Plumas County has incurred over $512,000 in fines, fees, and penalties over a five-year period ending in December 2024, primarily due to missed deadlines and billing errors. This figure, derived from a public records request by Rick Foster, a Quincy resident and public watchdog, highlights concerns about financial management within the county.
Foster’s inquiry began in October 2024 when he requested a report from the county treasurer/tax collector regarding all fees and penalties since January 2020. His follow-up request to all county departments revealed that 17 out of 21 departments found no relevant records. However, five departments disclosed a total of $512,326 in payments:
- Assessor: $358,979
- Treasurer/Tax Collector: $88,267
- Public Health: $55,831
- Behavioral Health: $9,108
- Museum: $139
The largest payment came from the Assessor’s office, which included a significant correction to a corporate property tax bill. Foster expressed concern over the lack of public notification regarding such substantial expenditures.
The Treasurer/Tax Collector’s office reported that part of their penalties included reimbursing Feather River College for late interest payments related to the county’s investment pool. Public Health had to return funds to the California Health Department due to a lack of tracking for a federal grant, while Behavioral Health reported late utility payments. The Museum’s penalties were minor late fees for utility bills.
Foster has urged the Board of Supervisors to regularly review these expenditures, emphasizing that the public should be informed about how public funds are used. He believes greater public engagement in government decisions is essential for accountability and transparency.
