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After public outcry on reassessments, Plumas County board directs counsel to study Prop 8/13 and possible payment deferments
Summary
Following widespread public concern about sharply higher property assessments, the board directed county counsel to review the law on Proposition 8 and Proposition 13, research legal pathways other counties have used for payment deferments, and return with policy and communication recommendations.
Plumas County supervisors on Feb. 11 directed county counsel to review state law governing property assessment (including Proposition 8 and Proposition 13) and to study whether legal mechanisms exist to defer or spread unexpectedly large assessment increases for affected property owners.
County staff said some parcels had not been individually revalued for years and many Prop 8 (decline-in-value) assessments were now being adjusted toward their factor base-year values after market recovery, producing large one-time increases for a subset of parcels. Mimi (county staff) told the board: “We take this issue very, very seriously,” and asked counsel to produce a legal analysis and follow-up plan.
Supervisors and several public commenters urged faster action. Board members added communications improvements — including rescinding an earlier policy that allowed notice only by online posting — and asked counsel to look at how other counties handled staggered payments or formal deferment programs. The board gave county counsel direction to coordinate with the assessor and tax collector and to return with a legal opinion, potential policy options (including deferment), and recommended communications for the next budget cycle.
The board approved the direction by unanimous voice vote and set follow-up briefing steps; staff said the legal review will address whether the board might act as the board of equalization in any required hearings and how to implement any payment schedules without violating state law.
