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, the Nevada County Housing Authority, and the Nevada County Water Agency. 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.

As an executive body, the Board:

Determines annual budget allocation

Approves contracts for public improvement projects and other specialized services

Conducts public hearings on matters such as zoning appeals and planning issues

Provides for the compensation of all County officials and employees

Creates offices, boards and commissions as needed, appointing members and fixing the terms of office.

Directs an annual audit of all County accounts, books, and records

Provides policy direction to the County Administrator for the operation and administration of County departments.

Exercises executive authority for the provision of local government services to County residents including:

* Roads
* Voter registration
* Health and Welfare programs
* Courts
* District Attorney
* Public Defender
* Jail facilities
* Recording of official documents
* Fire and police protection in unincorporated areas.

Legislative and executive activities of the Board are performed at public meetings. Certain personnel and legal matters are discussed in closed sessions.

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 District 3 and 4 are elected in gubernatorial election years (1994, 1998, etc) while supervisors from Districts 1, 2 and 5 are elected in presidential years (1996, 2000, etc.). District boundaries are adjusted after every federal census to equalize district population as closely as possible.

The selection of Chair and Vice Chair will be by rotation of districts. The current Vice Chair will move to Chair. The new Vice Chair will be selected from the next district in the rotation. Districts will rotate sequentially by number. The Chair will not serve consecutive terms unless all other Supervisors decline to serve as Chair. (1/ 14/02)