About the Board of Supervisors

The Board structure is pursuant to General Code Section 25000 et seq., a General Law County.

Purpose

The Board of Supervisors is the legislative and executive body of county government and also serves as the governing body of the Nevada County Sanitation District No. 1 and the Nevada County Housing Authority. In addition, members of the Board represent the County on numerous intergovernmental bodies.

In its legislative duties the Board adopts ordinances, resolutions and rules within the limits prescribed by State law and is responsible for seeing that all federal and state-mandated functions are properly discharged.


Responsibilities

As an executive body, the Board:

  • Approves contracts for public improvement projects and other specialized services
  • Conducts public hearings on matters such as zoning appeals and planning issues
  • Creates offices, boards and commissions as needed, appointing members and fixing the terms of office
  • Determines annual budget allocation
  • Directs an annual audit of all County accounts, books, and records
  • Exercises executive authority for the provision of local government services to county residents including:
    • Health and welfare programs
    • Jail facilities / law enforcement
    • Public defense
    • Roads
  • Provides for the compensation of all County officials and employees
  • Provides policy direction to the County Executive Officer for the operation and administration of County departments

Legislative & Executive Activities

Legislative and executive activities of the Board are performed at public meetings. Meetings are conducted in accordance with the Board's Order and Decorum statement (PDF). Certain personnel and legal matters are discussed in closed sessions.


Member Information

The five members of the Board are elected on a non-partisan basis to serve four-year terms. Each is elected from one of the five supervisorial districts of the county. Supervisors from Districts 3 and 4 are elected in gubernatorial election years (1994, 1998, etc) while supervisors from Districts 1, 2 and 5 are elected in presidential election years (1996, 2000, etc.). District boundaries are adjusted after every federal census to equalize district population as closely as possible.

Consistent with California Government Code Sections 25020 and 25020.1, or as amended, selection of the Chair and the Vice Chair will be by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors. Leadership will reflect the will of the majority. The Chair will not serve consecutive terms unless all other supervisors decline to serve as Chair (January 7, 2003).