Increases in Plumas County property assessments continued to concern the Plumas County Board of Supervisors on January 14, as citizens raised complaints about significant increases. In 2024, property valuations rose by as much as 70% compared to the previous year, affecting approximately 22% of the county’s 27,000 privately owned parcels. This led to objections at board meetings in November and December. Although no discussion was scheduled for the supervisors’ January 14 meeting, several community members addressed the issue during the public comment period. Janet Crain, a Meadow Valley resident, questioned when the supervisors would resolve these issues, pointing out that “the holiday is over.”
Crain specifically requested the rescinding of Plumas County code 619, a resolution from 2012 that permits the county assessor to announce significant property assessment increases on the county website, exempting the office from notifying homeowners individually by mail. This resolution, approved unanimously by Plumas supervisors in 2012, allowed Assessor Cynthia Froggatt to post changes online instead of mailing notifications, becoming a point of contention.
Interim Plumas County Counsel John Brechtel stated that the decision not to mail individual letters does not violate county or state laws, and the assessor’s office is in compliance with county codes. However, the current board of supervisors generally agreed that website postings do not adequately inform the public. At their December 3 meeting, Supervisor Dwight Ceresola instructed county staff to draft a resolution to rescind the 2012 resolution and present it to the board for action. This did not occur on January 14, but Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Goss indicated it would be discussed at the January 21 meeting.
Julie White, the county treasurer and tax collector, expressed approval, noting that her office has been overwhelmed by complaints from taxpayers facing higher taxes due to increased property values. She emphasized the need for a policy to prevent such issues in the future. The assessor’s office website now features a prominent link to a form for property owners to appeal their assessments.