animal Services Center Grand Opening and Celebration Saturday, March 25th from noon to 5 pm 2825 Longley Lane (directly in front of the old Reno Animal Shelter)

Washoe County has prepared for the recall of all the sandbags that were given out during the last flood warning. Residents are asked to return the nearly 25,000 sandbags that were given out during the preparation of flood alerts last month.

Pete Sferrazza, Washoe County Commissioner, District 3, invites the public to come and discuss any issues or ask questions they may have regarding the county at his annual town hall next week. DISTRICT 3 TOWN HALL MEETING HOSTED BY COMMISSIONER PETE SFERRAZZA. THURSDAY, MARCH 30 AT 6-8P.M. WASHOE COUNTY COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1001 E. NINTH ST., BLDG A.

Washoe County Commissioners authorized today an amendment to the sale agreement for the UNR parcel at Mill and McCarran that adds five acres into the sale agreement and brings the cost for the sale of the entire UNR parcel to $13.2 million. “This is an important parcel for the Flood Management project; we’re happy to have made this great step forward in our land acquisition program,” Naomi Duerr, Truckee River Flood Management Project Director said.

Washoe County received a credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor`s to “AA- stable outlook” last week. This is the first AA rating given to a Northern Nevada local government. The County’s previous S&P rating was A+.

Washoe County Commissioners are actively recruiting the much-needed 45 volunteers to serve on Citizen Advisory Boards throughout the County. “We’re looking for people who want to make a difference in their community,” Katy Singlaub, Washoe County Manager said. “The citizen board members really help us by providing community input; it’s an integral part of the system. The Citizen Advisory Board members are valued highly by the County Commissioners.”

Washoe County Commissioners agreed to support the acquisition of seven environmentally sensitive parcels in Round VII of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act program. The Commissioners also expressed a desire for the addition on the submittal list of the 7-acre Denio Lake Tahoe shoreline property at Crystal Bay if the Forest Service is a willing agency.

Senior-oriented vendors are being sought for the annual Health Fair May 25 hosted by Washoe County Senior Services. Deadline to reserve a space at the Washoe County Senior Center in Reno is April 28. There is no fee for participation and donations are greatly appreciated to help ensure continuance of valuable programs and events like the health fair.

Washoe County is gearing up for the new Washoe County Leadership Academy, an 8-week series of interactive sessions on citizen leadership and county government and services. A first of its kind for the organization, it is based on best practices of Neighborhood Colleges and Citizens’ Academies from across the country.

An Avalanche Advisory is issued for the Crystal Bay Subdivision and the Third Creek area. With continuing heavy snowfall and high winds the potential for avalanches in the Crystal Bay subdivision and Third Creek Area is increasing. While it is impossible to predict if or when avalanches may occur, a general advisory to homeowners is in order until this storm ends late tonight or Wednesday morning.

A cleaner community is the goal in a month-long campaign funded in part by Washoe County Commissioners at their meeting today. The Board earmarked $10,000 for dump vouchers, enabling citizens in the unincorporated areas of the County to dump at the Lockwood Landfill site free of charge the month of April.

Washoe County is seeking feedback at a community forum from individuals and agencies on the strategies and implementation of a new 10-year strategic plan for senior citizens. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee for Seniors Living in Washoe County is holding the forum March 21 in the Washoe County Central Conference Room, 1001 E 9th St, Building "C", near the Cafeteria from 9 to 11 a.m.

The Washoe County Law Library will host the free public legal seminar “Roles & Responsibilities for Homeowner Associations” on Thursday, March 30, 2006. Sara E. Barry, CM, CMCA, PCAM will present the seminar.

A new 42-unit housing project planned for South Wells Avenue in Reno will offer independent area seniors an alternative to high rents. The 42-unit senior affordable housing project was granted $379,000 of Washoe County HOME Consortium funds by County Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday.

Washoe County Commissioners formally accepted an $18,500 donation for the Hawkins Amphitheater and a $40,000 donation for the May Arboretum at their meeting Tuesday.