Plumas Supes Approve Radio Upgrade, Discuss Sales Tax, Hear Brown Act Updates

QUINCY — The Plumas County Board of Supervisors, meeting January 20, voted unanimously to approve a $1.6 million capital improvement project that will update radio systems used by the Sheriff’s Office and integrate emergency communication between Plumas and Lassen Counties. Funds for the project will come from state and federal sources, rather than from the county’s general fund. Sheriff Chad Hermann explained that integration between the counties will ensure that communication is maintained in the event one county’s system goes down.

In a related measure, the Board sent an official request for the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to provide updated boundaries for the county’s emergency response districts. Responsibility for emergencies in some parts of the county has changed due to recent consolidations of local fire districts, so accurate boundaries are needed to ensure 911 calls are routed to the right agency.

County Counsel Joshua Brechtel informed the Supervisors and the public that last year the state legislature enacted multiple amendments to the Ralph M. Brown Act, the open meetings law that sets requirements for meetings of local boards and legislative bodies. He said that many of the amendments concern procedures for online meetings, but some apply only to counties and cities with more than 30,000 residents. A summary of the changes was provided with the agenda packet and is available online (https://www.bwslaw.com/insights/burke-brown-act-compilation-2026). Brechtel said he would provide more information at a future meeting.

Board Chairwoman Mimi Hall presented a draft statement on the county’s proposed 1% sales tax measure to be included in the printed Voter’s Guide for the June election. Chairwoman Hall explained that the Board can educate and inform the public about the need for the tax increase, but cannot use public funds to campaign for it. Several members of the public suggested changes to the text. However, County Counsel Brechtel and Registrar of Voters Marcy DeMartile said that only minor changes are possible at this stage, because the statement is limited to 300 words and must be submitted by January 21.