Board authorizes start of $10M+ tax roll correction process after winery audit

The Napa County Board of Supervisors on May 20 authorized the auditor-controller to begin processing roll corrections after an assessor’s audit identified more than $10 million in unreported business property at a large winery.

Assessor John Tudor told the board the case involves business equipment — primarily tanks — that were reported or processed incorrectly after the county moved from paper to electronic filings. “In my 39th year, this is the largest one we’ve brought to you,” Tudor said, adding, “my job is to locate and value all property in Napa County.” He described the board’s vote as the start of a process, not a final determination.

Tudor and staff said the item stems from the assessor’s legally required audit program, which examines business property reporting and can go back four years. County staff…