The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office is once again turning to voters to secure funding for critical emergency services through a proposed special tax measure. The measure, set to appear on the November ballot, asks, “Shall a measure authorizing the County of Plumas to impose a special transaction and use tax in the total amount of three-fourths percent (3/4%) to be used solely for the purpose of providing the citizens in Plumas County Public Safety Services through the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office be approved?”
Earlier this year, a similar proposal—Measure A—was put before voters in March but failed to pass by a narrow margin. The community’s concerns, raised during that election, prompted the Sheriff’s Office to seek public input to craft a revised resolution. This new measure aims to address the specific issues that led to the defeat of the previous proposal.
Sheriff Todd Johns addressed several concerns raised during the August 6th Plumas Board of Supervisors meeting. He explained that 20% of the funds will be allocated to a subaccount specifically for critical infrastructure and fire-related needs. Additionally, he clarified that the civilian review board’s selection process and responsibilities would be detailed if the measure passed, and ized that the funds would not be used for deputy wages.
Johns went on to add that the passage of the special tax would help establish a resident deputy post in communities currently lacking dedicated law enforcement, such as the Lake Almanor Basin. This move would improve response times and increase the overall safety of these underserved areas.
Johns made it clear his role is to provide the facts of the proposed measure to the board and voters of Plumas County and does not offer either support or opposition.
The Board of Supervisors, requiring a 4/5th majority vote to proceed, approved placing the revised measure on the November ballot. Now, it will be up to the voters to decide whether to support or oppose the special tax.
