Plumas County Treasurer/Tax Collector Julie White has received formal approval from the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to invest county funds, a request she has made multiple times over the past three years. On June 3, the board unanimously passed Resolution 25-9021, which grants White the authority to manage investments until the end of 2025.
White’s office oversees cash management, investment, and safekeeping of all funds in the county treasury, operating through a county investment pool. Despite lacking official authorization, she has been managing these investments since 2022. Her long-standing requests for investment authority have faced delays, primarily due to past controversies regarding her management practices.
In 2023, White faced a disciplinary letter from the human resources department, leading her to hire an attorney. The board denied her requests for reimbursement of legal fees, which contributed to tensions with entities participating in the county investment pool. Complaints arose from organizations like Plumas County Tourism and Feather River College regarding delayed interest payments, leading to significant overdue amounts.
White has acknowledged errors in her management, attributing some issues to inadequate software and inter-departmental communication challenges. However, she expressed optimism about moving forward and emphasized the need for cooperation among county departments.
Auditor/Controller Martee Nieman supported granting White investment authority, highlighting the need for a responsible party to manage county investments. Supervisor Mimi Hall acknowledged the past delays but expressed a desire to focus on future progress.
While the board has granted White the authority to invest, discussions continue regarding the establishment of an investment policy and oversight committee, which were not addressed in the recent meeting. White is also awaiting resolution on her request for reimbursement of attorney fees, which remains unresolved as the county seeks a negotiated settlement.
