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Washoe County highlights citizens advisory boards as key local engagement tool
Summary
Commissioners used the State of the County presentation to promote Citizens Advisory Boards (CABs) as neighborhood-level forums for public input, citing cleanup events, technical briefings, and more than 75 annual CAB meetings.
Vice Chair Jean Herman and county staff emphasized the role of Citizens Advisory Boards as Washoe County’s primary neighborhood-level engagement platform during the Sept. 2 State of the County presentation.
Herman, who represents District 5, said CABs provide “more than 75 opportunities each year for residents in Washoe County to engage directly with local government,” and described them as a two-way forum where residents can raise concerns and hear from agencies such as RTC, NDOT, NV Energy and Washoe County departments. “Anybody can do it. You don't have to have a law degree or a degree in engineering,” Herman said.
The county highlighted several CAB-led initiatives in the past year, including neighborhood cleanups in Sun Valley that collected more than 118,000 pounds of waste across three events (including about 4,250 tires, 12,000 pounds of e‑waste and 23,000 pounds of hazardous materials). Presenters and attendees credited CABs with connecting residents directly to project staff and helping guide local solutions for traffic safety, fire services, utility projects and open‑space issues.
Speakers and several members of the public who spoke later in the meeting said CAB participation varies by location. Verdi CAB member Mac Rossi said his CAB has seen falling attendance and that development project briefings were being moved to other departments, reducing the chance for broader neighborhood input.
County staff and commissioners encouraged residents to attend CAB meetings and noted that CABs also serve as a recruitment pipeline for other local advisory roles. The presentations framed CABs as part of a broader strategy to keep residents informed and involved in county decision‑making.
The county’s materials and commissioners’ remarks did not announce new CAB bylaws, dedicated funding changes, or formal code changes during the Sept. 2 event. Several public commenters asked the county to ensure development and rezoning items remain visible to CAB members and to consider scheduling and outreach changes to boost attendance.
