Supervisors Seek Outside Legal Advice on Alleged Conflict with Treasurer

QUINCY — The Plumas County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to engage outside legal counsel to assess whether a conflict of interest exists between the county and Treasurer-Tax Collector Julie White. Tuesday’s decision followed a discussion that was continued from the previous week’s meeting after the board decided that the matter had not been properly agendized to give members and the public adequate notice of what would be discussed.

The issue stems from a grievance a county employee filed against White concerning her “conduct and performance of official duties.” Details of the complaint are not available, as it is considered a confidential personnel matter.

White’s attorney, Christopher Bakes, argued in documents submitted to the board and in a presentation at Tuesday’s meeting that because the county has engaged an outside agent to investigate the grievance and report back to County Counsel, Joshua Brechtel, the county has opened a legal proceeding against White. The county has characterized the investigation as a routine fact-finding exercise. Bakes said the investigation and report create a conflict of interest between White and Brechtel, who would normally represent county officials in legal proceedings related to their duties. White’s submission asks the Board of Supervisors to recognize that a conflict of interest exists, authorize her to be represented by a private attorney, and to pay her attorney fees and costs. California law gives county officials the right to legal representation funded by the county in the event of a conflict of interest in matters related to the official’s duties.

Following Bakes’s presentation, Board Chair Mimi Hall said she didn’t know whether a conflict exists, but wanted to be advised by an independent attorney not involved in the matter—meaning neither Bakes nor Brechtel—in order to make a decision. Supervisor Kevin Goss agreed with the need for independent legal advice and said that obtaining that advice would also allow time for the grievance process to be concluded. The board voted unanimously to seek independent legal advice following a motion by Goss and a second by Supervisor Jeff Engel. In response to a question from Brechtel following the vote, Chairwoman Hall clarified that advice to the board would determine both whether a legal conflict exists and whether White is entitled to representation and legal fees.

A previous case in which White alleged a conflict of interest with county officials, including former County Administrative Officer Debra Lucero, former Human Resources Director Nancy Selvage and the County Counsel’s office, arose in 2023 and was settled in 2025 when the supervisors agreed to pay White’s claim for $175,000 in legal fees.

White has held the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office since 2011; she was re-elected without opposition four times, but lost her bid for another term to challenger Katharine Clift-Clubb in June. She will leave office in January 2027.