[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6545657,"mediaKeyId","3409392-ada6689341bd46a608e64ee8bda3dec4","parentId",3409392,"title","Northern Nevada Public Health pauses large‑area helicopter mosquito spraying for 2025; surveillance and targeted treatment continue","audioSeconds",1163,"startMs",10036000,"endMs",11199000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409392-ada6689341bd46a608e64ee8bda3dec4&start=10036&end=11199","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409392-ada6689341bd46a608e64ee8bda3dec4/thumbnail_10036000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6545657/Washoe-County/Nevada/Northern-Nevada-Public-Health-pauses-largearea-helicopter-mosquito-spraying-for-2025-surveillance-and-targeted-treatment-continue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545657-9c66018f83f1c2f711b16956165d8336/orig.mp4?Expires=1776035677&Signature=FNhS6q6r9C6X1XkyJKjPmh9vHEE3yuUzR6MikVJtuSoOZCGiadKHjYTgG9G1lEmT6lXNOXGTGRZ-jM1q87yBEyhyd~tY45wvJzhaVTu0r7OLqPVmeeTRMeNQkDj8oPaAVgSdDSUNQC5HHZ8Ba8yrkMAcS-XeyZwkFWea6MDuJ35mACyas6eRHpkvTmIV36tMM5-4Lx8O1larXtn8lRL6LB1N86sAuY8n3kOwSgPSIu9TLVl2zMO3qoUwxTmPE5eowj0mrYo1zaMu1v5IDXLWkdzYQTNPyLC9xbii9fSlpvIRGQVZe2TuReqg4fPZ~brgZ1Bheesb2jsW8ubd9WONMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washoe County, NV","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Northern Nevada Public Health informed the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 that it will suspend large‑area helicopter larvicide treatments for the 2025 mosquito season and rely on enhanced surveillance, hand‑treatment and targeted interventions instead.

District health officer Dr. Chad Kingsley told the commission that the program change responds to two factors: rising operating costs for helicopter application and larvicide and a low recent incidence of mosquito‑borne disease acquired within the county. He said the district will continue door‑to‑door response to complaints, drone and ground treatments, and ongoing trap‑based surveillance.

Why officials made the change
Kingsley said the helicopter contract and associated chemical costs have risen substantially since 2021 — helicopter services approaching a 20 percent increase and larvicide pricing up as much as 17.8 percent in recent years. He said the large‑area program typically requires four flights per season to be effective and that funding and supply pressures make sustaining that cadence difficult going forward.

Health‑district data and response
The district reported one locally acquired vector‑borne disease case in recent years (a 2023 West Nile virus neuroinvasive case) and several imported cases of mosquito‑transmitted illness (dengue and malaria) in travelers. Dr. Kingsley said the mosquito species that transmit dengue and malaria have not been detected in Washoe County, reducing the immediate risk of those illnesses spreading locally.

District staff described their surveillance process: they set CO2 baited traps, retrieve and identify mosquito pools, and submit pools to the state lab for viral testing. The district averages about 150–230 mosquito pools tested per month in season and will continue that program. Staff encouraged residents to report standing water or mosquito problems via the county's 311 system to ensure a documented address, facilitate follow‑up and allow the district to prioritize field investigations.

Board response and follow up
Board members and health staff said the decision followed budgetary review and an assessment of essential services; commissioners emphasized the district will remain responsive to complaints and public‑health risks. Commissioner Andreola and others noted the change was not an elimination of mosquito control but a targeted reduction of one high‑cost tool.

Public guidance
Kingsley urged homeowners to eliminate standing water around properties, limit outdoor light at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and use EPA‑registered repellents. Residents with fever or unusual symptoms who suspect mosquito exposure were urged to seek medical care and inform clinicians about possible exposures so the provider can order appropriate testing.

Ending
Northern Nevada Public Health will continue trap‑based surveillance, complaint‑driven site investigations, targeted larval treatment and public outreach for the 2025 season. The district said it will review program choices and costs with county partners and could revisit large‑area treatments if circumstances or funding change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners | May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District health officials told the county commission they will suspend large‑area helicopter larvicide flights for the 2025 season because of rising program costs and low local disease incidence, while continuing ground‑level monitoring and targeted responses.","taxTitle","Washoe County, Nevada","taxId",2669,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6545660,"Public commenters and county officials split over replacing Our Place operator; Volunteers of America, RISE draw competing endorsements",1174,932000,2106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409392-ada6689341bd46a608e64ee8bda3dec4&start=932&end=2106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409392-ada6689341bd46a608e64ee8bda3dec4/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6545660/Washoe-County/Nevada/Public-commenters-and-county-officials-split-over-replacing-Our-Place-operator-Volunteers-of-America-RISE-draw-competing-endorsements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545660-f92e989c0c71d8625d024151807d8c2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776035677&Signature=BFUlcHBI7l4GUnqox47povFJV5DPTedIi~P3ygupkeZlIXTsq7zq6U3fGtuB~qzRPDuTsvKkYghwPHFNC2nLYA7P5agkmdjI4a7TpyNSWGnD0zZCzfhdl796Dpa-OXjLOuNgPyfMRraFM--OE5aIWoZciplyOgmbc7~qApNToMxMZ~x~AHFPWHrEJkVL5IcG4tZGKSs0i5BQ2DPJwQ9HIzNDz57Qm~MksUIgi1xr1QuWZ67MsK8YJ0tLJjC855uZSPPi6ImW7H372-wyBJ2TT-88pl8PY4wTzjrRux4gT5p~AEenTRitVRFlGFhaadEyzOmy4zo8LwolJbDWzI3Q7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The management of Our Place, Washoe County's family shelter, drew repeated public comment at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 20 as speakers urged different outcomes while a county review of contracts and operators remains underway.

Multiple speakers endorsed Volunteers of America (VOA) as a contract operator for Our Place, while longtime volunteers and former staff urged retaining RISE or demanded more transparency about cost and process.

Support for VOA
Travis Sandefer, regional vice president of Volunteers of America, told the board: \"If you vote to approve VOA's contract as the operator of Our Place, we will partner alongside you to face whatever challenges come our way, and we will always keep the clients as our highest priority during the transition and even beyond.\" He described VOA's commitment to operational improvement and compassion during transitions.

Pat Cashel, who identified himself as a former executive director of Volunteers of America, spoke in strong support of VOA and credited both VOA and RISE for past work at the shelter. \"I'm in total favor of it,\" Cashel said, citing VOA's record with clients and programs.

Concerns about process and cost; defense of RISE
Several volunteers and residents urged continuity with RISE and called for transparency about procurement. Lynn Amone, who volunteers weekly at Our Place, said: \"It's been uniformly positive. I am so impressed by the staff there, by their commitment to the guests.\" Volunteer comments emphasized longtime staff commitment, community engagement events and positive volunteer experiences at the site.

Emily Elise (who said she previously worked in the county's housing and homeless services division) asked commissioners to block a recommendation to replace RISE with VOA and raised concerns about transparency, the procurement process, and a proposed cost increase she described as $1,200,000 compared with the existing contract. Elise said she had direct experience with the shelter system and urged the board to weigh local relationships and outcomes as well as financial impacts.

Commissioner remarks and staff context
Commissioners acknowledged the strong public interest in the matter. During broader budget discussion later in the meeting, commissioners and staff referenced a possible $1.2 million cost difference tied to VOA's proposed contract and said the county is constrained by a tight overall budget while still seeking solutions for homelessness and shelter operations.

Ryan Gustafson, director of the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA), appeared during the presentations portion to explain the agency's role and the county's broader homelessness programs, including Our Place, the CARES campus and permanent supportive housing. Gustafson noted HSA has recently integrated housing and homeless services into the agency and said the county is preparing additional facilities and services, including a new permanent supportive housing building nearing completion.

What the board decided
The May 20 meeting recorded many public comments and questions but did not include a final public action or vote on awarding Our Place's operator contract. Commissioners asked staff to provide further information and continue evaluating procurement, cost and program outcomes before final action.

Ending
Speakers for both sides urged the board to weigh outcomes for clients and the community along with contract cost. The issue remains scheduled for staff review and future board consideration; commissioners asked for more detail on cost comparisons, service levels and transition plans before any contract decision is finalized.","Community speakers, volunteers and former staff debated the county's plan to replace nonprofit operator RISE with Volunteers of America to manage the Our Place shelter. Supporters touted VOA's experience; opponents raised concerns about process, transparency and increased contract cost.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6545666,"Washoe County adopts FY2026 final budget, approves five‑year CIP; commissioners diverge on budget vote",1071,7176000,8247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409392-ada6689341bd46a608e64ee8bda3dec4&start=7176&end=8247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409392-ada6689341bd46a608e64ee8bda3dec4/thumbnail_7176000.jpg","/articles/6545666/Washoe-County/Nevada/Washoe-County-adopts-FY2026-final-budget-approves-fiveyear-CIP-commissioners-diverge-on-budget-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545666-c3ac5f9ab8e0fd93c977fbe2bc180c08/orig.mp4?Expires=1776035677&Signature=fXKItoOvo4g4cXcnUgqiGCvPef6s2~dyxvsA68R3FJeEPk5I4yDEI5peUHWTlyOLzW~fnt1hmEt4Yx8xcVgR8FdFGVNj~RzRnOUJjTfWKe1arNpuhVFRp9UuM4Q-CMpwtUtY-DPM6VcDS6ncQFWTIYlFhxh1w8lDk2GpZJ-KlS0pBywM4LgeHBRsK4x5v7K5hIJN1NrUumO3Xo3E8wUK5akFlsAitr9xtmS-R0O7aK9d6gViMTNofNfoMSBseFvGQYQ-Q4twsl9FCSqTGUFd~ZBAeB3~LFJB4vmyJNM~dlw8Grownx~SHJk9eKTSU8~t0AT~HJ~SLTi9N-2jjvUrrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 adopted a final county budget of $1,075,989,019 for fiscal year 2026 and approved a five‑year capital improvement plan for 2026–2030.

The budget vote followed a public hearing and several hours of discussion about long‑term structural shortfalls, county staffing costs and priorities. Chair Alexis Hill moved to adopt the final budget; the motion carried in roll call 3–1: Chair Alexis Hill — yes; Commissioner Clark — no; Commissioner Garcia — yes; Commissioner Andreola — yes. The motion to adopt the capital improvement plan (CIP) for 2026–2030 passed unanimously in a separate vote.

Why this matters: county staff said the FY2026 package balances one‑time transfers and internal reallocations against continuing obligations but leaves a multiyear forecast that shows growing shortfalls without structural changes. Budget staff described a remaining FY2026 deficit that dropped from earlier levels to about $2.46 million after transfers, but a five‑year forecast that shows further gaps out to 2030 if no additional policy changes are made.

Budget highlights and board discussion
Lori Cook, Washoe County budget manager, told the board the final recommended appropriations total $1,075,989,019 and that general‑fund appropriations account for roughly 51 percent of the total. Cook said the proposal includes no net new positions, carries salary savings at 3 percent for turnover and uses one‑time ARPA interest transfers to cover a portion of recurring costs in the short term. She said the budget counts an approximately $11 million, or 1.2 percent, variance between the tentative and final recommendations.

Cook described policy choices the board asked staff to reflect, including holding library operations at a flat funding level for FY2026 while spending the remaining library expansion fund balance first, and increasing the general‑fund transfer to Northern Nevada Public Health by $1 million. She also showed a capital improvement fund net increase of about $4.6 million driven by project timing and carryforwards.

Commissioner Clark framed the longer‑range question: the five‑year forecast showed growing deficits and he urged the board to treat personnel costs — the single largest budget category — as the essential issue. \"When you find yourself in a hole, you quit digging,\" Clark said during discussion, noting county payroll levels and long‑term retirement obligations. He voted no on the final budget but voted yes on the CIP.

Commissioner Andreola praised staff work and underscored that some ARPA interest funding was used to preserve positions tied to criminal justice representation; she said those uses help maintain constitutional balance for public defense and prosecution. Several commissioners and members of the public urged caution on one‑time fixes and asked for efficiency studies and independent reviews of operations.

Formal actions recorded
- Adoption of final FY2026 budget (Item 11; pursuant to NRS 354.596 and NRS 354.598). Motion to adopt final budget moved by Chair Alexis Hill; roll call vote: Hill — yes; Clark — no; Garcia — yes; Andreola — yes. Outcome: approved (3–1).
- Adoption of county manager's recommended five‑year CIP for FY2026–2030 (Item 12; pursuant to NRS 354.5945). Motion moved by Chair Alexis Hill; second recorded on the floor; roll call vote: Hill — yes; Clark — yes; Garcia — yes; Andreola — yes. Outcome: approved (4–0).

Votes at a glance
- Final budget FY2026 (Item 11): Adopted. Vote: 3 yes, 1 no (Chair Hill — yes; Commissioner Clark — no; Commissioner Garcia — yes; Commissioner Andreola — yes). Key figures stated by staff: $1,075,989,019 total appropriations; organizational expenditures (excl. transfers) ~ $933 million; general fund sources ~ $546.9 million; proposed uses ~ $549.3 million before transfers.
- Capital Improvement Plan FY2026–2030 (Item 12): Adopted unanimously (4–0). CIP indicated a five‑year program of approximately $367 million in planned projects; staff noted anticipated carryforward reappropriations (approximately $83.9 million) will increase year‑one activity.

What the board asked staff to do
Commissioners asked staff for additional analysis and outside review in several areas: a third‑party operations review for the library as it aligns service levels to funding; continued work on the structural five‑year forecast and longer‑range financing options for major capital projects; and close tracking of revenue changes tied to Department of Taxation distributions. Staff said they will continue coordination with departments and the library board of trustees, and will return with additional detail as it is developed.

Context and next steps
Budget manager Lori Cook said the five‑year forecast assumes 3 percent annual salary savings and incorporates known collective bargaining costs through 2028, but does not assume permanent hiring freezes or program cuts. Commissioners and several public speakers urged the board to pursue efficiency studies and to discuss potential structural changes well ahead of FY2027. The county must submit final budget documents and related debt management materials to the Nevada Department of Taxation on schedule.

Ending
With the final budget adopted and the CIP approved, commissioners instructed staff to continue work on the longer‑range forecast and report back on options to reduce future structural deficits. The board recessed for a break and the meeting continued with presentations and other agenda business.","The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners adopted a $1.076 billion final budget for fiscal year 2026 and approved the county manager's five‑year capital improvement plan (CIP). The budget passed 3–1 after extended debate about long‑term deficits; the CIP was approved unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northern Nevada Public Health pauses large‑area helicopter mosquito spraying for 2025; surveillance and targeted treatment continue

Public commenters and county officials split over replacing Our Place operator; Volunteers of America, RISE draw competing endorsements

Washoe County adopts FY2026 final budget, approves five‑year CIP; commissioners diverge on budget vote