Following a public outcry over sharp increases in 2024 assessed property valuations, the Plumas County Board of Supervisors has rescinded a 2012 resolution that made it possible to adjust property values without notifying individual owners by mail. The 2012 resolution allowed the assessor’s office to announce changes solely by posting property values on the county website.
In the future, the assessor’s office is required to notify property owners by mail if the assessed value of their property increases significantly over the previous year. The assessor’s office will continue to post higher assessments on the Plumas County website, the supervisors decided.
Public response to property value increases
Appraisals in 2024 increased dramatically over the previous year on around 22% of the county’s 27,000 privately-owned parcels. The shock and subsequent rage was over the combination of higher taxes and notifications that came as a complete surprise. In most cases homeowners learned of tax increases as much as 70% just weeks before the payment deadline.
Citizens vented their frustration at three separate meetings in November and December 2024, and during the public comment period at every county board meeting since then. They packed the board room Jan. 21, leaving standing room only.
