Court approves 2023 budget

PRESCOTT – It was budget time for the Nevada County Quorum court at its December meeting Tuesday.

The court approved a budget for 2023, with the exception of the budget for the jail. Only 25 percent of the jail budget was approved and the budget will be looked at again in three months. Part of the reason for the decision was Nevada County Sheriff Danny Martin requested a $2 per hour increase for jailers. The budget committee, though, couldn’t find a way with the anticipated revenue figured to make it happen.

All other budgets were approved without questions. The court was reminded Christmas bonuses were figured in to the budget and remain unchanged at $650 for full-time employees and $300 for part-timers.

In other business, Colby Wells and Jamie Farrell, were on hand representing South Central Connect, a new internet service coming to Prescott and Nevada County.

Wells pointed out South Central also provides electrical services in the area through South Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. In 20916, Wells said, South  Central ‘s board voted for a fiber-optic project for smart metering for new meters. He added it only made sense to build in extra fiber and serve homes as well. At this time, he continued, not everyone who wants the service can get it, but the company is working to provide coverage for the majority of the county.

This won’t happen overnight, Wells told the court, but construction on the city portion of the project should begin in mid 2023, possibly around July. There could be delays, he said, because of getting permits to use Entergy’s utility poles. Still, Wells said anyone wanting to sign up can do so by visiting SouthCentralConnect.net. There could be times when those visiting the site are told there’s no service in their area, but, he added, they shouldn’t get discouraged and keep trying because the situation changes constantly.

Farrell talked about pricing, telling the court upload and download speeds will be the same for each package. For 100 meg it will be $50 per month; 300 meg will be $65, 500 meg will be $0 and for a gigabyte it will be $100 a month. Farrell said the company also offers phone and television services with unlimited computer use.

Wells reminded the court Walnut Hill is working in the south part of the county and will get to the Willisville area before South Central can. In town, he said the company has less than 30 miles of cable to build, but there are a lot of factors where time is concerned, especially weather.

Nevada County Judge Mark Glass told the court the county has a new grader. It’s on a three-year lease from Caterpillar like the one destroyed by fire. He said the company requires it to be in the minutes for the lease agreement. The court approved putting it in the minutes.

Stacy Stone, county agent, said there will be a high-school judging contest on Feb. 6 and around 800 students from across the state are expected to show up. This is roughly the same amount as attended last year. He added the Extension Agency is also interviewing for a new 4-H person.

Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, told the court it’s been a busy holiday season, but most of the Chamber’s activities are done. She said the adopt a tree program went well with 36 children being adopted. She reminded the court of the community coffee at Farmer’s Bank earlier Tuesday morning and the upcoming retirement coffee Friday at the courthouse.

Nevada County Clerk Julie Oliver said the major change in the county general budget is the jump in insurance premiums, which are now $154 per person per month. Glass told the court he’s talked with the Hatcher Agency and it’ll shop around to find a better price, or negotiate with the current provider for lower costs on coverages.

Before the budget was approved, the court was informed no new vehicles were requested for the NCSO. Justice of the Peace Pat Grimes reminded the court it had agreed to give the Chamber $1,000 more and this needed to be in the budget. It was pointed out the county won’t be donating to Imagination Library any more and the funds will be available. The court amended the proposed budget to increase the amount the county provides to the Chamber from $5,000 to $6,000.

As the meeting came to a close, JP Willie Wilson presented JP Bob Cummings with a plaque for his 22 years of service on the court.