Council to consider annexation, police budget issue tonight

The Nevada City Council has a short agenda on tap for their meeting at 7 p.m. in council chambers in the Public Safety Building, 110 S. Ash.

The council will be considering an ordinance during tonight's meeting to set the date for the 2008 city council election. Because of changes in state law they are planning to move the date for a possible primary from the first Tuesday in March to Feb. 5, 2008, and to hold the general election on April 8, 2008.

The council also will be holding a public hearing and considering the annexation of a cul-de-sac in the Deer Run Subdivision.

In other business, the council will be holding the first reading of an ordinance to amend the 2007 Nevada Fiscal Budget so the Police Department can use a grant they have received to purchase equipment for the Nevada Homeland Security Response Team.

The council will also be holding the second readings of ordinances to update the testing procedures for master plumbers and electricians.

During a Sept. 4 meeting, the council voted in favor of the first reading of a general ordinance changing the city's current testing procedure for journeyman and master electricians and to approve contracting with the Prometric Company to conduct the testing for new electricians, as well as to increase the passing grade from 70 percent to 75 percent.

Ron Clow, community development director, said the increase in the testing score was at the request of area electricians and plumbers who want the city to be able to have reciprocal licensing with area towns. Most towns require 75 percent for a passing grade.

A similar measure was passed on first reading relating to testing and standards for plumbing contractors.