Supervisor District 4

District 4 includes the communities of Lake Wildwood, North San Juan, Penn Valley, Rough and Ready, Spenceville, unincorporated areas along Highway 20, south down to the Perimeter Road area, and the McCourtney Road / Retrac Way area.

Supervisor Sue Hoek

District 4 is represented by Supervisor Sue Hoek, who began her first term in January of 2019 and served as chair in 2022.

Learn more about Supervisor Hoek

View a list of District 4 Supervisors, from 1856 to the present.

Committees & Commissions

Member:

Alternate:

Supervisor Hoek's Priorities

Each year, the Board of Supervisors adopts a set of objectives to guide county operations, programs, and services. Learn more about Supervisor Hoek's work on these and other priorities below.

Agriculture

Green icon with seedling graphic representing agriculture in Nevada CountyPromote and protect the agricultural industry within Nevada County.



Learn more:

  • In 2021 Nevada County updated the “Right to Farm” ordinance. This ordinance is a renewed commitment by the County to enhance and encourage agricultural operations within the county.
  • The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office produced the 2020 Annual Crop and Livestock Report. Direction was given to include cannabis as a supplemental report for next year's crop report, as allowed by Senate Bill 659 (2019).
  • Focus on land use issues affecting agriculture such as water, drought, and fire preparedness. Using the County’s General Plan document to help guide the county on long-term policy decisions. 
  • Work with local partners in agriculture including Ag Commissioner’s Office, Ag Advisory Commission, Farm Bureau, UC Cooperative Extension and local law enforcement (Sheriff’s Office) and fire (CAL FIRE) to create a livestock access pass for commercial livestock operators. This pass potentially allows commercial livestock operators the ability to access areas under evacuation in order to care for their animals.
  • Attention to zoning and preservation of ag land.

Emergency Preparedness

Ready Nevada County logoLead the community in all-hazards planning, preparedness, response, and recovery with a focus on wildfire; engage residents in emergency preparedness; create more defensible space around properties and roadways; and mitigate the impact of Public Safety Power Shutoff events.

Learn more:

  • Prioritizing roadside vegetation maintenance along evacuation routes. Annually, Public Works brushes approximately 50-70 miles and mows an estimated 40-50 miles (approximately 10 feet from the shoulder) of its 560 miles of County-maintained roadways. This maintenance cycle is completed every 8-10 years and is funded by gas-tax, vehicle license fee, and grants. See this map which shows progress on this project. 
  • I supported opening up North San Juan's community center as warming/cooling center and community resource center during Public Safety Power Shutoff events. The Penn Valley Library his also being used as a cooling center when necessary.
  • I support the numerous fire safe communities in District 4 from North San Juan to South County.
  • District 4 benefits from strong coordination and collaboration between its three fire districts (North San Juan, Penn Valley, and Rough and Ready) and CAL FIRE. Through a cooperative agreement, the CAL FIRE Grass Valley Emergency Command Center (GVECC) provides regional fire and medical dispatch services to Western Nevada County fire agencies.  Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) technology installed in CAL FIRE resources integrates with GVECC’s Computer Aided Dispatch program, providing for the dispatch of the closest available resources for a rapid response and aggressive fire attack.  Through cooperation and unified command with local fire and law enforcement agencies, 98.2% of the 55 vegetation fires that took place in District 4 in 2021 never grew beyond ten acres, exceeding CAL FIRE’s mission to contain 95% of all fires at ten acres or less.
  • Looking at making updates to the County's Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance in February-March of 2022.

Housing

Icon of a simple white house on a blue backgroundCoordinate with local jurisdictions, developers, and other partners to facilitate the development of and access to affordable and workforce housing development.


Learn more:

  • I'm so pleased to serve on the Regional Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners where we work to enhance communities by creating and sustaining decent, safe and affordable living environments that foster stability and increase self-sufficiency for people with lower incomes. The RHA was a critical partner in two affordable housing developments in Penn Valley: Lone Oak Senior Apartments and Courtyard at Penn Valley Apartments.
  • I support Hospitality House in their mission to to bring homeless people in Nevada County into a circle of community caring that offers shelter, sustenance, medical care, advocacy, opportunity, dignity, and hope as we assist them in transitioning from homelessness to housing.

Libraries

Icon showing a person reading against a dark green backgroundProvide District 4 with a comfortable and safe environment to pursue reading, access information, explore cultural opportunities, and build community connections. District 4 is unique in that it is served by the County-run Penn Valley Library and the community-supported San Juan Ridge Community Library.    

Learn more:

  • The Penn Valley Library, which opened in 2002, is the newest branch of the Nevada County Community Library system. This branch operates in the Lake Wildwood Shopping Center on Pleasant Valley Road across from the main entrance to Lake Wildwood.
  • In January 2021, the library moved to a larger location in the same shopping center, doubling in size to over 2,100 square feet.  The new location offers outdoor patio seating, a community meeting room, and an area for children to enjoy story time. This library location also serves as a cooling center during the hottest days of the year.

First Five

First FivePromote the importance of early childhood by investing in complex systems of care, empowering families, and strengthening the community.


Highlights from 2020-2021:

  • Over 740 children and over 350 parents were served through supportive services such as Family Resource Centers, Parenting Workshops, Early Childhood Behavioral Health Services, and developmental screenings.
  • Over 350 children and 140 parents were served through early education opportunities and quality child care providers.
  • Over 300 children and parents were served through home visiting services.
  • Commission staff participated in 2 formal Community Collaboratives and 3 additional COVID-related collaborative efforts centered around providing quality child care to families, coordinating home visitation services, and the development of a child abuse prevention plan that crosses sectors and public/private organizations.


What's Happening in District 4

Community Partners

Penn Valley Area Municipal Advisory Council

The Penn Valley Area Municipal Advisory Council  is a formal council established for the sole purpose of advising the District IV Supervisor, the Planning Department and Board of Supervisors on development and land use issues that are located within District IV boundaries and within either the Western Gateway Parks and Recreation District or the Penn Valley Fire District.

District 4 News

Subscribe to the District 4 newsletter for information and updates on Supervisor Hoek's work.

  1. BenefitsCal

    Don’t Miss Out on Medi-Cal Renewal – TAKE ACTION

    All Medi-Cal renewals are waived until the end of the Public Health Emergency, which be on February 28, 2023. Please report any changes in your contact information so you don't miss important details about your Medi-Cal coverage. Learn More
  2. Top Priorities in 2023

    Each year, the Board of Supervisors identifies our top priorities – our “objectives” – during the Board’s January workshop. These objectives aim to address community challenges, help prioritize staff time and resources, and guide the development of... Learn More
  3. Broadband stock photo

    Nevada County Awarded $497,799 Grant for High-Speed Internet Expansion

    The grant will provide broadband network design and engineering throughout rural Nevada County, accelerating the construction of fiber-to-the-home and business networks to unserved communities over the next few years. Learn More
  4. Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan

    Nevada County Embarks on First-Ever Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan

    Nevada County is embarking on the development of a countywide Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan. The plan is a first for Nevada County, it's a first for California to integrate solutions for adapting to extreme weather and planning for recreation. Learn More
  5. Citizens Academy NewsFlash
  6. Transit Nevada County Connects Free Fare - NewsFlash

    Nevada County Connects Celebrates 12 Days of Free Transit Fares

    Celebrate the 12 days of Holiday Cheer as Nevada County Connects offers free fares on all routes from December 17th until the end of the year! It’s our gift to you for the holidays. Learn More
  7. Emergency Call Box

    Big Wins for the South Yuba River

    This fall, we celebrated the five-year anniversary of the South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort (known as “the Cohort”), a roundtable discussion group led by myself and District 1 Supervisor Heidi Hall, and... Learn More
  8. Funding Wins

    $6.6M in Federal Funding Awarded to Public Safety Projects in Nevada County

    Back in the spring of 2021, as Congress was starting to put together its proposed budget for FY22, they announced that they were bringing back federal “earmarks” – a portion of the federal budget that is set aside for... Learn More
  9. Cold Weather Shelter_NewsFlash

    Nevada County and Sierra Roots Open Cold Weather Emergency Shelter

    The National Weather Service predicts significantly COLD weather Thursday night through Saturday morning. Considering the weather prediction, Sierra Roots and the County are activating the Cold Weather Shelter Protocol Thursday and Friday nights. Learn More
  10. NewsFlash (2)

    Christmas Tree Permits in Tahoe and Plumas National Forest

    How do you reduce wildfire risk and increase holiday cheer? By obtaining a Christmas Tree Permit, of course! Removing small-diameter trees from selected areas reduces wildfire risk by reducing over-growth, particularly among firs. Learn More
  11. Nevada County Voters Choose Not to Adopt Measure V

    Nevada County Voters Choose Not to Adopt Measure V

    On November 8th, Nevada County voters opted not to approve Measure V, the “Wildfire Prevention, Emergency Services and Disaster Readiness” measure. Learn More
  12. Cold Weather Shelter_NewsFlash

    Nevada County and Sierra Roots Open Cold Weather Emergency Shelter

    The National Weather Service predicts significantly COLD weather Thursday night through Saturday morning. Considering the weather prediction, Sierra Roots and the County are activating the Cold Weather Shelter Protocol Thursday and Friday nights. Learn More
  13. Micro-Grants to Local Firewise Communities

    Five Micro-Grants Awarded to Firewise Communities in District 4

    The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) recently awarded a number of micro-grants to support recognized Firewise Communities in reducing wildfire risk. Congratulations to District 4, which was awarded five of these micro-grants. Learn More
  14. Ballot Initiative

    Disaster Prevention on the Ballot

    As wildfires become more frequent and more destructive, heat events become increasingly common, and climate uncertainties mean more risk of droughts, floods, and extreme weather events, Nevada County is residents and leaders are seeking... Learn More
  15. Brunswick Commons Rsign with the building in the background

    New Affordable Housing Development Completed

    We recently celebrated the completion of Brunswick Commons, a multi-family housing community overlooking Brunswick Basin in Grass Valley that will provide 41 units of affordable housing to homeless or at-risk individuals. The development includes... Learn More
  16. Prop 68 State of California Parks and Water bond 2018

    Big Win for Western Gateway Regional Park

    Western Gateway Recreation & Park District will receive $1,144,634 through the California State Parks’ Rural Recreation and Tourism Program for new recreation opportunities that support economic, tourism, and health-related goals. Learn More
  17. Yuba River Cohort-20220816-1055

    South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort Celebrates 5 Years

    The South Yuba River Public Safety Cohort, a multi-agency work group amongst its members as “The Cohort,” recently celebrated five years of meeting monthly to coordinate public safety efforts in the Yuba River corridor. Learn More
  18. Feinstein Staff Tour-20220810-1325

    Sen. Feinstein Staff Visit and Tour The Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone

    Representatives from Senator Feinstein's office took a tour of the project, and a bigger picture look at plans to keep our community safe. Learn More
  19. Brunswick Commons Rsign with the building in the background

    Nevada County Officials Celebrate Completion of Brunswick Commons

    Nevada County celebrated the completion of the newly constructed Brunswick Commons housing development Monday, August 22. The project will provide 41 units of affordable housing to homeless or at-risk of homelessness individuals. Learn More
  20. 2022 Mid-Year Board Objectives

    Mid-Year Report Card – How We’re Doing on our 2022 Board Objectives

    At the end of each quarter, the County reports out on how we’re doing on the board of supervisors’ annual objectives that we set at the beginning of the year. I’m pleased to offer you this summary of our mid-year report card. Learn More
  21. 2022 Nevada County Fair

    It's Almost Fair Time!

    The 2022 Nevada County Fair – themed, “Who Let the Hogs Out?” – will run from August 10 through 14. The fair is an iconic Nevada County event that celebrates so much of what defines this community. Learn More
  22. Join a committee or commission

    Get Involved in your County Government

    We are seeking to fill numerous vacancies on county committees and commissions, including the Adult and Family Services Commission, the Assessment Appeals Board, and the Child Care Coordinating Council. Keep reading to find out how you can get involved. Learn More
  23. River Ambassadors

    River Ambassadors Needed for the 2022 River Season

    The South Yuba River Citizen’s League (SYRCL) is seeking 70 volunteer River Ambassadors to help educate river visitors between May 27 and September 5. Each year, over 800,000 people visit the Yuba River, many without a basic understanding of parking... Learn More
  24. Burn Ban

    Burn Ban in the South Yuba River Corridor

    In September 2018, the Board adopted Urgency Ordinance 2454 adding Article 6 of Chapter XVI to the Nevada County Land Use and Development Code prohibiting outdoor burning on private property in the South Yuba River Wild and Scenic corridor. Learn More
  25. Volunteering

    Volunteering

    Did you know there are many fun and rewarding opportunities to get involved in your community? In a smaller community like ours, volunteers are the lifeblood of important projects and events that simply wouldn’t happen without them. Learn More
  26. Lone Oak Apartments
  27. River Ambassador with Bandana 2021
  28. Truck Bed Liner Temperature on a Hot Day
  29. RSG Handbook Cover