Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

JPs talk library funding, economics, walking trail

Local economic development efforts and the status of the librarys budget were two of the top items discussed by members of the Nevada County Quorum Court during the June 12 meeting.

The county collects a millage on property tax that is designated to the support of the Prescott Nevada County Library. Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown said the total cost of operation for the library - minus the millage - was $42,000. The City of Prescott has now payed $37,000 to the county for the operation. Brown said that leaves about $5,000. He said the library board has met regarding the issue and that one of the board members pledged to talk to the Friends of the Library regarding the possibility of helping cover the remaining balance.

The city has pledged $40,000 for the library for 2006. Brown said that plus the income from the millage will cover the operating expenses, if the library stays within the budget submitted.

Justice of the Peace Arval Mason questioned the citys payment for the current year.

This is the sixth month of 2006, Mason said.

Its being taken care of, Brown responded.

Mason said he just wants the city to meet its obligation.

JPs were given the opportunity to talk to librarian Joyce Gibson. Gibson said she was comfortable with the budget shed submitted, but said the rising costs of electricity and other costs are always a concern.

Regarding economic development, Donnie Crain, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, told members of the quorum court that the Johnson/Hale Walking Trail off Highway 67 at the north edge of town is now in the final phases of completion. The project has been plagued by rainy weather this spring, but Crain reported that the asphalting was slated to be complete by June 13. Work on the lights, benches and landscaping are scheduled for the next few weeks.

Crain said the parking lot will also be paved as part of the project, though that hadnt originally been the plan. He said his office had joined forces with the city and found some money to get the paving done.

In other economic development news, Crain said his office has worked with the city of Rosston to apply for a grant for a walking trail around the Rosston City Hall. A previous grant was denied for that project.

Crain said his office is currently regrouping following the second Trade Days event in the downtown area, held on June 10. He said there was a smaller turnout for this event, and that area merchants had reported mixed reactions regarding the sales during the event.

Crain said there were other things happening in the community during that weekend, and said the competition could have been the deciding factor. He said he and the Nevada County Partnership staff are looking at ways to generate more interest for the next Trade Days, set for July 8.

That meeting was the last Crain will attend before reporting for active duty. Hell start training in early July in preparation for deployment to the Middle East. Crain told members of the court that the plan is to hire someone for the EDO and to shift some duties to Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Godwin.

Were working on plans to be sure things dont skip a beat while Im gone, Crain said.

He said he also hopes to stay as involved as possible via Internet during his deployment so that he can hit the ground running upon his return.