Nevada County News | March 7, 2024

Roads team member Shaun Cummins working in the Hobart Mills area of Truckee during last weekend's winter storms. Photo: Vera DeFerrari, Senior Administrative Analyst.

Presidential Primary Election Results Continue to Be Updated

The Nevada County Elections Office continues to count ballots for the Presidential Primary Election. The canvass began today. As of noon today, 9,419 ballots remained uncounted. Election results will continue to be posted on Fridays and Tuesdays until the certification process is complete. The office has up to 30 days to certify the election. It may finish sooner than the statutory deadline.

Nevada County's Registrar of Voters Natalie Adona speaks with YubaNet to provide an update on election results, ballots to be counted, and what to expect during the canvass period. Watch on YouTube.

Every Woman Counts: Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings

Nevada County's Every Women Counts program is designed to support women's health by offering free breast exams, mammograms (for those 40 years and older), and cervical cancer screenings (for those 21 years and above).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually in the US. Cervical cancer, though preventable, also remains a significant health concern. Early detection through programs like "Every Woman Counts" significantly improves treatment outcomes and prognosis.

The Public Health Mobile Health Unit is on the Move!

Public Health recently collaborated with Grizzly Hill School to host a free vaccination event for kids who were behind on immunizations or new to the school. This partnership, supported by Superintendent Scott Mikal-Heine, District Secretary Shelline Martines, and Grizzly Hill School administrative staff, highlights the school's commitment to community health and accessibility.

Community Initiative Funding Application Open for Non-Profits

Community Initiative Funds (CIF) are available to facilitate non-profit projects that support programs aimed at alleviating the causes of poverty in Nevada County.

CIF funding will be allocated on a one-time-only basis to two separate projects from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, at an amount not to exceed $15,000 each, with an estimated total of $30,000 available. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, and CIF funds must be targeted to low-income residents. The application deadline is April 5, 2024, no later than noon.

Nevada County’s Energy Action Plan: Supporting Cheaper, Cleaner Power from Pioneer

Our community’s Energy Action Plan, put into effect by the Board of Supervisors unanimously five years ago, does many wonderful things for Nevada County in addition to laying out broad countywide goals of reducing our collective energy use over a 16-year period.

The good news is that reducing our collective energy use doesn’t mean reducing our quality of life. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite will happen.

Teen MakerSpace Pop-Up at Grass Valley Library

Get ready to ignite your creativity and dive into a world of innovation because something awesome is brewing at the Grass Valley Library!

Mark your calendars for every second Friday of the month because it's time to unleash your inner maker at the Teen MakerSpace! Located downstairs in the staff room right next to the Teen Area, it's the ultimate hub for all things imaginative and hands-on.

What's a Teen MakerSpace? It's your spot for hands-on exploration and creativity! From crafting cool gadgets and DIY projects to exploring the latest tech trends, there's something for every curious mind out there!

Upcoming Meetings & Events

The Business of Art Symposium

Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sierra College - Grass Valley Campus

The Business of Art is an annual symposium of illuminating plenary and professional development sessions for our creative community. Hear from County, City, and Town leaders at The Future of Public Art in Nevada County breakout session at 11 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room.

Learn More

Young At Art Kick-off Party

Tuesday, March 12, 4-5:15 p.m.

Eric Rood Administration Center Lobby

Save the date and join us to have some ice cream at the Kick-off Party in celebration of the new art exhibition Young At Art! This annual event, in conjunction with National Youth Arts Month, is sponsored by Nevada County Superintendent of Schools and the Nevada County Arts Council, featuring work from talented local students.

Learn More

Board of Supervisors Meeting Preview

The Tuesday, March 12 Board of Supervisors meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Board Chambers at the Eric Rood Administration Center.

Meeting at a Glance

Consent Calendar

These items are expected to be routine and non-controversial. The Board of Supervisors will act upon them at one time without discussion.

Public Comment

Members of the public will be allowed to address the Board on items not appearing on the agenda that are of interest to the public and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board.

Scheduled Item 10 a.m.

Public hearing to: A) Consider the amendment to a Williamson Act Contract to remove a parcel previously included in the contract following change of ownership (PLN23-0172; WAC23-0001). The remaining subject parcel is 54.67 acres with Agricultural Exclusive zoning, is used for cattle grazing, and is proposed as an agricultural preserve. B) Consider approval of a Williamson Act Contract (PLN23-0177; WAC23-0002).

Community Presentation

Resolution proclaiming the month of March 2024 as “Youth Art Month” in Nevada County. (Scott Lay, Nevada County Superintendent of Schools)

Individual Board Member Item

Informational presentation from Mary-Ann Warmerdam, Senior Vice President of the Rural County Representatives of California.

Department Head Matters

Presentation from Sierra Business Council on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
Resolution approving the contract between County of Nevada and Cohen Defense Group for indigent legal defense services in the maximum amount of $3,028,780, for the period of March 12, 2024, through June 30, 2027, and authorizing the County Executive Officer to execute the contract.
Resolution approving an agreement between County of Nevada and the County of Placer for conflict indigent legal defense services in the Eastern region, and authorizing the County Executive Officer to sign and execute the agreement.
Resolution amending various Nevada County budgets through the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Quarter 2 Consolidated American Rescue Plan Act Expenditure Plan Budget Amendment. (4/5 affirmative vote required)

Closed Sessions

Afternoon Session 1:30 p.m.

Department Head Matters:

2024 Board Objectives Charter and resource allocation discussion.
Resolution amending Authorized Personnel Staffing Resolution 23-338, as amended by Resolutions 23-529, 24-025, and 24-093.

Adjournment

Staff Highlights

Celebrating Women's History Month

Nicole Hamilton Makes Law Enforcement Dreams a Reality

Nicole Hamilton is one of the newest faces at the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO). She graduated from the Sacramento Police Academy in Dec. 2023 and jumpstarted her career as an NCSO deputy a few days later.

Hamilton didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a sheriff’s deputy, but one chance article changed her perspective on life.

“I was working in sales at the time, and although I loved my job, I found myself wanting more,” recalled Hamilton. “I have always been passionate about helping and serving others and desired to be a part of something that was bigger than myself. I stumbled across an article about a woman in Southern California who left her desk job at age 29 to pursue a career in law enforcement and felt inspired.”

Truckee Vote Center Staff Continues Through Blizzard

How serious are Nevada County’s dedicated poll workers about running an election? They are willing to serve voters through a blizzard.

“I feel honored and privileged to serve my county,” said Marie Clukey, the 71-year-old manager of the Truckee Town Hall Vote Center.

She and other temporary elections staff braved icy roads and dangerous conditions to staff the two Truckee vote centers during a severe snowstorm on Saturday, March 2, and continued operations daily through Election Day, March 5.

Come Work with Us!

Nevada County employs approximately 800 employees covering a full range of services and positions, from accountants to wastewater treatment system operators. In Nevada County, quality of life comes first. It is the only rural California county with two designated Cultural Districts and is known for its abundance of outdoor recreational activities.

Attorney III - Criminal District Attorney

We are looking for experienced prosecutors to join our team. The Nevada County District Attorney’s Office is seeking Criminal Attorneys II / III to prosecute misdemeanor and felony cases received from State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies in Nevada County.

The Attorney II / III position will be primarily focused on a felony caseload that may include homicides, sexual assault, and other major crimes. Attorney II / III handles the more complex and critical cases that require sophisticated legal knowledge and experience.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable and proficient in the use of technology for the management of case information, report documentation, evidence, and information exchange. In addition, candidates must understand the various state, federal, and local laws as well as standard court procedures.

Sound communication, report writing, collaboration, and presentation skills are strongly desired. Applicants must have the ability to interact with individuals from diverse social, economic, cultural, behavioral, and environmental settings.

Learn more about this position online. Have a question? Contact Human Resources at (530) 265-7010 and select option 2.