County of Nevada Government News Digest

Residents and business owners with storm damage repairs in unincorporated Nevada County will receive priority permitting and have local fees waived for repair permits.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors took the next steps to bring broadband technology to Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee and unincorporated areas. The fiber optic lines will be underground wherever feasible.

Along with several other counties, Nevada County governments, some nonprofits and houses of worship can apply for funding from FEMA’s public assistance program due to impacts from severe winter storms.

Nevada County will give out $434,000 to fund public health and safety projects at outdoor recreation destinations impacted by the pandemic.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors signed off on the 2023 Board Objectives at their Feb. 7 meeting.

Effective Feb. 6, Nevada County Superior Court will expand its clerk’s counter hours at all locations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each court day at all court locations.

Nevada County Auditor-Controller Gina Will, the chief accounting officer of Nevada County, is busy watching over the budget for the county, special districts and schools after being sworn in earlier this month.

Senior Administrative Analyst Leslie Williams has been named the department’s interim public information officer. “While this appointment may be temporary until permanently filled, she will be your new point of contact,” outgoing Public Information Officer Andrew Trygg said.

District 2 Supervisor Ed Scofield took over as chair of the Board of Supervisors, replacing District 4 Supervisor Sue Hoek. District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock will serve as vice chair.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors recognized their colleagues, District 3 Supervisor Dan Miller, Auditor-Controller Marcia Salter, Assessor Sue Horne, and Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Greg Diaz, for their service.

A coalition of well owners and activists told the county supes of their concerns regarding the Idaho-Maryland gold mine. RISE Gold Corporation of Canada’s proposal will pump over a million gallons daily; residents fear depletion of groundwater.

The plan is not only a first for the county but also one of the first in the state to integrate solutions for adapting to extreme weather, wildfire, drought and other impacts as part of planning for parks and recreation amenities.

With temperatures dropping, Nevada County and Nevada City activate the Cold Weather Shelter Protocol. Shelter at the Nevada City public library opens at 4:30 p.m.

The Nevada County Elections Office results released Nov. 22 showed that the “No” on Measure V campaign has increased its lead to a margin of 1,733 votes. Measure V would have implemented a half-cent sales tax, intended to help provide wildfire prevention, emergency services, and disaster readiness.

A Nevada County judge has ruled that Rob Tribble is not qualified to be the next auditor-controller of Nevada County. Tribble had previously won the June 7 auditor-controller race against Gina Will.

Another batch of results was released in Nevada County on Nov. 16, and the incumbents for the Truckee Town Council race are still in the lead.

Small nonfarm businesses in 26 California counties and neighboring counties in Nevada are eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, officials announced.

The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services is seeking community feedback on improving the current Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance.  All residents, property owners, and renters of unincorporated Nevada County are encouraged to share their thoughts.

Rob Tribble won the June 7 race for auditor-controller, but attorneys on opponent Gina Will’s behalf are arguing in Nevada County Superior Court that Tribble is not qualified to hold the position of due to his lack of relevant experience.

In 2021, the total gross value of agricultural products in Nevada County was valued at $21,222,300, according to the Nevada County 2021 Crop and Livestock Report.

For the first time, the Nevada County Department of Agriculture prepared and presented a Cannabis Supplemental Report, which estimated that the legally produced commercial cannabis crop is valued at $12.4 million.

To increase collaboration within regional agencies on sustainability and climate change issues, the first Sustainability Summit was held Oct. 13 in Truckee. The event was co-hosted by Nevada County supervisors Hardy Bullock and Heidi Hall.

Residents who made a payment by check to Nevada County between Sept. 21 and Oct. 6, should be on alert for a possible duplicate charge. The Treasurer’s Office became aware of an electronic processing error that duplicated 3,000 checks, and the staff prevented additional duplicate charges.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors considered projects brought forward by the Office of Emergency Services, including three new large-scale community defense zones.

Patti Ingram Spencer and Lisa Swarthout are running for the seat currently held by Supervisor Dan Miller. The candidates at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Nevada County answered questions about fire, housing and the Idaho-Maryland Mine.

A judge will decide if Measure V—the half-cent sales tax initiative set for the November ballot—will get changed. Audrey Pruett has filed a petition in Nevada County Superior Court seeking, among other things, that the tax pass by a two-thirds majority, and that the ballot language be changed.

The League of Women Voters of Nevada County will hold one forum only for the upcoming November election, as many candidates for several races declined to attend. However, one forum—for Grass Valley City Council—isn’t happening “due to public safety concerns.”

Nevada County celebrated the completion of the Brunswick Commons housing development with officials and speakers from the Regional Housing Authority, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, and Hospitality House. The project will provide 41 units of housing to homeless or at-risk individuals.

Candidate filings have closed in Nevada County for the Nov. 8 election. Voters will decide several races—including Truckee Town Council, with three incumbents plus Planning Commissioner Suzie Tarnay running for three open seats.

The Nevada County Library has begun offering a Recreation Collection, an assortment of outdoor and indoor recreational items that can be checked out for free. The library will continue to add items, and patrons can expect to see seasonally appropriate outdoor equipment.