Washoe County GovernmentLocal authority

Washoe County Government is the local governing body responsible for administering public services, law enforcement, infrastructure, and health programs across Washoe County in northwestern Nevada. Governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, its mandate includes providing municipal services to unincorporated communities as well as regional services to incorporated cities like Reno and Sparks. Established in 1861 by the first Nevada Territorial Legislature as one of the original nine counties, its original county seat was Washoe City before permanently moving to Reno in 1871.