Treasurer-Elect Questions Plumas Supervisors’ Oversight of Tax Office

QUINCY – Speaking during the public comment period of the September 1 meeting of the Plumas County Board of Supervisors, the incoming Treasurer-Tax Collector-Elect, Katharine Clift Clubb, aired concerns about the operation of the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office (TTCO) under the current Treasurer-Tax Collector, Julie White.

Clubb, a long-term staff member of the TTCO, alleged that Julie White has not been present in the office since June. She said that she and one other employee have been staffing the office alone, and from their perspective White “is not performing the duties of the office.” She cited concerns, which began before June, that emails and phone calls are going unanswered, meetings are not attended, and financial reports have not been submitted. She asked Supervisors what the Board has done to “determine whether the Treasurer-Tax Collector is performing the duties of her elected office.”

Clubb, who defeated White in the June election, said that she was speaking out of concern for TTCO employees and the taxpayers they serve, as well as to ensure there is a “functioning office and a smooth transition” when she assumes leadership of the TTCO in January.

The TTCO closed unexpectedly for a period in June, during which time its functions were handled by the Auditor-Controller’s office. Plumas County Administrative Officer Dan Pargee said at the time that the closure was due to staff leaves and White’s attendance at a conference. Although the office later reopened, the county has authorized White to work from home, and Board of Supervisors Chair Mimi Hall said she is staffing the department remotely, according to earlier reporting by the Plumas Sun.

When contacted by the Mountain Messenger, Chairwoman Hall said that the county is “fully aware of concerns about operations of the TTCO” and is doing all it can within its legal authority to ensure that essential functions are carried out.

Hall explained that California law gives elected officials like the Treasurer-Tax Collector substantial independence, so the Board of Supervisors does not have supervisory authority over their work and cannot manage their work schedules. Such officials can be removed from office through a recall vote, but county boards cannot legally terminate them, Hall said.

Pargee meets regularly with White, County Auditor Martee Nieman, and TTCO staff to ensure the department’s functions are maintained, Chairwoman Hall said. The county has also moved to reinforce the department’s staffing by hiring a retired individual with extensive experience and opening recruitment for a long-vacant position.

Chairwoman Hall added that the Board’s apparent “silence” on the matter “isn’t because we don’t know or care, but because we are bound to protect the privacy of individuals.”

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to incorporate a statement from Chairwoman Mimi Hall received after publication.