The Plumas County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to address concerns over significant increases in property assessments by the county’s assessor’s office. In a meeting on February 11, the board directed Interim County Counsel Josh Brechtel to review state laws regarding property value adjustments and to explore the possibility of deferring tax payments. This initiative follows months of public outcry from property owners facing unexpectedly high assessments.
Supervisor Mimi Hall emphasized the importance of complying with state laws and suggested that an overview analysis of the assessment process could improve county operations. The board’s recent actions include rescinding a 2012 resolution that allowed property value adjustments without notifying owners by mail, now requiring such notifications.
County Assessor Cynthia Froggatt explained that many properties had not been reassessed annually to reflect market values, leading to the recent dramatic increases. About 4,500 parcels fall under Proposition 8, which adjusts assessments to market values, with 40% experiencing value jumps.
Supervisor Tom McGowan expressed the board’s commitment to finding solutions for property owners affected by the increases. The board aims to have a policy in place by May’s budget hearings to coordinate efforts with the assessor’s office and the treasurer/tax collector’s office.
