Supervisors approve $18M psychiatric facility, broadband, park fees

Meeting in Truckee on Tuesday, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a slate of actions headlined by a nearly $18 million contract to design and build a local inpatient psychiatric facility, along with new park impact fees, broadband grants, and upgrades to EV charging and airport infrastructure.

Behavioral health: New inpatient facility and hospital services

The Board authorized a contract with Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc. to design and build an inpatient psychiatric facility for Nevada County residents in an amount up to $17,970,738, for work through June 30, 2027. County behavioral health leaders say adding local inpatient capacity aims to reduce long-distance placements and speed treatment for residents in crisis.

Supervisors also renewed a separate contract with Adventist Health St. Helena for acute psychiatric inpatient hospitalization services, not to exceed $150,000 through June 30, 2027.

Child welfare and jail communications

For Child Welfare Services, the Board rescinded a prior approval and adopted a revised renewal contract with Common Purpose for drug testing and treatment services, capping costs at $270,000 through June 30, 2027.

In the jail system, supervisors approved Amendment No. 3 with Telmate, LLC to continue phone, tablet, and video visitation services for incarcerated individuals through June 30, 2027, while amending phone rates. The Sheriff’s Office says the changes continue access to communication while updating the rate structure.

Youth detention bed access

To ensure space for local youth needing detention, the Board approved continued use of the Placer County Juvenile Detention Facility and authorized $185,000 for Fiscal Year 2025–26. A separate amendment with Sonoma County allows additional bed access not to exceed $56,500 through June 30, 2026.

Planning change: Longer tentative map approvals

Supervisors adopted an ordinance extending the initial approval period for tentative subdivision maps from 36 to 48 months, aligning county code with the State Subdivision Map Act. The change gives developers and project applicants an extra year before approvals expire.

Transportation: Road striping, transit funding and Route 5

The Board awarded the 2025 Western Nevada County Annual Striping Project to Traffic Limited for $112,577.89. Transit staff were authorized to apply for $695,391 in Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 funds for rural transit operations. Supervisors also approved the annual agreement with Placer County for Nevada County Connects Route 5 service for the upcoming fiscal year.

Broadband expansion and EV charging buildout

Supervisors advanced multiple broadband efforts. A budget amendment of $378,426 was approved to support contracts with Oasis Broadband. The County also approved a $389,000 Last-Mile Broadband Grant Program award with AT&T and directed the Auditor-Controller to release $221,574 from the Board Priorities Assignment and $167,426 from the General Fund’s unassigned balance. Both budget actions required (and received) a four-fifths vote.

To expand electric vehicle infrastructure, the Board approved a contract with DKS Associates to design EV charging stations and infrastructure improvements at up to 15 county facilities and the Gold Country Senior Services Center in Grass Valley. The contract totals $486,045 with a 10% contingency, not to exceed $534,650, and includes a related capital budget amendment that also required a four-fifths vote.

Airport improvements funded by federal grants

Two Federal Aviation Administration grants were accepted for Nevada County Airport projects: a $265,653 Airport Improvement Program grant for taxilane reconstruction (Ramp 4, Stage 1) and a $516,296 Airport Infrastructure Grant for additional Ramp 4 work, crack repair, and access road reconstruction.

Parks: Truckee-Donner Quimby fees adopted

After a scheduled 11 a.m. hearing, supervisors adopted the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park Quimby Land Dedication and In-Lieu Fee Study and revised fees under Government Code 66477 and Nevada County Code. The update is intended to ensure new development contributes fair-share funding or land for parks in the Truckee-Donner area.

Wildfire resilience and outdoor recreation alignment

The Board adopted “California’s Joint Strategy for Sustainable Outdoor Recreation & Wildfire Resilience,” a policy alignment measure co-sponsored by Supervisors Heidi Hall and Hardy Bullock. In separate informational items, the Office of Emergency Services and the U.S. Forest Service briefed the Board on hazardous vegetation mitigation efforts in Eastern Nevada County, and the Community Development Agency provided an update on local recreation initiatives.

Law enforcement and land use actions

The Sheriff’s Office renewed its agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide law enforcement services at Englebright Lake, with up to $22,569.80 in reimbursement for the first year. Public Works received authorization to abandon a 50-foot road right-of-way on parcels in District 1.

Recognitions, history, and arts

District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock presented a certificate recognizing Dan Wilkins for nearly 28 years of service to the Town of Truckee, including as Director of Public Works/Town Engineer since 2001.

Supervisors designated the Mount Lola 1870s U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Remnants near Independence Lake as Nevada County Historical Landmark NEV 25-07. The Board also accepted Nevada County Arts Council’s nomination of Karen Terrey as the County’s fourth Poet Laureate.

Closed sessions and other actions

In closed session, the Board discussed existing litigation with Sacramento Valley Limited Partnership (doing business as Verizon Wireless) and real property negotiations for 135 East Empire Street, Grass Valley. Staff reported that information was provided and direction given.

Additional consent items included accepting multiple sets of Board minutes, adopting an amended 2025 meeting calendar, and accepting a resignation from the Nevada Cemetery District board.

Public comment and attendance

The meeting convened at 9 a.m. at Truckee Town Hall’s Council Chambers with all five Supervisors present. Public comment was received on matters not on the agenda.

Most actions, unless otherwise indicated, passed unanimously.

Learn more: https://nevco.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=8185