Washoe County Commissioner Bob Larkin says residents who live in Sparks and Washoe County are “in the right place at the right time.” Coupled with a desirable work and outdoors environment, Larkin said Washoe County has a “remarkable” and “historic” trend of growth that makes its cities more viable places to reside.

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is working in conjunction with the cities of Reno and Sparks on areas to help become a more attractive region. As such, Larkin said he is seeking re-election for his seat to finish some work and to provide a better future for the next generation.

“I’m a fifth-generation Nevadan. I raised my kids here and my grandkids are here; we need to provide room for them to live but also quality jobs for them to work at,” Larkin said. “If we don’t have jobs here, the quality of life decreases.”

Larkin, a Sparks resident, took office in 1995. As the chairman of the BOCC and commissioner for District 4, representing portions of Sparks, Spanish Springs, Warm Springs and Wadsworth, he now faces two opponents in this election.

Under his leadership, Larkin said the BOCC has begun work on the four goals he made when he first ran for office: the Truckee River flood project, the southeast connector, infrastructure for Pyramid Highway and achieving intergovernmental cooperation between Washoe County and the cities of Reno and Sparks.

One challenge Larkin said he has faced with the other commisssioners is making decisions to cut spending.

“The budget cycles are historic,” he said. “We’re currently right in the middle of a downturn. ... Last year, we took substantial steps to curb spending. Sales figures were decreased to further steps in the (job) freeze, so there are no new positions.

“Like any well-run business and household, we have to balance our checkbook,” he said. “It’s not necessarily a fun deal, but we’re responsible adults; we’re leaders in the community.”

Larkin said he is focusing his campaign on responsible, sustainable growth.

The commissioner said he’s excited about the possibilities of reaching out to other areas and drawing skilled professionals to the Reno-Tahoe area through the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada’s efforts.

“It’s the next generation of incoming producers and we’re excited about them and the energy they’re going to be bringing into the area,” he said.

Balancing “various demands” as an elected official and between the county and city governments has been the most challenging part of his role, he said.

“It’s like when my children wanted all the games in Wal-Mart but in my pocketbook I have to establish priorities, he said. “Then you choose which priority is first, which is second highest ... and not everybody is happy all the time. It takes a lot of time and people may not like the decisions.

“This region has poised itself to attract world-class business and world-class employees at substantially higher base wages that will take us into the next decade and beyond as not only the place to work and live but play,” he said. “We have a great playground with Tahoe, Pyramid and the (Truckee) river. We’re now being recognized by local business leaders and even regional business leaders and they say this is a jewel that’s overlooked and we need to invest in this area.”