Nevada County Supervisors Tackle Arts, Funding, and Community Legacy

NEVADA CITY — The Nevada County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday to conduct county business. The following were among the items discussed during the day’s session.

Rotary Club Celebrates 100 Years

Supervisor Lisa Swarthout presented a Certificate of Recognition on Tuesday to the Rotary Club of Grass Valley, which is celebrating 100 years as an organization. Since 1925, the club has been involved in wide-ranging charitable efforts, including providing financial support for children’s medical care and surgeries, donating to charity organizations, contributing to World War II efforts such as by organizing blood drives and collecting scrap metal, and participating in Rotary International’s global initiatives.

Nevada County Supervisors shared admiration for the organization, and several had personal connections. District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock is a long-time “Rotarian” and emphasized the dedication members have to public service and fulfilling the club’s motto of “Service Above Self.” District 2 Supervisor Robb Tucker added that his father was also a Rotarian and that the Rotary Club is a “home away from home” that reinforces community ties.

Board Supports Preservation of Nevada City Miner’s Foundry

After financial challenges became apparent in February, the non-profit operating the Miner’s Foundry in Nevada City is looking to sell its building to the city. In a proposal, the city would buy the Foundry for $1 and continue its regular operation. The city would also look to place the building on the National Register of Historic Places. The city has already entered a short-term lease while negotiations are ongoing.

Nevada City Manager Sean Grayson explained that the city would also acquire all the Foundry’s liabilities. “The City will absorb all of the employees... and they’ll become City employees... they’ll all receive a relatively small raise, a 5% raise,” said Sean. “Our intent really is to preserve that building, honor the mission of the foundry... and then to add public value through things like recreation, youth, seniors, and unheard voices programming,” he added.

On Tuesday, Nevada County affirmed its support of the city’s takeover of the building. Because the county was named as a beneficiary of the Nevada County Cultural Preservation Trust, which owns the Foundry, the county must agree to dissolve the trust. “What you have before you is a very simple nuts and bolts sort of thing... if you have a beneficiary, you have to give that up so that we can take over,” said Nevada City Council Member Lou Ceci.

County Supervisors voiced their support for the city takeover, with Supervisor Swarthout saying, “This is city government at its best... you have stepped up.” A Memorandum of Understanding was passed unanimously.

Resolution Passed Advocating for Core Services Federal Funding

The Nevada County Supervisors passed a resolution urging the protection of local county services and increased advocacy on behalf of county government at the federal level. It identifies services, including infrastructure, public health, mental health, and social services, as fundamental to the county’s mission and at risk due to potential changes in federal funding sources and staff reductions in federal agencies.

While the resolution has little immediate effect on Nevada County residents, the county is likely to increase communication with federal offices, such as that of Representative Kevin Kiley, concerning the on-the-ground impacts of decisions made in Washington. The resolution explicitly opposes cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It justifies that opposition by stating that 29,546 Nevada County Residents receive some type of public assistance, which is nearly 30% of the county’s population.

Supervisor Tucker gave remarks opposing the resolution, saying, “I feel like we’re kind of attacking the chemotherapy instead of the cancer,” clarifying that the cancer is the $37 trillion national debt and $3 billion per day interest payments. Tucker felt that many federal programs were not sustainable in their current forms and that, furthermore, the ordinance brought a federal issue into a local jurisdiction. Still, Tucker said that the text of the bill made sense to him and that the team that drafted the resolution did a good job incorporating the different viewpoints of the five supervisors.

The sole public comment on the resolution came from District 1 resident Michael Taylor, who felt it was unnecessarily partisan and might cause an increase in tax dollars spent on lobbying. The resolution was passed with four Yes votes and one Abstain from Supervisor Tucker.

Nevada County Arts Council Presents 5-Year Action Plan

Executive Director Eliza Tudor and new Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Program Manager Gianna Arbex presented “Culture Forward,” a five-year strategic Arts and Cultural Action Plan to shape the future of arts, culture, and creativity across Nevada County. The plan builds on the county’s state-recognized Cultural Districts, Truckee and Grass Valley-Nevada City. Tudor says that designation gives the organization “a competitive edge for grant funding and fundraising.”

The Arts Council’s most recent economic impact study showed $66 million in the arts and cultural sector during 2023, which supported nearly 1,500 jobs, brought $39.4 million in personal income to residents, and generated $13.2 million in tax revenue. However, “Enthusiasm for in-person events post-COVID has quickly waned, and our struggling venues now report fluctuating attendance and smaller group events,” says Tudor.

Last year, the Council worked with design consultancy firm Scansion, which found that Nevada County Cultural Districts are within an hour’s drive for over 1.5 million people. Tudor says that data will inform their efforts to build interest in the arts, including through regional marketing efforts.

Supervisors supported the Arts Council and its efforts to preserve Cultural Districts in the county. Supervisor Swarthout recognized the significance of having the districts in all three of the county’s incorporated areas, saying, “Not just one, but three. And you know, most rural communities have none. So… keep up the good work.”