The Nevada County Quorum Court met on Tuesday (10-8) in the County Courthouse. The minutes were approved from the previous meeting and the financial statement discussed.
For committee reports, Mary Godwin reported a drainage ditch was so much better and also mentioned the desire to improve Bobcat Road. Funding could be an issue since no city or town in Nevada County met the threshold of “Low to Moderate Income” of 51 percent. There are two options to deal with this. One is to find a census block that is low income or to go door to door and ask people their income.
Godwin said the carnival did very well on Friday at the Nevada County Fair last month and were outstanding on Saturday as well. Every aspect of the fair was bigger this year. Businesses really stepped up and contributed according to Godwin.
Godwin also talked about a local law enforcement block grant that was finished and said there were a couple of positive things to announce that she was not at liberty to announce yet.
Jamie Hillery of the Prescott/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce gave her monthly service report. For the Fall Festival there are 80 vendors. There will be food trucks, live music and churches. The festival is set for this Saturday (10-12) in downtown Prescott. The giving tree project will open on November 4th. These are for necessities such as clothing and shoes rather than bicycles. Last year 30 kids were adopted. Donation is possible for those who don’t have the time to shop. Usually, the generosity of the community means the program is expanded to serve more families each year.
County Extension Agent Stacy Stone announced the hiring of Sheila Ballard. He told the JP’s Marty Godwin having the Grand Champion Steer.
Ben Hale apologized for not attending the quorum court last month. He explained his office is down to one deputy and he also was working on the effort to save the Hope hospital, for which he was thanked. Hale reviewed Ordinance 24-6, making a change in article 3 adding a statement. Hale said all counties have some version of the ordinance. The new ordinance prohibits many things on county roads including blocking the roads, dumping anything on them, burning anything on them, diverting water across them, digging or placing any item on or across them. This includes poles, wires, fences, and gates on easements or right of ways without the county judges written permission. It was noted the U.S. constitution prohibits ex post facto laws, meaning it something was there already it cannot be prosecuted for. County Judge Mike Otwell talked about a gas line that was encountered while working on a county road. This potential hazard was cited as a reason for the need for the ordinance. Hale clarified that the ordinance can be amended later. On a couple of properties, a gas line goes directly across the culvert bridges. The added language reads “It shall be unlawful and in violation of this ordinance to do any of these activities on a county road without written permission”. The ordinance was read as an emergency ordinance. Shane Horn asked why the ordinance was being pursued utilizing the emergency clause. He noted an emergency ordinance must define the emergency. Article 6 was cited stating it was needed for public safety. The motion was approved by the JP’s.
For new business, Ordinance 24-8 was considered which would approve funds in the amount of $7,400 for the Sheriff’s Department.
Kevin Hobson was hired for weekend plumbing work by the quorum court.
A motion was made to approve the Judge adding Deputy Treasurer Lorelei to the bank account. Discussion ensued about raising her salary with the added duties. There was a recommendation the budget committee come back and address this issue.
The meeting adjourned.