Nevada County’s annual Board of Supervisors workshop remains a repetitive, executive-controlled exercise that perpetuates vague, unending objectives instead of delivering focused, measurable results, and until the Board adopts a few clear, countywide priorities with real accountability and shared responsibility, this process will stay disconnected from the community’s pressing needs.

Supervisor Robb Tucker cast the only dissenting vote on a $415.5 million county budget—a budget that exceeds projected revenues by approximately $24 million.

As the Nevada County Board of Supervisors considers a proposed $415.5 million budget for FY 2025–26, it is our civic duty to confront a troubling truth: this budget is not balanced, and pretending otherwise puts our county’s financial credibility at serious risk.

Governor Newsom has released his budget for the upcoming fiscal year with $321.9 billion of total spending. This constitutes budget growth of over $100 billion since 2019-20 at the beginning of his term.

Nevada County stands at a critical fiscal crossroads. As labor costs continue to rise, state and federal funding declines, and essential services come under increasing pressure, it is time to face the uncomfortable truth: Nevada County residents are paying twice for leadership—and getting half the results.

The County’s budget totals $388 million, with 45.8%—or $167 million—sourced from federal and state intergovernmental funds. This revenue supports 908 full-time equivalent positions delivering essential services, but recent federal actions threaten this pipeline, prompting urgent advocacy by the Board. Nevada County’s complete reliance on federal funding for these services amplifies the stakes. Discretionary revenues offer little buffer against cuts to the $167 million in federal and state aid while losing tax-exempt municipal bonds could cripple infrastructure funding tied to salaries.