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Board approves special assessment of roughly $68 for McCartney Road vacant lot after Fish and Wildlife search
Summary
Following a code-enforcement presentation and owner testimony, the board ordered a special-tax assessment and abatement lien for a vacant lot on McCartney Road; staff presented enforcement costs of $67.63 and 80¢ and indicated heavier penalties were avoided because Fish and Wildlife destroyed plants and the owner abated quickly.
The Yuba County Board of Supervisors on June 24 ordered a special tax assessment and recorded an abatement lien for enforcement costs related to a vacant lot on McCartney Road (APN 15390027).
Anthony Centillion of Code Enforcement presented the case, saying the file opened in October 2024 after a California Department of Fish and Wildlife search warrant uncovered more than 3,300 marijuana plants. Centillion said Fish and Wildlife destroyed the plants and that county staff later performed abatement and investigative work; staff time was recorded at roughly 8.5 hours and the enforcement cost presented to the board was stated as "$67.63 and 80¢." Centillion said penalties that could have accrued daily were not calculated because the owner cleared the property shortly after notice.
Property owner John Mitchell testified that he had leased the 19.5-acre parcel to another person, that he received the county's mailed notice late and had limited ability to respond earlier. Mitchell said he cleaned the property promptly when he learned of the issue and asked the board to dismiss the enforcement cost because he could not afford payment. Staff and board members responded that the listed charges represent staff time and statutory fees the county incurred and advised the owner that his recourse would be to pursue the tenant in civil court.
After discussion the board moved to adopt findings of fact, conclusions of law and orders as written, directing that the enforcement cost stated in the staff accounting ($67.63 and 80¢) be placed as a special tax assessment on the property tax roll and recorded as an abatement lien. The motion passed on a roll-call vote (four yes, one absent).
