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Plumas County planning staff details $26M-plus in Dixie Fire recovery spending and outlines next steps for housing and infrastructure
Summary
Planning staff updated the commission on Dixie Fire long-term recovery: more than $26 million has been distributed for business and infrastructure recovery, the county is weighing PG&E settlement priorities, and multiple housing programs (down-payment assistance, microenterprise grants, home hardening, and sheriff’s substation) are underway with further policy decisions expected from the Board of Supervisors.
Planning staff gave the Plumas County Planning Commission a data-heavy briefing on long-term recovery from the 2021 Dixie Fire, outlining grants and projects the county has administered and the decisions still pending at the Board of Supervisors.
The presentation, led by county staff who said grant manager Zachary Gately provided much of the material, listed roughly $1.5 million in direct business relief through ARPA and related programs and described a separate for‑profit Dixie Fire recovery grant of $567,500 awarded in 2024. Staff summarized a microenterprise Business Assistance and Recovery Grant program totaling $409,462 and said the county expects funding agreements to be executed shortly so checks can be cut through the county auditor.
Staff told commissioners that the county also is managing insurance proceeds and a PG&E settlement. ‘‘The board of supervisors is in discussions about whether to workshop policy priorities for that PG&E money,’’ planning staff said, noting the board has not yet adopted formal allocation rules. The presentation stated the county’s total recovery-related spending and commitments exceed $26 million when business grants and infrastructure are combined, and that about $10.9 million from the PG&E settlement remains part of that larger recovery portfolio.
Among projects described was a proposed $1 million down‑payment assistance program (with $200,000 earmarked for administration and $800,000 for direct assistance) that staff said was discussed by the Plumas Housing Council and may require the board to earmark PG&E settlement funds. Staff said the county is seeking additional information before making decisions and may pursue a joint workshop with the board to establish priorities.
Staff also reviewed specific capital and recovery projects: ARPA‑funded broadband reprogramming to regional chambers and a digital equity award of $46,867.86 to the county library; an Indian Valley Community Services District safety center and sheriff’s substation, now moving through a special-use-permit process; and continued work on a multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan that will allow special districts to apply directly for FEMA funding.
On housing, staff reported home‑hardening grants increased from $50,000 to $75,000 and the county expects to fund roughly 19 homes in the program; single‑family rebuild assistance caps were described as up to $500,000 per eligible home with area median income limits. Staff acknowledged FEMA and state processes are in play and that some federal grant outcomes remain pending.
Why it matters: County officials said routine requests for recovery funding have arrived without a single governing policy; staff urged the Board of Supervisors to adopt allocation priorities so projects and programs can be implemented predictably. The commission was told to expect more details at future meetings as staff pursues grant agreements and as the board considers policy direction on PG&E settlement dollars.
What’s next: Staff said they will continue working with consultants and the board to finalize funding agreements and to bring specific allocation recommendations forward. The county also plans public outreach on programs such as the proposed down‑payment assistance and a March housing‑element workshop during the public review period.
