In Support of Plumas County’s Measure B

Public safety has always been one of my highest priorities and one of the main reasons I decided to run for supervisor over 10 years ago. A few years ago, I supported Measure A because I believed it was important to provide dedicated funding for the Sheriff’s department, dispatch, staffing, equipment, and emergency response services to help keep Plumas County safe. Today, Plumas County continues facing many of the same financial challenges, along with new ones. The devastating Dixie Fire resulted in the loss of homes, businesses, and loss of property tax revenue, particularly in the Greenville area.

At the same time, inflation, rising operational costs, minimum wage increases, and growing unfunded state mandates continue placing additional pressure on county government and local services. Temporary federal and state funds received during the pandemic and wildfire recovery helped stabilize county operations for a period of time, but those one-time dollars are disappearing while long-term financial challenges remain. The reality is that rural counties like Plumas County are being asked to do more with Less every year.

That is why Measure B is now being brought forward for voters to consider.

Measure B is a proposed 1% sales tax increase that would go into the County General Fund to help maintain essential county services and protect the long-term financial stability of Plumas County.

Measure B would support the services that residents depend on every day, including public safety, emergency services, libraries, senior nutrition and transportation programs, county facilities, parks, the fairgrounds, and other critical county operations funded through the General Fund.

I understand nobody likes being asked to support a tax increase, including me, and I certainly respect the concerns families have as everyday costs continue rising. I also know we must be honest about the financial realities facing our county.

Without stable local funding, we are honestly risking reductions in services that will directly impact the quality of life and safety in our communities.

Measure B is structured with fairness in mind. Essential purchases like groceries and medications remain exempt, and the 1% tax increase will be shared, not only by county residents, but also by visitors and tourists who shop and recreate here. Even with the proposed increase, Plumas County’s sales tax rate remains competitive with surrounding areas where many residents already shop.

At the end of the day, this is about local control, fiscal responsibility, and protecting the services our residents rely on every day. My commitment has always been to do my homework, ask the hard questions, and make decisions based on what I believe is in the best long-term interest of Plumas County and the people who call it home.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please give me a call or email me.

I’d Sure Appreciate A Yes Vote on Measure B.