The March 5 primary election not only offers a pair of competitive races for Board of Supervisors, but residents of each of the Twin Cities will make the decision whether to raise their sales tax to fund what proponents deem necessary wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts.
In 2022, Nevada County voters rejected a county wide ballot measure — Measure V — to fund similar work.
Much of the opposition in that election surrounded the decision to pursue a general tax, requiring of a simple majority of voters and resulting in monies generated directed to the county’s general fund for “general uses.”
Funding raised from a special tax, for specific stated purposes, can only be used for those purposes and must receive two-thirds approval of voters to pass.
Both Grass Valley and Nevada City are asking voters to increase local sales taxes to fund the work, with Grass Valley choosing to pursue a general tax and Nevada City placing a special tax before voters.
The following ballot measures, originally posted at the Nevada County elections website, poses these questions directly to the voters on March 5:
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY (MEASURE B)
“Shall the measure for general governmental uses such as reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire and extreme weather by funding additional firefighters, vegetation management, and emergency evacuation planning by adopting a general, 3/8-cent (0.375%) sales tax raising about $3.4 million yearly, with yearly audits and a citizens’ oversight committee, effective for 7 years unless voters end it sooner, be adopted?”
To view the full resolution for Measure A, please click this link:
https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/51858/City-of-Grass-Valley-Reso-2023-62-Measure-B
CITY OF NEVADA CITY (MEASURE C)
“Exclusively to fund a locally controlled Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Program that includes the reduction of flammable vegetation throughout Nevada City; the improvement and maintenance of emergency communications/early warning system, evacuation routes, and temporary refuge areas; the implementation of community oriented defensible space practices; and other activities and services; shall the measure adding a 0.5% Nevada City sales tax, providing approximately $900,000 annually over a five year period, monitored by a Citizen’s Oversight Committee, be adopted?”
To view the full resolution for Measure A, please click this link: https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/51859/Nevada-City-Reso-2023-48-Measure-C
Helpful links – TheUnion.com
Proposed ⅜ percent Grass Valley sales tax on March ballot
Nevada City ready to put 0.5% special tax measure on the ballot