Carson City supervisors set funding goals for 2001

Finishing a public safety master plan tops a list of goals for the Carson City Board of Supervisors when they tackle the city's $40 million budget early next year.

Supervisors Robin Williamson and Pete Livermore said they chose the public safety master plan as a priority because it gives direction in areas such as sheriff and fire staffing and facilities.

District Attorney Noel Water requested funding to combat drug and alcohol problems because he said people with those problems are overwhelming jails, the juvenile system and schools.

"It's a problem that underlies the majority of the crime in the community," Waters said. "I know at least 40 percent of our arrests are drug or alcohol related. I think we need a little broader recognition to address or deal with this problem. As long as people are using, they're going to get arrested.

"I was trying to suggest that the board could take a more active role in a cross agency, cross community answer. If you get rid of (addictions), maybe you could get rid of some of the motivation that causes so many of the community's problems."

Waters suggested funding some treatment or early childhood education programs.

Supervisors also said they would promote regional economic development and, as they did last year, library resources.

Supervisor Jon Plank said he requested funding for the community center because the building needs work.

"It's an important building used by everyone from infants to seniors," Plank said. "I doubt there is a person (in Carson City) who doesn't come here for something."

Supervisors' top goals for 2001-2001:

1. Implement public safety master plan

2. Information services additional training and staff

3. Regional economic development

4. Improve Community Center

5. Develop a proactive approach to drug and alcohol problems

6. V&T reinvestment

7. Library staffing

8. Improve city Internet development

Supervisor's top 10 goals for 2000-2002:

1. Increase Sheriff's Office staffing

2. Provide funding for storm drainage

3. Library staffing

4. Economic development resources

4. Juvenile Center Phase II

5. Kitchen for juvenile center

7. Sheriff admission center remodel

8. Complete dispatch center

9. Investigative district attorney position

10. Increase GIS computer resources