Animal Services

1. Membership. The Advisory Board consists of seven members:
   1. One licensed Nevada veterinarian or veterinary technician (not employed by Washoe County);
   2. One real estate or business professional with HOA, business, or financial experience;
   3. One representative of a humane or rescue organization;
   4. One member interested in promoting animal health and safety.
      1. These four members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.
   5. One elected member of the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners;
   6. One elected member of the Reno City Council;
   7. One elected member of the Sparks City Council.
      1. These three members are appointed by their respective governing bodies.
2. Qualifications. All members must be residents of Washoe County.
3. Term. Non-elected members serve four-year terms.
4. Chairperson. Selected annually at the first meeting of the calendar year.
5. Resignation. Written notice must be provided to the Chair and the Director of Regional Animal Services.
6. Removal.
   1. Elected members may be removed by their appointing authority.
   2. Non-elected members absent from three consecutive meetings may be replaced by the Board of County Commissioners.

1. Quorum. A simple majority of members.
2. Voting. A majority of members present is required to take action.
   1. The Chair may request a roll call vote.
   2. Votes are recorded in the meeting minutes.

1. Titles. The officers of the committee shall be:
   1. Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings, maintain order, and call special and emergency meetings as needed. The Chair shall be a voting member of the Advisory Board.
   2. Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall serve in the absence of the Chair. In the absence of both the Chair and Vice Chair, a temporary acting Chair will be designated by the Advisory Board to conduct the meeting.
2. Succession. No line of succession is claimed by this committee.
3. Election of Officers. The first meeting of a calendar year shall include the selection of the Chair and Vice Chair and shall be the first order of business following determination of a quorum. Newly selected officers shall take office at that meeting.
4. Authority to Sign. The Chair may sign certain documents to implement action by the Advisory Board and should confer with legal counsel regarding the propriety of signing specified documents.

Washoe County shall provide staff to assist the Advisory Board, which shall include:

1. Recording Secretary. The recording secretary shall attend meetings, record proceedings, prepare agendas and draft minutes, post meeting notices and materials, and maintain committee records.
2. Legal Counsel. Legal counsel shall be appointed by the District Attorney and may assist with agenda legality, points of order, Open Meeting Law compliance, ethics requirements, contracts, and other matters related to meeting conduct.
3. Director of Regional Animal Services. The Director shall attend meetings and provide reports on departmental programs and services, financial and budgetary updates, accomplishments, emerging developments, and proposed goals. The Director shall also prepare periodic reports regarding the Advisory Board’s recommendations and actions for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners. The Director and other WCRAS staff shall serve in a technical and advisory capacity.

1. General.
   1. All meetings shall comply with Nevada’s Open Meeting Law (NRS 010–241.040).
   2. Notice. Meeting agendas shall be posted at least three business days prior to the meeting to ensure public awareness.
   3. Agenda. Each agenda shall be approved by the Chair and reviewed by legal counsel prior to posting.
      1. Agenda items may be proposed by Board members or the Director of Regional Animal Services.
      2. Other persons wishing to place an item on the agenda must obtain authorization from the Chair.
      3. Agenda item language must be provided to the recording secretary at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
   4. Support Materials. Written materials for agenda items must be provided to the recording secretary at least two weeks prior to the meeting and distributed in advance.
   5. Late-Produced Materials. The Advisory Board may vote to consider late materials or reschedule the agenda item to allow adequate review.
   6. Meeting Procedure. Robert’s Rules of Order shall guide meeting procedures. In the event of conflict, these Bylaws shall prevail.
   7. Records. The Advisory Board shall maintain a public record of its actions on file with Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
2. Regular Meetings.
   1. The Advisory Board shall set regular meeting days and times on a quarterly basis.
   2. Meetings shall not exceed three hours unless extended by a majority vote of the Board.
3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be held at the request of the Chair or by written request of two committee members.
4. Emergency Meetings.
   1. Emergency meetings or agenda items may be called when unforeseen circumstances require immediate action, including:
      1. Natural disasters such as fire, flood, or earthquake; or
      2. Material impairment of public health and safety.
   2. The Board must determine by quorum vote that an emergency exists prior to consideration.
5. Order of Business.
   1. Roll call and quorum determination
   2. Public comment
   3. Approval of prior meeting minutes
   4. Business of the day
   5. Announcements and future agenda topics
   6. Public comment
   7. Adjournment
6. Public Comment. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person per comment period unless extended by the Chair.

1. Records. All Advisory Board documents shall be maintained under the supervision of the Chair and Washoe County Regional Animal Services and shall be publicly accessible unless declared confidential by law.
2. Minutes.
   1. Written minutes of each meeting shall be kept and are public records.
   2. Meeting minutes or recordings shall be available within thirty working days after adjournment.
   3. A qualified recording secretary shall record all Board actions.
   4. Draft minutes shall be provided to Board members within twenty days and at least three days prior to the next regular meeting.
   5. Approved minutes are summaries of proceedings and may be superseded by electronic recordings.

1. Facilitate communication between the community and the Director of Regional Animal Services to enhance services and ensure animal care and safety aligns with community needs.
2. Offer opinions and recommendations regarding:
   1. Short- and long-term departmental goals
   2. Amendments to Washoe County Code Chapter 55
   3. Amendments to Nevada Revised Statutes governing animals
   4. Public education programs and materials
   5. Service delivery
   6. Departmental policies and procedures
   7. Animal-related community needs and trends
3. Periodically review and approve the Director’s report to the Board of County Commissioners regarding Advisory Board recommendations and actions.

1. Amendment. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of a quorum at a regular meeting and become effective upon signature of the Chair.
2. Failure to Follow. Failure to follow these Bylaws does not invalidate Board actions if those actions otherwise comply with applicable laws.