With its 2027 Legislative Platform looming, Nevada County recently brought together local governments, public agencies, businesses, and community organizations to identify shared priorities and opportunities to pursue funding. County Public Information Officer Taylor Wolfe says the third Stakeholders meeting was an invitation to share the most pressing challenges and explore opportunities to work together to influence legislation at the State Capitol…

Wolfe says one example of the platform in action is the county’s support for NID’s grant application for replacing the Scotts Flat Dam spillway. Participants also discussed challenges rural communities face in securing state and federal funding, especially when funding formulas and regulatory requirements don’t account for the unique needs of smaller jurisdictions…

Other concerns brought up at the gathering included rising construction costs, unfunded state mandates, and impacts on rural hospitals from federal funding changes. It also provided an opportunity for organizations to highlight projects that could benefit from coordinated advocacy or additional funding. Projects ranged from courthouse redevelopment, workforce housing, interconnected trails, improvements to Highway 49, and expanded career technical education. County staff will use the information gathered to inform the 2027 Legislative Platform.