Despite claims of rampant growth by some in Nevada County, Grass Valley grew by 14 new residents and Nevada City gained 17 last year, said Grass Valley Vice Mayor Lisa Swarthout, citing figures from the state Department of Finance.

In unincorporated areas, 130 people moved away.

Swarthout was one of four local representatives speaking Friday at the annual 2008 State of the County, Cities and Town - a meeting packed with local dignitaries at the Holiday Inn Express.

Joining the conversation were District 5 County Supervisor Ted Owens, Nevada City Councilwoman Barbara Coffman and Truckee Mayor Barbara Green.

All touted balanced budgets and echoed economic development strategies, including sustainable practices as a means to save money, during a time when property tax revenue is slowing.

Nevada County is projecting property tax revenue growth to drop to 5.5 percent this year from 7 percent last year, Owens said. But, he assured listeners the county had ample reserves to get through the next few years.

Another sign of slowing growth has appeared in the downsizing of four proposed developments, known as special development areas, from 4,000 homes a few years ago to 1,000 residences sought in revised applications this year, Swarthout said.

"If you talk to some people, they say growth is rampant right now," Swarthout said.

The release of population and development figures comes after a group called Friends of Grass Valley gathered 874 signatures this week in their effort to put the Managed Growth Initiative on November's ballot.

If approved, the initiative would give voters power to decide on the scope of future development projects that exceed the city's 2020 general plan.

Swarthout, who opposes the initiative, argued it could hurt developers who can't afford campaigning for a project. She named BriarPatch and Wolf Creek Co-housing as examples of developments that could have suffered if the initiative were in place.

"The people who spend the most money win," she said.

A sales tax measure to help pay for the Dorsey Drive interchange, a project intended to relieve Grass Valley's traffic congestion, could also make November's ballot, she said.

"That could potentially make the ballot, if the timing is right," Swarthout said after the meeting. So far, design for the project is half-way complete and the bidding process is scheduled to begin in August 2009.

Grass Valley also is close to making a deal with the developer of a senior housing project that could include a home for the Gold Country Community Center, Swarthout said.

On the opposite end of the county, Truckee is seeing a higher rate of growth with 264 new residents last year and proposals for a number of large luxury hotels and housing developments.

But a downturn is coming, with growth in property tax revenue in Truckee expected to slow from 12 percent last year to 6.6 percent next year, said Truckee Mayor Barbara Green.

"Growth - is it too much or not enough? Depends on who you ask," Green said.