Nevada County Honors Employee Service Milestones | Board of Supervisors

Nevada County Honors Employees for Decades of Service, Mourns Loss of Dedicated Colleague

February 10, 2026 – Nevada County’s Board of Supervisors yesterday recognized 112 employees for their collective 1,130 years of service to the county, celebrating milestones ranging from five to thirty-five years of dedication. The recognition took place during the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting.

The event also included a moving tribute to Crystal Clark, a Human Services Specialist who recently passed away after ten years of service. Rachel Peña, Director of Social Services, and Clark’s colleagues shared heartfelt memories of her commitment to the community and her positive spirit.

“We just wanted to take this time to offer our recognition of Crystal’s 10 years of service with us,” Peña said, according to a report from YubaNet. “Crystal was an absolutely beloved member of Social Services for 10 years. For over 10 years, she was a Nevada County Human Services Specialist. She dedicated herself to advocating for our most vulnerable residents. She was hilarious. For anybody who knew Crystal, she was brilliant. She was gorgeous. She was hilarious. She was a good friend. She was a strong advocate, and she cared so deeply for the people that she served and the people that we all serve.”

Peña recounted Clark’s willingness to volunteer and mentor new colleagues, recalling her guidance during Peña’s own onboarding. “She trained me coming in. She was the first person to volunteer for any sheltering events. My very first sheltering event, she was there volunteering, telling me where I should be, what I should be doing, and how to do it. I was so grateful for her guidance and just really want to say how deeply what a huge loss this is for all of us.”

Crystal Clark’s husband, Matt, accepted a certificate of recognition on her behalf. He expressed his gratitude for the impact the job had on his wife’s life. “I don’t really have anything prepared, I was just expecting to sit in the back, crying,” he said. “But I do know she loved this job. The people she worked with, she talked about you guys all the time. And she loved the people she helped, I think she liked that the best.”

The Board of Supervisors meeting also addressed other county matters, including a presentation from 211 Connecting Point, highlighting the organization’s role in supporting residents. The county is also operating a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, offering free tax preparation assistance for simple returns.

Looking ahead, the Nevada County Community Corrections Partnership is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, alongside a public meeting to discuss a Community Development Block Grant application. A Public Health Immunization Clinic is planned for Grass Valley on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and a meeting to discuss the Community Development Block Grant will also be held in Truckee on the same day.

The recognition of long-serving employees underscores the dedication of county staff to serving the Nevada County community. The loss of Crystal Clark serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact of public service.