Board of Supervisors Responses to the 2000-2001 Nevada County Civil Grand Jury

Truckee. The passage of County Measure B, the one-eighth of one percent sales tax, in 1998, has 2. resulted in the collection of approximately $900,000 per year, which is about half of the total operating revenue for the libraries. This tax expires on October 31, 2003. At present, there is no identified replacement source of funds for Measure B.

The Grand Jury recommends that all necessary preliminary work accompany the grant application for Proposition 14 funds. RESPONSES REQUIRED Nevada County Board of Supervisors, due August 9, 2001 Nevada County Librarian, due July 10, 2001 RESPONSES . COUNTY OF NEVADA sec. JUL 2 6 2001 STATE OF CALIFORNIA 950 Maidu Avenue • Nevada City • California 95959-8617 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Peter Van Zant, 1st District Telephone: (530) 265-1480 Sue Horne, 2nd District Fax: (530) 265-1234 Bruce Conklin, 3rd District Toll-Free Telephone: (888) 785-1480 Elizabeth Martin, 4th District Barbara Green, 5th District E-Mail: [email protected] Website: http://boardclerk.co.nevada.ca.us Cathy R. Thompson Clerk of the Board July 24, 2001 The Honorable Kathleen Butz Presiding Judge of the Nevada County Courts Nevada County Court House Nevada City CA 95959 Subject: Board of Supervisors Responses to the 2000-2001 Nevada County Civil Grand Jury Interim Report No. 11, dated May 11, 2001 regarding the Nevada County Libraries. Dear Judge Butz: The attached responses by the Board of Supervisors to the 2000-2001 Nevada County Civil Grand Jury Interim Report No. 11, dated May 11, 2001, are submitted as required by California Penal Code §933. These responses to the Grand Jury's findings and recommendations were approved by the Board of Supervisors at their regular meeting on July 24, 2001. Responses to findings and recommendations are based on either personal knowledge, examination of official county records, review of the response by the County Librarian, or testimony from the Board chair and county staff members. The Board of Supervisors would like to thank the members of the 2000-2001 Grand Jury for their participation and effort in preparing this Interim report. Sincerely. Elizabeth J. Martin Chair of the Board, Attachment ejm:pjw:pb Foreman, Grand Jury cc: Ted Gaebler, County Administrator County Counsel County Librarian NEVADA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESPONSES TO 2000-2001 CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT NO. DATED MAY 9, 2001 RE: NEVADA COUNTY LIBRARIES Responses to findings and recommendations are based on either personal knowledge, examination of official county records, review of the response by the County Librarian or testimony from the board chairman and county staff members. GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION: I. Nevada County Libraries A. RESPONSE TO FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Findings: The Nevada County Libraries are the Madelyn Helling, Grass Valley, Foley Historical 1. and Truckee. Agree The passage of County Measure B, the one-eighth of one percent sales tax, in 1998, has 2. resulted in the collection of approximately $900,000 per year, which is about half of the total operating revenue for the libraries. Agree This tax expires on October 31, 2003. • Disagree. Measure B will expire on September 30, 2003. At present, there is no identified replacement source of funds for Measure B Agree Measure B money has funded major increases in hours of operation, circulation, staff, and number and quality of adults' and children's programs. Among the special programs introduced is the free literacy service open to all ages. Agree Ward/other/gj0001-IR11-Library The number of library volunteers has increased to 238 who contribute approximately 35,000 hours per year. Agree State Proposition 14, the Library Bond Act, which passed in March 2000, provides for 3. more than $350 million for construction and expansion of libraries. The Nevada County Library plans to apply for a grant when monies become available in 2002. Agree Preparations for submitting a grant application in 2002 have already begun. A joint effort between the County Librarian, the County Facilities Project Manager. the City Administrators of Grass Valley and Truckee, school district officials, Truckee Recreation and Park District, Sierra College, the Friends of the Libraries, and other interested citizens to develop a facilities expansion proposal is presently Consultants will be hired to prepare various reports needed to underway. accompany the grant application and FREED will be involved to ensure compliance with ADA requirements. The County Librarian will also be directly involved in the process of selecting and hiring an architectural firm to oversee the design of the facility expansion proposal. The Board has approved a conceptual proposal for increasing the capacity of the Truckee Library and will support submission of a grant request for Proposition 14 funds to be used for this purpose. Grant money will be used to increase the capacities of the Grass Valley and Truckee Libraries. Agree The Board has approved the conceptual submission of a grant to increase the capacity of the Truckee Library but has not formally done so for the Grass Valley Library.

than $350 million for construction and expansion of libraries. The Nevada County Library plans to apply for a grant when monies become available in 2002.

Springs Middle School in Penn Valley as well as an additional branch in North San Juan. CONCLUSIONS 1. If no new funding source is found when Measure B expires, the gains of the last two years would be lost, resulting in drastically reduced services. In order to receive consideration, grant applications for construction projects must include 2. preliminary plans, specifications and costs.