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A multi-million dollar priority traffic project is expected to get some funding, and the county could hire a lobbyist for a second straight year if county supervisors approve resolutions today at a special board meeting.
Federal funds totaling $735,000 have become available to the state for design costs of the Dorsey Drive interchange. The house and senate approved the money through a transportation, housing and urban development appropriations bill, said Doug Farrell, director of public works for the county.
"We just keep nibbling away at it," Dan Landon of the transportation commission said Monday.
So far, the county has secured $18.1 million in reserves through the state for the $34.6 million needed to complete the project, Landon said.
Of that, the state has authorized the county to spend $8.2 million for environmental review, right of way access and design.
"We are in the process of spending that money as quickly as we can," Landon said. The county's goal is to bid the project next year, but construction cannot begin until the county has secured viable funding streams to perform the work.
If passed, a sales tax measure for the November ballot, supported by former Grass Valley council members, would give the county a quicker avenue to finance the project and get it underway, Landon said.
First identified in 1984 as a $5.4 million project, escalating costs of materials and right of way acquisitions have dramatically driven up prices in recent years, Landon said.
Also at today's meeting, county supervisors are expected to approve a $36,000 contract with Peterson Consulting for State of California Legislative Advocacy Services.
It is the second year the county has hired a lobbyist to keep the county informed of legislation, advise supervisors to participate in state hearings and improve communication with state and county staff.
"It's mainly for us to have a voice in Sacramento," said Laura Matteson, assistant county executive officer.
Supervisors Nate Beason and Hank Weston recently spoke at state Senate committee hearings to voice concerns about fire bills that could affect the county.
Last year, advocates helped in the design and building options for a wastewater treatment plant in Cascade Shores.
"That saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars," Matteson said.
Federal funds totaling $735,000 have become available to the state for design costs of the Dorsey Drive interchange. The house and senate approved the money through a transportation, housing and urban development appropriations bill, said Doug Farrell, director of public works for the county.
"We just keep nibbling away at it," Dan Landon of the transportation commission said Monday.
So far, the county has secured $18.1 million in reserves through the state for the $34.6 million needed to complete the project, Landon said.
Of that, the state has authorized the county to spend $8.2 million for environmental review, right of way access and design.
"We are in the process of spending that money as quickly as we can," Landon said. The county's goal is to bid the project next year, but construction cannot begin until the county has secured viable funding streams to perform the work.
If passed, a sales tax measure for the November ballot, supported by former Grass Valley council members, would give the county a quicker avenue to finance the project and get it underway, Landon said.
First identified in 1984 as a $5.4 million project, escalating costs of materials and right of way acquisitions have dramatically driven up prices in recent years, Landon said.
Also at today's meeting, county supervisors are expected to approve a $36,000 contract with Peterson Consulting for State of California Legislative Advocacy Services.
It is the second year the county has hired a lobbyist to keep the county informed of legislation, advise supervisors to participate in state hearings and improve communication with state and county staff.
"It's mainly for us to have a voice in Sacramento," said Laura Matteson, assistant county executive officer.
Supervisors Nate Beason and Hank Weston recently spoke at state Senate committee hearings to voice concerns about fire bills that could affect the county.
Last year, advocates helped in the design and building options for a wastewater treatment plant in Cascade Shores.
"That saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars," Matteson said.
