Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council Updated on Annexation

The Prescott City Council heard a brief update on two projects during its meeting Monday night at Prescott City Hall.

Mayor Howard Taylor introduced Jim Sharkey, executive director of the Nevada County Economic Development Office, to the council.

Sharkey told the council he is working with three commercial entitites who are looking at properties at Interstate 30 exits 44 and 46.

All the properties are inside proposed annexation areas currently underway by the City of Prescott.

He said all is going well with the prospects and he has been in contact and received information from former economic director Gene Monk.

Realtor Janice Walker told the council she has worked with several prospects at two properties on exit 46. Her office, Walker Realty in Hope, has had property listed for several years, including some owned by the brothers Pat and Steve Hale.

She said several prospects have looked at the property through the years, but she has been unable to close any deals due to a lack of city water and sewer in the area.

In addition to the annexation of the area, the city is working on a rural water project for the north end of the county.

Walker said one of the prospects has gone as far as working on the title aspect of the deal, though she did not elaborate on who the interested company is.

It has been reported a large truck stop is planning to build at exit 44 -- which may employ about 100 people -- though an official announcment has not taken place.

Council members approved ordinances Monday which officially enters into an interlocal agreement between the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and the city for a combined radio dispatcher/jailers jobs.

The city will pay $12,009 for four radio dispatchers, $5,000 for a part-time dispatcher and all taxes for these employees as part of the contract.

While the move is not only an effort to save money for the two goverments, Taylor said it should improve the quality of service offered to the residents of the county including those in the city limits.

The council agreed to allow Taylor to negotiate on Arkla property near Walnut Street in Prescott.

The property has been offered to the city for $16,000 and includes a fenced yard and several buildings.

The group also heard a proposal from Toby Rowe concerning creating a Soil Conservation budget for the city. A committee was appointed to examine the proposal in more detail.

Rowe's request was similar to one made last week to JPs at the quorum court meeting.

The county soil office wants to purchase the building it currently occupies and rent out the other two offices.

By keeping the county office open, maps useful (and often required) in timber planting, drainage slopes and industrial recruiting would stay locally instead being placed in a Hope office.