D OUGLAS C OUNTY , N EVADA
N EWS Y OU C AN U SE V OLUME 3, I SSUE 9
J ULY , 2013
M OODY ’ S R ATES D OUGLAS C OUNTY “V ERY S TRONG ” Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. recently reviewed Douglas County’s financial status and provided its third highest bond rating of Aa2 or “very strong,” due to the County’s “structurally balanced financial operations.” Moody’s bond rating comes just one year after Standard and Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) provided an A+ or “strong” rating for Douglas County in 2012. “A strong bond rating is a reflection of the financial health of our organization and economic vitality of our community,” said County Manager Steve Mokrohisky. “Douglas County’s latest bond rating is a result of our efforts to stabilize personnel costs, enhance revenues and focus on long
range solutions to fiscal challenges.” Moody’s Aa2 bond rating is considered a reflection of an organization’s high quality, very low credit risk and very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. In its analysis, Moody’s identified “the county made a number of adjustments to achieve structural balance and more sustainable long-term results.” Moody’s specifically noted the County’s efforts to work with other taxing entities to shift property tax revenues to the County, calling those partnerships “a significant development.” Moody’s also commented on the County’s work with employees to reach three-year labor agreements that reduce personnel expens-
es, concluding that those efforts “create a more sustainable cost structure into the future.” In 2012, S&P reviewed Douglas County’s financial status and rated the County “strong” with its A+ rating. S&P stated that the highlights of the County’s management techniques are its formal financial policies, utilizing external and internal resources for budget assumptions, and engaging in multiyear financial planning. Many local governments across the country have had their bond ratings downgraded, and approximately 36 municipal bankruptcies have been filed since 2010, due to declining revenues, increasing expenses and unfunded employee benefit liabilities.
C OUNTY P RESENTS C ASE S TUDY ON B UDGET I NNOVATIONS As the first county in the country to implement a new priority based budgeting system, Douglas County was invited to present a case study to nearly 200 local government leaders from across the nation in Washington, DC in July. The conference was sponsored by the International City/County Management Association and the Alliance for Innovation, both of which are promoting priority based budgeting as a leading practice in local governCounty Manager Steve Mokrohisky ment. The City of Wheat Ridge, presenting to a group in Washington DC. Colorado and the City of Cinncinatti, Ohio also presented case studies on value of over 700 programs. Douglas priority based budgeting at the conferCounty's efforts to engage residents in the ence. budgeting and prioritization process Douglas County shared its experience through the online "Budget Challenge" over the past two years working with was also highlighted. To date, Douglas elected offices, departments and residents County has utilized priority based budgetto develop an analysis of the cost and ing to shift over $1 million to
preventative road maintenance, eliminate home occupation permitting, eliminate certain notary services, and reorganize several departments to reduce costs and create greater operational effectiveness. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners adopted priority based budgeting as a strategic goal for the County in 2011. The Board meets on August 7th to discuss progress and next steps for priority based budgeting and strategic planning efforts. I NSIDE THIS ISSUE : L ANDS B ILL
2
G ENOA R IBBON C UTTING
3
B ISON F IRE Q& A
4
V OLUME 3, I SSUE 9
P AGE 2
D OUGLAS C OUNTY L ANDS B ILL I NTRODUCED IN U . S . SENATE United States Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller have introduced in the U.S. Senate the Douglas County Conservation Act of 2013. The purpose of this legislation is to promote conservation, improve recreation opportunities, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County, Nevada. “This bill is a culmination of more than a dozen years of work between state, local, and federal officials and I am pleased with the results. Nevada, with 87 percent of our land base controlled by the federal government, has the lowest percentage of private land of any state. We also face one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation,” said Senator Dean Heller. “I am pleased that this bill will provide economic opportunity while preserving the rural character of the Carson Valley. I look forward to contin-
uing to work with Senator Reid to pass this important legislation for Douglas County.” Senator Reid also commented on the progress stating, “I am happy to join Senator Heller in introducing this balanced piece of legislation to promote development, restore the Washoe Tribe's homeland and protect Nevada's cultural and natural resources for generations to come. Douglas County is a spectacular place and I commend the local community for all their hard work to protect and promote it,” said Senator Harry Reid The Douglas County Conservation Bill: *Developed through an exhaustive public process. *Provides for economic development and long-term preservation of the rural character of
This is an example of the type of property the County would like to sell to help fund conservation easements.
Douglas County through the “I am really excited about the disposal of appropriate federal actual passage,” he said. “This has been a lot of years in the lands. making. My hat is off to *Conveys important cultural Douglas County commissionsites to the Washoe Tribe of ers — past and present — Nevada and California. who hung on for years to *Improves recreation oppor- bring this forth.” tunities in Douglas County County Manager Steve and provides for protection of Mokrohisky is also very sage grouse habitat. pleased with congressional *Allows for greater flood support behind the bill. control and infrastructure “We appreciate the efforts management by making cerand continued support of Sentain federal land available to ators Reid and Heller, and the county. Congressman Amodei,” *Designates the Burbank Mokrohisky said. “Our lands Canyons Wilderness Area in bill was developed from an Douglas County. extensive public process and has achieved broad support Jacques Etchegoyhen and his from our community. This is son Dominique worked on a balanced and bipartisan the lands bill for more than lands bill that encourages defour years for the county velopment in areas where through their business Legacy development is appropriate, Land and Water and are still while conserving our natural serving the county as consultbeauty, cultural heritage and ants regarding the bill. water quality for generations.
This is an example of the type of property the County would like to continue to preserve.
V OLUME 3, I SSUE 9
G ENOA C ELEBRATES
P AGE 3
COMPLETION OF MAIN STREET PROJECT
The Town of Genoa along with the Douglas County Redevelopment Agency held a Ribbon Cutting Dedication Ceremony, on Saturday, July 27th. Over 100 residents, officials and dignitaries turned out to celebrate the completion of the Genoa Main Street Enhancement Project, one of Douglas County’s 12 Economic Vitality Projects.
installation of information kiosks, improved parking, new lighting, and undergrounding of six utility poles. Overall the project came in under budget at $1.65 million from the county’s redevelopment fund.
The theme of the dedication was blending history with the future and guest speakers included Dave Whitgob, Chair for the Town of Genoa, Frank GrayShield from the Washoe Tribe, Stephen Mokrohisky, Doug“The vision was to keep what we have las County Manager, and Willy Webb, presiwhile enhancing the sense of communi- dent of the Genoa Business Association.
and Jacks Valley rancher John Ascuaga attended the event, and sat with the architect for the makeover, Sandra Wendel. The project is part of Douglas County’s efforts to revitalize the downtown areas.
Certificates of recognition from Sen. Dean Heller and Governor Brian Sandoval were also presented to the town and Douglas County for the completion of the project. The event concluded with a ribbon cutting, refreshments, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Genoa Town Board and live enterMembers, and Economic Vitality Team Champions cut the tainment inribbon to celebrate completion of the project cluding a bounce house and face painting. ty, of history and of culture,” County Manager Steve Mokrohisky said. “We In addition to both the Genoa Town Board want people to experience the wonder and the Douglas County Board of Commisof this place.” sioners, elected officials at the event included The improvements included new paver walkways, monument & street signs,
Dave Whitgob holds up a certificate of Senatorial Recognition sent from U.S. Senator Dean Heller
Clerk-Treasurer Ted Thran and Recorder Karen Ellison. Longtime Genoa supporter
Special thanks to Douglas County’s Redevelopment Agency Board for approving funding, and the “Posse,” and the Economic Vitality Team, for keeping the project’s momentum on track.
Frank GrayShield from the Washoe Tribe, gave the Invocation
Douglas County Strategic Plan Vision A community to match the scenery! Mission Working together with integrity and accountability, the Douglas County team is dedicated to providing essential and costeffective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors. Values
DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA
Integrity - Accountability - Customer Service - Leadership Communication - Teamwork Priorities
WWW.DOUGLASCOUNTYNV.GOV County Manager’s Office 1594 Esmeralda Ave. PO Box 218 Minden, NV 89423 Phone; 775-782-9821
Financial Stability Public Safety Economic Vitality Infrastructure
F REQUENTLY A SKED Q UESTIONS : T HE B ISON F IRE Q: The Bison Fire was a very large Q: How many acres did the fire end fire, what did Douglas County do to up burning and what is now being make sure it was managed? done to repair the damages left over from the fire? A: We managed this fire following the National Incident Management System and A:Total Acreage burned was 23,812 of Incident Command System and by apply- this acreage Bureau of Land Manageing existing policy and procedures for a ment totaled. 16,710 acres (70%),Bureau fire of this size and complexiof Indian Affairs totaled 3,319 ty. Command personnel are extensively Acres (14%)East Fork Fire District totaled trained in Incident Management, backed- 3,772 Acres (16%) and Smith Valley Fire up by many years of experience amongst District totaled 11 Acres. Federal and our designated incident commandstate agencies are assessing the areas of the ers. With a fire this large and multiple Pine Nut Mountains burned in the Bison jurisdictions, the initial fire management fire to determine places suitable for rehawas provided under unified command bilitation and stabilization. between the BLM and the East Fork Fire District. The fire management was later Q:How can the public stay informed transferred to a Type III Command Team on future fires, and what can they and then as it became more complex, to a do to help with fire prevention? Type II Team. Each level of command capability brings higher levels of resources A: We are actively posting to Twitter, and support.
Facebook, our website and you can sign up to have text and e-mail alerts sent to you. To help with fire prevention people can practice safe use of fire when allowed, provide defensible space if they live in the urban interface, support or join local fire safe councils, support the two fire districts in Douglas County, support the eight volunteer departments in the East Fork Fire District or become a volunteer firefighter.