Local Politics · Nevada County
The Nevada Irrigation District Board will meet Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 9 a.m. in Grass Valley to finalize and approve its 2027 annual budget. The proposed budget projects $135.1 million in revenue against $143.7 million in expenditures, drawing down the fund balance by $8.6 million. A previously approved 9% rate increase for customers takes effect closer to January 1 following an August announcement. The proposal eliminates two positions—Senior Park Ranger and Senior Storekeeper—in local NID recreation areas, reducing full-time equivalents from 199 to 197.
Local Politics · Nevada County
On Friday, Oct. 23, the U.S. Department of Justice hand-delivered a demand letter to Nevada County Elections requesting investigation of 10 names flagged as "likely non-citizens" and that any ballots from those individuals be set aside. Registrar of Voters Armando Salud-Ambriz confirmed the list was reviewed and stated the office is correctly following all applicable state and federal laws. The county is preparing a formal response in consultation with county counsel and guidance from the California Secretary of State's Office. Voting is underway for the Nov. 3 General Election, with polling locations available at NevadaCountyCa.gov/votehere.
Local Politics · Nevada County
At a Friday community forum at Sierra College, Nevada City City Manager Carrie Wright and Grass Valley City Manager Alex Gammelgard addressed parking, water rates, homelessness, and police leadership. Gammelgard reported that paid parking implemented in July at the South Church Street and Union Square lots reduced peak capacity from 100% to about 80-85%, with kiosk transactions rising from 668 in July to roughly 2,100 daily by September. Wright indicated Nevada City may raise parking rates from $0.50 to $1.00 per hour and is issuing an RFP for a broader parking management program. On water, Wright described the Proposition 218 rate-increase process approved at the October 15 council meeting, noting the average monthly impact was about $31. Both managers discussed homelessness as a symptom of underlying issues including substance abuse and mental illness, with Wright citing a countywide drop in reported homeless from 516 to approximately 394.
