District Board of Health Meeting – March 26, 2026

The Washoe County District Board of Health met on March 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, Building A, 1001 E. 9th Street, Reno. The board reviewed and approved consent items, received presentations on suicide prevention, a chronic disease data dashboard, a pertussis overview, and REMSA Health reports. The board also accepted the BARHII assessment and PH WINS workforce survey, approved the annual 360 feedback process for the District Health Officer, and recognized a local physician for identifying a measles case. A public comment from the Mayor of Sparks requested reconsideration of the REMSA contract.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 26, 2026, draft minutes.
• Approved a $200,000 EPA grant for Air Quality Management, retroactive to October 1, 2025.
• Accepted a menstrual product donation from Swoon Bridal (estimated $2,000 value) – moved out of consent and discussed separately.
• Upheld an uncontested violation against StoneHaven Construction & Development with a $500 administrative penalty for failing to obtain a Dust Control Permit.
• Acknowledged receipt of Health Fund Financial Reviews for January and February 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mayor of Sparks (Mayor Lawson) requested the board reconsider the REMSA contract, stating that a fire station remains closed due to the contract and that Sparks has been "largely ignored." He announced the city is investigating alternative ambulance services via a request for proposals.

Recognitions & Proclamations

• New Hires: Kathleen Patterson (APRN) joined February 23, 2026.
• Years of Service: Heylyn Lorena Solorio (30 years), Sunita Monga (30 years), Nicholas Florey (20 years), Michael Crawford (10 years), Nancy Diao (5 years).
• Health Heroes: Ryan Rennie, Victoria Nicolson-Hornblower, Eva Sandoval, Dawn Edwards, April Miller.
• Proclamation: Declared the week of April 6–12, 2026, as National Public Health Week.
• Special Recognition: Dr. Randall Rhea (emergency physician, Northern Nevada Health System) was honored for rapidly identifying a measles case on Christmas Day 2025, enabling swift contact tracing and preventing further spread.

Discussion Items

Suicide Prevention Initiatives (Item 8A)

Joseph Dibble presented the Washoe Suicide Prevention Alliance. Key statistics: Nevada ranks among the top 10 U.S. states for suicide death rates; firearms account for most suicides and are lethal in 90% of attempts; having a firearm at home triples the odds of death by suicide. The alliance includes 13 firearm retailers in a secure storage network. Assembly Bill 451, which passed in the last legislative session, provides civil liability protection for retailers. Over 500 community members have been trained in suicide intervention (2023–2025). The board discussed expanding multimedia campaigns and distributing materials.

Chronic Disease and Injury Data Dashboard (Item 8B)

Nicole Alberti, Stephanie Chen, and Tayler Gerhard demonstrated a new interactive dashboard on the Get Healthy Washoe website. The dashboard consolidates data on chronic disease risk factors, injuries, mortality, and prevention efforts. Notable trends: the percentage of adults eating at least one serving of fruits/vegetables per day declined from ~70% (2016–2018) to ~55% (recent); falls are the leading cause of injury-related ED visits and hospitalizations among older adults; youth e-cigarette purchases from retailers declined after the Tobacco 21 law (December 2019). The dashboard enables comparisons between Washoe County, Nevada, and national data.

Pertussis Overview (Item 8C)

Liliana Wilbert reported that 2025 recorded the highest number of pertussis cases in Washoe County in a decade (31 cases, a 520% increase from 2023–2024). By early March 2026, 19 cases had been reported, already 61% of the prior year's total. Cases ranged in age from 0 to 95; median age was 14. The reproduction number (R0) is 12–17. An estimated cost of $3,000 per case (in 2026 dollars) was cited from a Nebraska study. The health department has identified 64 contacts, three schools, and multiple workplaces. Prevention emphasizes vaccination and early detection.

REMSA Health Monthly Reports (Item 9)

Barry Duplantis presented January and February 2026 reports. Key figures: January – 8,619 calls, 5,852 transports; February – 8,048 calls, 5,379 transports. Average daily transports: ~190. Customer survey scores: 93.85% (Jan) and 94.93% (Feb). A spike in BLS (basic life support) calls was noted. Approved unanimously.

REMSA Franchise Compliance Report FY25 (Item 10)

Andrea Esp reported 96% overall compliance (52 metrics fully met, 2 partially met) for the period July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. The two partially met metrics related to emergency medical determinant (EMD) code review. Board Member Driscoll noted that a data request from July 2025 had not been fulfilled; staff confirmed it would be addressed. Approved unanimously.

Proposed REMSA Response Zone Map (Item 11)

Andrea Esp presented the annual map review. No changes were proposed for the July 1, 2026, effective date. A new interactive public map was launched, allowing residents to look up their response zone and time metrics. The board discussed high-utilization areas (e.g., CARES campus, casinos, skilled nursing facilities) and efforts to reduce non-emergency 911 calls. Approved unanimously.

Variance Case – Cook 2011 Family Trust (Item 12)

David Kelly presented a variance to allow a reduced lot size on a parcel at 430 River Pines. The SWS Hearing Board had approved the variance; the District Board of Health upheld that decision. Approved unanimously.

Business Impact Statement for Air Quality Regulation 040.033 (Item 13)

Craig Petersen presented revisions to regulations governing food establishments. The board found that the revision does not impose a significant economic burden or restrict business formation/operation/expansion. Approved unanimously.

BARHII Assessment and Results (Item 14)

Eva Sandoval presented the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII) framework. Four themes emerged: (1) strengthen data-informed decision-making, (2) address broader factors influencing health, (3) modernize hiring practices, and (4) build workforce capacity. A three-year action plan was accepted. Approved unanimously.

PH WINS Survey Results and Workforce Insights (Item 15)

Rayona LaVoie presented the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS). Key findings: 78% of staff have been in their current role less than five years; supervisors have 10+ years of experience; job satisfaction is high, with work-life balance and supervisor relationships as strengths; supervisors report higher burnout. Training priorities include financial management, policy engagement, and systems thinking. The results will inform the next workforce development plan. Accepted unanimously.

Annual 360 Feedback Survey for District Health Officer (Item 16)

Laurie Griffey presented the process and questions for the 2026 evaluation. Based on Vice Chair Andreola's recommendation, a fourth group (NNPH staff/supervisors) will be added, and two score ratings will be provided (three groups vs. four groups) to allow comparability with 2025. The survey will use Microsoft Forms and remain open for 10 days. Approved unanimously.

Staff Reports & Program Updates (Item 17)

• Air Quality Management: Updates on EPA litigation, newsletters, and divisional reports.
• Community and Clinical Health Services: 2026 World TB Day, program metrics.
• Environmental Health Services: Consumer protection, land development, vector-borne disease.
• Population Health: Epidemiology, EMS, vital statistics.
• Office of the District Health Officer: Communications, accreditation, workforce development.

All reports were accepted as written.

Board Comment

• Board Member Driscoll requested that reconsideration of the REMSA agreement (approved in January 2026) be placed on the next agenda. The Chair noted it would be taken under advisement with legal counsel.

Key Outcomes

• All action items approved unanimously except where noted (all votes were unanimous).
• Approved: Consent calendar, REMSA monthly reports (Jan/Feb 2026), REMSA franchise compliance report FY25, REMSA response zone map (no changes), variance case, business impact statement, BARHII assessment acceptance, PH WINS acceptance, and 360 feedback survey process.
• Adopted: National Public Health Week proclamation.
• Next steps: The 360 feedback survey to be distributed within 10 days; results to be presented in April 2026. The REMSA reconsideration request to be evaluated for a future agenda.