Washoe commission to grow, maybe

Nevada’s population is now receding after half a century of spectacular growth, but the number of residents rose high enough before the completion of the 2010 census for the state to get another U.S. House seat.

The same thing is happening in other governing boards, such as the Washoe County Commission, which must now be enlarged. Under Nevada Revised Statute 244.016, when a county passes a 400,000-resident threshold, “the board of county commissioners consists of seven members.” Currently, the Washoe County Commission has five members.

However, in the state capital, Bill Draft Request 548 is expected to produce a bill containing language that would provide for a review by the legislature of all affected governments. The lawmakers may decide not to permit the enlargements of governing boards.

According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau last week, Washoe County grew by 24.13 percent over the last 10 years, from 339,486 in 2000 to 421,407 last year.