Nevada County Weighs Funding for $135 Million in Projects

NEVADA CITY — On Friday, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting to explore financing options for 36 county projects. These initiatives, in various stages of planning and implementation, carry a total estimated cost of $135 million. The projects focus on building maintenance, staff space needs, infrastructure improvements, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), safety enhancements, and transitioning to electric vehicles. Funding will come from multiple sources, including grants, municipal bonds—loans issued by local governments to finance public projects—and the county’s general fund.

The Nevada County Animal Shelter is nearing the end of its design and budgeting phase for a building upgrade or replacement. With a budget of $20 million, the project is set to go out to bid later this year and is expected to be completed by 2028.

Another key project involves constructing an indoor firing range for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Erin Mettler, Deputy County Executive Officer and Chief Fiscal Officer, says, “Our deputies are currently traveling very far away to be able to qualify for a firearms rating. So having an indoor, in-county facility would be advantageous to us all.” A feasibility study has been completed, and efforts to secure funding are underway. The range carries a $15 million budget, with completion projected for 2028, and can tap into special revenue funds and federal allocations.

The Sheriff’s Office is also converting the county’s former juvenile hall into a regional dispatch and training facility. Estimated at $8 million, the renovation is in the feasibility study stage and is slated for completion in 2030.

The Wayne Brown Correctional Facility Remodel and Medical Expansion stands out as the most costly project discussed. The new medical wing is budgeted at $20 million, with an additional $10 million allocated for overdue maintenance, such as plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, siding, and ADA upgrades. Currently in development, the project’s cost may shift as details are finalized. Completion is anticipated by 2030.

Another proposal, the Summit Maintenance and Storage Facility, would provide space to store snow removal and other equipment. The county currently rents a private garage for $30,000 per year. Still in early planning, the facility is expected to cost between $2 million and $3 million and be finished by 2029. The county’s general fund will cover its funding.

Friday’s meeting highlighted only a few major projects, but other efforts push the total proposed spending well above $100 million. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the county forecasts $104 million in general fund revenue and nearly matching expenditures, leaving little room for additional debt. Adjustments to the budget will be necessary if the board opts to borrow funds for these projects.

The board showed a cautious approach to finances. Chair Heidi Hall asked Erin Mettler, “So we’re going to be putting money into these projects, looking at the designs and getting them ready in case we go out to bond next year. That could be a considerable amount of money. Have you thought about putting some of them on hold until we know what’s going onin October?” Mettler replied that staff could review project scopes before hiring external architects or engineers. However, “We don’t want to stop moving forward,” says Mettler. “These issues aren’t going to go away; these needs are not going to magically disappear.”