Virus affecting city, county finances

PRESCOTT – COVID-19 is having an affect on the city and county finances.

Mark Glass, Nevada County Judge, said he’s been informed the money the county gets from a half-cent sales tax on fuel, which normally brings in $25,000 a month, will basically be cut in half because fewer people are traveling because of the coronavirus. “That’s a lot of money for us,” he said, adding the turnback money from the state will also be drastically reduced because people aren’t out and about spending money.

Glass said fewer people are traveling and it’s mostly truckers who are on the road these days.

On top of that, he continued, the number of inmates in the Nevada County Jail has dropped significantly as well as inmates from other areas aren’t being accepted. “This is hitting us all around,” he said.

The courthouse is operating with a skeleton crew, with the public asked to make appointments before coming. Those who show up are met at the door, asked who they need to see and taken where they need to go.

The road and bridge crews are still working, grading and hauling gravel when the weather permits, and the sanitation crews are picking up trash throughout the county.

He added there will be no meeting of the Nevada County Quorum Court this month because of the virus.

Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver agreed, saying the financial situation for the city will be difficult because of the virus. The sales tax, he said, has been doing well the last few years, but the collection will be done over the next few months. “I haven’t established a shortfall yet, but it’ll be a difficult financial situation for the city.”

Like the county, the city is operating with a skeleton crew – primarily at city hall. Oliver said the city is dealing with one or two sewer back up situations a day and there have been some electrical issues, but the city continues to pick up trash to try and keep things sanitary.

The city will be bringing in seven people to mow and get ready for Easter, he said, when people are expected to visit relatives.

City residents, he added, are using the drop box to pay their utility bills. He said people don’t need to quit paying their bills, but contact the city and work things out if they’re having problems.

Oliver gave the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce a shout out, saying Chamber Director Jamie Hillery is doing a good job keeping small businesses informed of where they can get help and letting people know what’s open and when.

He continued, saying the employees at the Hamilton-Blakely Senior Center are coming in and making meals for the clients, as well as delivering the food to them.

The city, he said, will pick up trash on Monday and Thursday next week, on both sides of town. As to the city council meeting, he said unless things get better there won’t be one. “I expect Gov. Hutchinson to close Arkansas.

“We’re trying to get buy, not spending anything if we don’t have to.”