Douglas County continues to effectively manage its General Fund budget, fin-ishing last fiscal year by gen-erating 0.64% more reve-nue than was budgeted and spending 0.80% less than was budgeted. The total General Fund budget vari-ance for Fiscal Year 2011-12 was 1.44%, which is generally viewed as very accurate budgeting and dili-gent financial management.

COUNTY ENDS FISCAL YEAR 11-12 IN THE BLACK

GENOA VISTA TRAIL OPENS TO THE PUBLIC The new 1.3 mile paved trail from Walley’s Hot Springs to downtown Genoa is now open to the public. A dedication ceremony of the newly constructed Genoa Vista Trail was held on Satur-day, January 26, 2013. Nearly 200 people joined Douglas County, Town of Genoa and other state and local leaders to cut the ribbon and open the trail. Construction of the trail is part of the Genoa Destination Project, one of 12 Douglas County Eco-nomic Vitality projects that strive to create a commu-nity to match the scenery. The trail, which parallels

ranchlands, a conservation area and wetlands, provides visitors a variety of recrea-tional activities including bik-ing, walking and bird watch-ing, as well as links to shop-

ping, dining, picnicking, and sightseeing in the Town of Genoa. “I believe the trail is one additional reason for visitors to come to Genoa.

(Continued on page 3)

FEBRUARY, 2013 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13

13-14 BUDGET CALENDAR

February 15— preliminary revenue numbers from State

February 21—Board to ap-prove budget direction and policies

March 11—Strategic Plan-ning and Priority Based Budg-eting Workshop; 1st Annual Financial State of the County

April 9 and 10—Board of Commissioners tentative budget hearings

May 8 and 9—Board of Commissioners tentative budget hearings, including Capital Improvement Plan

May 20—Board of Commis-sioners public hearing and adoption of final budget

June 1—Final budget due to State of Nevada

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

POSITIVE ECO-

NOMIC TRENDS 2

FISCAL YEAR IN BLACK (CONT)

3

GENOA VISTA TRAIL (CONT)

3

FAQS 4

COMMUNITY CENTER

2

DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA

NEWS YOU CAN USE

The Board of Commission-ers is considering utilizing the one-time funds from prudent financial manage-ment for one-time invest-ments in adopted strategic priorities, including preven-tative road maintenance, update of the transportation plan and remapping flood areas in the Carson Valley from the flawed FEMA study. The Board has also used available one-time

funds from prudent financial management for restoring reserves and funding com-munity grants. Over the past four years, Douglas County has eliminated over 70 full-time positions, re-duced employee salaries by 5% and stabilized personnel expenses for three years, and shifted existing property tax revenue to fund critical pub-lic services. Fiscal Year

(Continued on page 3)

Douglas County and Town of Genoa officials cut the ribbon to open the Genoa Vista Trail on January 26th.

After a competitive selection process, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously ap-proved the contract award for construc-tion of the new Com-munity and Senior Center at Herbig Park to Core Construction and Tate Snyder Kinsey Architects. Construction on the 75,000 square foot public facility is planned to begin within the next few months and be com-plete by late 2014. The project is being funded with a respon-sible financing plan, including a combina-tion of general obliga-tion bonds and available re-serves. The County received an A+ bond rating from Standard and Poor’s in 2012,

based on its strong financial management practices and ability to repay debt. Douglas County residents have sought

to build a community center for youth, families and seniors in the Carson Valley for nearly 40 years.

COUNTY AWARDS COMMUNITY CENTER CONTRACT

PAGE 2 NEWS YOU CAN USE

“THE PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED

WITH A RESPONSIBLE

FINANCING PLAN. STANDARD AND

POOR’S GAVE THE COUNTY AN A+

BOND RATING BASED ON ITS

STRONG FINANCIAL

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND

ABILITY TO REPAY DEBT.”

POSITIVE ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR 2013 After four years of significant economic challenges locally and nationally, there are sev-eral recent economic indica-tors to be optimistic about in Douglas County. Unemploy-ment in Douglas County is the lowest it has been for over three years. Average employ-ment for the manufacturing sector continues a positive trend with a net increase of 108 new jobs over the past year, totaling 1,781 manufac-turing jobs, which is similar to 2006 employment levels.

Home sales in Douglas County are the highest since 2005 and average home sale prices in the Carson Valley have increased for the first time since 2006. Building permits are at their highest since 2008. Due to heavy snow in December, Lake Tahoe accommodations have experienced strong advance bookings and a 20% increase in average rates. Main Street Gardnerville has seen a net increase in 38 businesses since 2009 and the town of Genoa has welcomed 8 new busi-

nesses since 2011. A new Dollar General store opened recently in Gardnerville Ran-chos. A new Radio Shack and Five Guys restaurant opened at Topsy Lane. Walmart opened in Gardnerville. Maverick gas station opened at the Minden Gateway and a tractor supply store is under design review. Douglas County continues to work with its local and regional partners to improve the busi-ness climate and spur eco-nomic vitality.

“HOME SALES ARE THE HIGHEST

SINCE 2005 AND PRICES INCREASED

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2006. MANUFACTURING JOBS INCREASED

BY 108 OVER THE PAST YEAR AND ARE SIMILAR TO 2006 LEVELS.”

Above: an exterior rendering of the new Community and Senior Cen-ter at Herbig Park. Below: the gymnasium and senior dining areas.

Once there, they have the opportunity to discover the rest of the Carson Valley,” said Greg Lynn, Redevelop-ment Agency Chairman. “When you step into Genoa, you are stepping back in time to experience life as it was nearly a century ago. These investments will only enhance the historic Genoa experience for residents, visitors and

(Continued from page 1) businesses,” Lynn said. The project was approved in 2011, with funding from the Douglas County Redevelopment Agency and a grant from Ne-vada State Lands, Question 1 Program, through The Nature Conservancy. The trail, which encompasses property owned by 1862 Walley’s Hot Springs Resort and Spa, The Nature Conservancy, United States Forest Service, Nevada Divi-sion of Transportation, and

Ranch No. 1, was a high pri-ority on the Town of Genoa’s strategic plan for a number of years before being incorpo-rated into the Genoa Destina-tion Project. Project ap-proval was given in April of 2011. After obtaining ease-ments from the various prop-erties along the trail’s span, construction began in Sep-tember 2012. The second part of the Genoa Destination Project, the Main Street En-hancement, is planned to be-gin construction soon. The Board of Commissioners ap-proved the construction con-tract award to a local north-ern Nevada company on Feb-ruary 7th. The work is sched-uled to be complete by the opening of Candy Dance in September 2013.

GENOA VISTA TRAIL OPENS TO THE PUBLIC (CONT)

COUNTY ENDS FY11-12 IN THE BLACK (CONT)

2011-12 General Fund ex-penditures were below Fiscal Year 2008-09 levels and are expected to remain level with slow growth over the next three years, despite significant increased costs from the State of Nevada of over $500,000. County officials estimate an approximate $1 million short-fall for FY13-14 and are working to avoid additional cost shifts from the State dur-ing the 77th session of the Legislature.

(Continued from page 1)

PAGE 3 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13

“THE BUDGET VARIANCE OF

1 .44% IS GENERALLY

VIEWED AS VERY ACCURATE

BUDGETING AND DILIGENT

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.”

Nearly 200 people head south on the 1.3 mile trail from Genoa to Walley’s Hot Springs after the grand opening

Local residents head north on the Genoa Vista Trail,

which sits at the foot of the Carson Range of the Sierra

Nevada Mountains

‐

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

30,000,000

35,000,000

40,000,000

45,000,000

FY5 FY6 FY7 FY8 FY9 FY10 FY11 FY12

Budget

Actual

GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

General Fund expenditures have leveled off over the past four years, due largely to position eliminations and salary reductions

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 cost-effective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and

vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors.

Values

Integrity - Accountability - Customer Service - Leadership - Communication - Teamwork

Priorities

Financial Stability

Public Safety

Economic Vitality

Infrastructure

Natural Environment, Resources and Cultural Heritage

Manage Growth and Change

Thank you for taking the time to review the information in our newsletter. We value your opinion - if you have any questions or suggestions to improve the services and information we provide to you, please contact us. Steve Mokrohisky Douglas County Manager

County Manager’s Office 1594 Esmeralda Ave.

PO Box 218 Minden, NV 89423

Phone: 775-782-9821

Fax: 775-782-6255 E-mail: countymanager@co.douglas.nv.us

DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA

Q: What can the County do to address the number of accidents at hwy 395 and Airport Road?

A: Douglas County is working coop-eratively with NDOT to improve safety at that intersection. Both hwy 395 and Airport Road are State roads, but we believe that there are options available through either realignment of the right turn lane onto Airport Road, signage or possibly a traffic signal.

Q: Why does one government agency pay fees for services to another government agency?

A: Many of the fees charged from one government agency to another are related to direct costs and specific ser-vices being provided by one agency to

Q: What is the State doing with the Consolidated Tax (C-Tax)?

A: The C-Tax includes sales tax, mo-tor vehicle privilege tax, real property transfer tax, cigarette tax, and liquor tax that is collected at the State and allocated to local governments based on a formula mandated by State stat-ute. An interim subcommittee of the Legislature recently studied the alloca-tion of money distributed from the C-Tax to local governments. The Doug-las County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting the work done by the in-terim subcommittee. The C-Tax represents approximately 26% of Douglas County’s General Fund reve-nue.

another. Each of these agencies have their own elected governing bodies and separate purpose for collecting certain taxes and fees. All public agencies require that the cost of service be re-covered for the taxpayers or ratepayers of the agency providing the service. The recently updated public services and facilities element of the County’s Master Plan identifies approximately 38 separate taxing districts in Douglas County. We continue to work with local and regional agencies to establish partnerships, share services and reduce duplication. Consolidation of public service functions among various inde-pendent agencies will require support from local residents and taxpayers within the districts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WWW. DOUGLASCOUNTYNV. GOV