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Commissioners approve resolution and $25K to support Nevada Water Innovation Campus

Reno, Nev. Feb. 13, 2018. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting.

1. The Board of County Commissioners adopt resolution to support Nevada Water Innovation Campus. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) in collaboration with Washoe County has created the Nevada Water Innovation Campus.

The Nevada Water Innovation Campus will bring specific value to Washoe County through the development of regional sustainable water management practices and methods. Nevada Water Innovation Campus, along with Truckee Meadows Water Authority, City of Reno, City of Sparks, Nevada Department of Transportation, and the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission/Western Regional Water Commission, will partner to research and embark upon innovation activities that will complement current regional water planning efforts and water utility infrastructure engineering and operations activities.

“In the West we think of water a lot like gold, it has that kind of value to us in this area,” remarked Chair Berkbigler. “We may have a lot of water now, but it won’t necessarily stick around. Thank you for your presentation and sharing this information with us.”

Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Nevada Water Innovation Campus that includes a $25,000 annual financial commitment in each calendar year of 2018, 2019 and 2020.

“This will provide the much needed answers to water resiliency and transform not only how we view but deal with our water supplies,” said Commissioner Hartung. “This is the only way we can move forward in sustaining our region and being able to have a viable supply for future generations. I am very pleased with the support we are seeing with regional and community partners and look forward to solving these problems.”

2. Commissioners approve the creation of new Youth Engaged in Service grant program. Commissioners unanimously approved the creation of a Youth Engaged in Service, or YES grant program, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Western Nevada who will implement the program. The grant program’s purpose is to provide support for youth ages 5 to 24 who are engaged in science or STEM, and who are committed to service to the community.

Youth interested in the program will submit a proposal form for consideration to receive a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. Grant awards may only be made to charitably-qualified entities and awards will be between $500 and $2,500. All distributions must be recommended by the Distribution Committee who shall be made up of 4-6 youth ages 12-24, and 2-3 members who will be non-voting members who are experts in the field, such as science professors from the University of Nevada Reno or Truckee Meadows Community College, high school counselors or science teachers, etc. Committee members may serve up to 5 years.

3. Commissioners direct Special District Funds. The Board of County Commissioners have approved special district funds disbursement for Commissioner Lucey in the amount of $10,000 and for Commissioner Hartung in the amount of $15,000, for funds requested to benefit the following grant:

• Community Foundation of Western Nevada for the creation of the Youth Engaged in Service grant, in the amount of $25,000.

“This is an investment in our community and in our youth,” remarks Vice-Chair Jung. “Commissioner Hartung has spearheaded this program and now received support from others Commissioners and formalized the program with our partner, the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.”

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