The County of Nevada Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted their 2021 Board Objectives at the February 23 Board Meeting. The Board Objectives for 2021, listed below, include fiscal stability and core services, emergency preparedness including wildfire and public safety power shutoffs, economic development, affordable and workforce housing, cannabis, and homelessness.
Board priorities aim to address community challenges and are used for the management of County operations, programs, and services and support the 2021/2022 budget development process. Each year, the Board of Supervisors identifies their annual priorities in January during the Board Workshop, this year held virtually due to COVID-19 workplace guidelines.
"This year our community has faced unbelievable challenges making it all the more important to have a strong, clear set of objectives," said Board of Supervisors Chair Dan Miller. “Nevada County really does set the standard for rural counties on how we come to these decisions. It's a pleasure to be a part of Nevada County.”
"We appreciate the business and community partners who shared insights over the year to guide us on these unanimously approved priorities," added Vice-Chair Sue Hoek.
"I appreciate the unanimous and clear direction from the Supervisors and look forward to working with staff and our community partners on the 2021 policy objectives," said County Executive Officer Alison Lehman. "As we emerge from the pandemic, a unified community strategy has never been more important."
2021 Board Objectives
Fiscal Stability
Maintain the County’s financial stability and core services.
Emergency Preparedness
Lead the community in all hazards planning, preparedness, response, and recovery with a focus on wildfire. Do this by focusing on improving countywide evacuation safety, continuing to strengthen early alert and warning systems; creating more defensible space around properties and roadways, engaging residents in emergency preparedness and fire-safe land stewardship, leading the community in recovery from Federally declared disasters and by mitigating the impact of Public Safety Power Shutoff Events.
Economic Development
Focus on a post-pandemic economic recovery strategy emphasizing resiliency and entrepreneurship; retaining and attracting high quality jobs; investing in major infrastructure projects; and working in partnership with our municipalities to support our small business and tourism sectors.
Broadband
Equitably expand broadband to support economic development, distance-learning, telework, telemedicine, and general quality of life for all residents by championing the implementation of Nevada County Broadband Strategy Plan policies and last-mile infrastructure projects.
Cannabis
Maintain and continue to improve the cannabis permitting and enforcement program to promote permitted cannabis activities while investigating options for additional license types related to larger cultivation area and micro-businesses.
Housing
Coordinate with local jurisdictions, developers and other partners to facilitate development of and access to affordable and workforce housing development.
Homelessness
In partnership with community providers and other jurisdictions, utilize housing first and continue efforts to prevent homelessness, provide emergency shelter, expand supportive services, secure housing, and enhance coordination to address the needs of the homeless population and to mitigate impacts on the community.
Find the adopted 2021 Board Objectives and quarterly Board Objective reports on our website at www.mynevadacounty.com/boardobjectives.