Washoe County District Board of Health Meeting – November 20, 2025
Washoe County District Board of Health Meeting – November 20, 2025
The Washoe County District Board of Health met on November 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, Building A, 1001 East Ninth Street, Reno, Nevada. The meeting covered recognitions, consent items, a franchise report, a vector season presentation, strategic plan results, and divisional staff reports. Key topics included budget constraints on aerial mosquito control, federal funding uncertainty, and progress on public health initiatives.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the October 23, 2025 draft minutes.
- Upheld an uncontested violation against JC Golden Mesa, LLC (Case No. 1579, NOV AQMV25-0017) with a $500 penalty for failing to obtain a Dust Control Permit.
- Upheld an uncontested citation against Smith’s Food & Drug Centers, Inc. (Case No. 1585, NOV AQMV25-0018) with a $500 penalty for failing to comply with vapor recovery testing requirements.
- Approved a subgrant agreement with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) for $262,000 (no match required) to support Safe Drinking Water Act and Residential Wells programs, effective through September 30, 2029.
- Approved an Interlocal Agreement between NNPH and Washoe County School District Nutrition Services for a tasting component in the Power Up Kids program, not to exceed $5,000.
- Approved FY26 vaccine purchases from Merck & Company Inc. not to exceed $215,000 for clinic operations.
- Acknowledged the Health Fund Financial Review for October FY2026.
Recognitions
- Dr. Danika Williams was honored on the DeBeaumont Foundation’s 40 Under 40 in Public Health list for 2025.
- Four employees were recognized for years of service: Heather Holmstadt (15 years), Andrea Esp (10 years), Kara Roseburrough (10 years), and Kaleigh Behrendt (5 years).
- Four employees were recognized as Health Heroes: Melissa Shaffer (Collaboration), Andrea Esp (Compassion, Trustworthiness), Julieta Gallardo (Adaptability, Compassion), and Marisol Martinez-Avila (Collaboration, Compassion, Inclusivity).
REMSA Health Monthly Franchise Report (Item 7)
Barry Duplantis, CEO and President of REMSA Health, presented the October 2025 franchise report. REMSA met franchise compliance for priority one calls in all zones: 91% in Zone A and 94% in Zones B, C, and D. REMSA responded to 8,500 priority one calls and transported 5,542 patients to area hospitals. The customer survey score for October was 93.73. Two REMSA providers, Bryant and David, were recognized for heroic actions during a behavioral health call that saved a life. The board accepted the report unanimously.
2025 Vector Season Presentation (Item 8)
Wes Rubio and Will Lumpkin presented a summary of the 2025 vector season, comparing it to 2023 and 2024. The year 2024 was described as a “normal year” with four equally spaced aerial treatments. In 2023, treatments were delayed until July due to a pilot retirement, leading to higher mosquito numbers. In 2025, due to budget constraints, aerial treatments were paused, and the program focused on surveillance. Weather conditions were mild, and all mosquito pools tested negative for disease. Staff conducted 650 site visits, 478 mosquito control treatments, 4,000 storm drain treatments, and 17 mosquito fish deliveries. Public complaints increased early and late in the season, correlating with mosquito activity. Board member Paul Anderson noted the educational opportunity from public calls and requested comparison data for future budget decisions.
FY26 Q1 Strategic Plan Results (Item 9)
Rayona LaVoie presented the FY26 Q1 strategic plan results, highlighting strong performance in community reach, media campaigns on secondhand smoke, STD/HIV outreach at Washoe County jails, and the community health assessment survey. Challenges included staffing limitations (particularly in Community and Clinical Health Services and Population Health) and uncertainty around federal budgets. A scoring system (on target, in progress, off target) is used to track progress. Board member Steve Driscoll commended staff for maintaining the program despite resource constraints. The board accepted the report unanimously.
Staff Reports and Program Updates (Item 10)
Air Quality Management (10A)
Francisco Vega reported no exceedances of ozone, PM10, or PM2.5 national ambient air quality standards in October. The division reviewed 59 plans, with 57 completed on time (99% for the calendar year). Vega highlighted advancements in forecasting heat-related deaths and noted the region’s status as a fast-warming city. He clarified that his report on EV taxation and road maintenance was not offering solutions but acknowledging the funding gap.
Community and Clinical Health Services (10B)
Christina Sheppard reported that the federal government shutdown ended, with the continuing resolution funding WIC and SNAP through September 30, 2026. She thanked partners (HR, WCEA, Human Services Agency, library) and WIC staff for contingency planning. A flu pod clinic administered 115 vaccines. A story was shared about WIC staff identifying a failure-to-thrive infant and coordinating EMS and CPS, leading to the baby’s recovery. Board member Clara Andriola suggested sharing the story publicly.
Environmental Health Services (10C)
Robert Fyda highlighted the food safety program’s inspection boot camp and hosting Walla Walla County staff. The land development team is working on septic regulations, with a business impact statement coming to the board in December and potential adoption in January. The division received a $262,000 state grant to investigate PFAS in domestic (unregulated) wells. Board member Driscoll inquired about including food safety education in the Washoe County School District culinary curriculum.
Population Health (10D)
Dr. Nancy Diao reported that respiratory virus activity (flu, COVID-19, RSV) remains low but is increasing. Flu activity is below baseline but rising; COVID-19 hospitalizations remain low with three deaths this season (all age 65+). A mutated H3N2 strain is circulating nationally, but Washoe County’s dominant strain is H1N1. Pertussis cases are over four times higher than the previous two seasons, with most cases unvaccinated or undervaccinated. Outbreaks are shifting from hand-foot-mouth disease to respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. The epidemiology team completed an update of the disease manual covering 67 chapters and 90 reportable conditions.
Office of the District Health Officer (10E)
Aaron Mason reported that the Family Health Festival concluded on October 8. A state bill on pharmacist-administered vaccines was monitored and is not expected to impact current NNPH processes. The new TB clinic building is nearing completion; staff toured it and are expected to move in by mid-February to early March 2026.
Board Comment
No board comments were offered. The meeting adjourned at 2:02 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. I'd like to call the meeting recording in progress. Good afternoon. I'd like to call the meeting of the District Board of Health to order at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 20th. Go ahead and ask for a roll call, please. Vice Chair Andreola. Present. Board Member Anderson. Here. Board Member Brown. Here. Board Member Driscoll. Here. Dr. Tuarte? Here. Dr. Ardenko is not currently present. She is going to try to join on Zoom. We do have a quorum. Thank you. I'd like to move then to item two, which is the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Member Brown, who spent some time at the legislature. You might enjoy doing that. Maybe a prayer. Oh, yeah. Our pledge allegiance to the case. For which stands. One nation under law. Individual liberty and justice role. Thank you. I'd like to move to public comment, please. Comments heard under this item will be limited to three minutes per person and may pertain to matters both on and off the board agenda. Unused time may not be allocated to other speakers. Comments are to be made to the board as a whole, and virtual public comment may be taken when facilities are available. A speaker's viewpoint will not be restricted, however, reasonable restrictions may be imposed upon the time, place, and manner of speech. Irrelevant statements, unduly repetitious statements, and personal attacks that would objectively antagonize or incite others are examples of speech that may be reasonably limited. This board carries out the business of Northern Nevada public health and its citizens during its meetings. The presiding officer may order a person removed if the person's conduct or statements disrupt the order or safety of the meeting. Warnings about disruptive conduct or comments may or may not be given prior to removal. Furthermore, certain disruptions of a public meeting are criminal acts as defined under NRS, which may result in prosecution inappropriate cases. And I do not have any requests for public comment at this time. Thank you. And nothing online. No. Great. We'll move now to item number four approval of the agenda. May I have a motion?
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