Plumas Supervisors Elect New Chair, Put Sales Tax Increase on June Ballot

QUINCY — The Plumas County Board of Supervisors began the new year on January 6 with the unanimous election of Supervisor Mimi Hall (Quincy) to serve as their Chair for the coming year. After assuming the Chair, Ms Hall thanked outgoing Chairman Kevin Goss (Greenville) for his leadership and mentoring, and expressed gratitude to the Board for its teamwork during the past year. Supervisor Goss was elected Vice Chair by unanimous vote following a nomination from Chairwoman Hall.

The Board also considered a pair of measures that will put a 1% increase in the county’s sales tax before voters in the June 2 election. Chairwoman Hall introduced the measures by explaining that the county must address a long-term structural budget deficit in order to maintain essential services.

According to a memo distributed with the meeting agenda, the county faces growing financial pressure due mainly to increasing pension and health insurance obligations and deferred maintenance of county infrastructure, while revenue from timber tax receipts is declining—partly as a result of recent forest fires—and federal and state funding is being cut back. The proposed tax increase is expected to raise about $3 million per year.

If adopted, the increase would bring Plumas County’s sales tax rate to 8.25% in parallel with Butte County and the City of Susanville, but it would remain lower than the rate in the cities of Chico, Nevada City, Grass Valley, and Truckee.

One member of the public expressed concern that sales taxes are regressive and disproportionately burden less affluent households. However, Supervisor Jeff Engel (Graeagle) said the impact is likely to be minimal because food and other essentials are exempt from sales tax; Chairwoman Hall added that visitors to the county are expected to contribute about half of the revenue from the increase.

Board members expressed support for the measure in discussion before the vote. Supervisor Goss said, “We have fallen behind...and this is a huge step forward.” Supervisor Engel said he wants to “keep Plumas County as cheap as we can,” but supports the increase to ensure 911 calls will be answered. Supervisor Dwight Ceresola (Sierra Valley) said simply, “Don’t like taxes, but this is needed.”

The measures were passed by unanimous vote and will be put to voters in June. The tax increase will only go into effect if it is approved by a majority of voters and would sunset after 12 years unless voters extend it at that time.