The Plumas County Board of Supervisors was poised Nov. 5 to commit up to $2.5 million toward rebuilding county facilities in Greenville destroyed in the 2021 Dixie Fire. But the supervisors delayed approving insurance or Pacific Gas and Electric Company settlement funds for either a public safety or town center project, both planned by the Indian Valley Community Services District.
Supervisor Jeff Engel launched the discussion with an immediate motion to approve a $1.5 million commitment to a public complex on State Route 89 near the Wolf Creek Bridge in Greenville. The funding, requested by the IVCSD, would help construct headquarters for the Indian Valley Fire Department, a Plumas County Sheriff’s Office substation and ambulance service quarters. Supervisor Kevin Goss seconded Engel’s motion.
Before approving any funds, the county needs a contract with IVCSD, said County Administrative Officer Debra Lucero. The supervisors also need to decide which pot of money to use, she said.
Supervisor Greg Hagwood said the board seems to have enough consensus to support participation in the project. “But I’m not comfortable committing that money without the details,” he added.
Goss, clearly frustrated, responded: “Then why bring it back to the board today?”
Public safety complex planning ‘well under way’
Plumas County lost three county-owned buildings Aug. 4, 2021, when the Dixie Fire overran Greenville: the townhall, library and sheriff’s substation. It has received over $4 million in insurance funding to replace them, Lucero said. The county also won $7.8 million in a settlement with PG&E. Of that, the supervisors have spent just $10,000.
The $1.5 million IVCSD is requesting would specifically fund construction of an 11,000-square-foot public safety complex, said Adam Cox, the district’s general manager. Planning for the $6 million project is 90% complete, he said.
Cox brought the funding proposal to the supervisors Oct. 15, submitting a letter of request recommending a memorandum of understanding between the county and IVCSD. But the supervisors postponed confirming the exact dollar amounts and the source of the funding to Nov. 5.
Cox said he did not hear from any county staff during the three-week delay. “I’m looking for a commitment to move forward,” he said Nov. 5.
Lucero said it would take time to develop a contract detailing how the funds would be spent. County staff have had the proposed drawings for “only a few months,” she said. Any agreement should also include a 30-year no-rent lease for the sheriff’s office, Lucero added.
Martee Graham, Plumas County auditor-controller, said funding approval would require budget appropriation.
I’m not going to rush it.”
Dwight Ceresola, Plumas County supervisor
Supervisor Dwight Ceresola supported the delay. “I understand you want to move fast,” he told Cox, “but when that happens mistakes are made… I’m not going to rush it.”
Ceresola said he would back a letter of support in the interim. When Supervisor Tom McGowan proposed that the board support allocating $1.5 million for the public safety project, Hagwood balked.
“That’s not the agenda item,” said Hagwood, who is responsible for approving the agenda. The agenda said “fund request… discussion and possible action.” Approval would require a four-fifths roll-call vote, according to the Nov. 5 agenda.
Goss withdrew his second to Engel’s motion. County staff should clearly be directed to identify where the $1.5 million would come from and “hammer out” the specifics of an agreement with IVCSD.
The supervisors agreed to consider the funding Dec. 17. “And that date is final,” Goss said.
Town center project less defined
The supervisors were even more reluctant to approve Cox’s other request: $1 million for a complex that would include a community meeting space with a stage and kitchen, replacing the county-owned town hall. It would also house the Greenville branch of the Plumas County Library. Both were destroyed by the Dixie Fire.
“This is a completely different kettle of fish. I have some grave concerns,” said Hagwood.
Lucero said county staff need more conversations with Cox about the possibility of housing offices for social services and behavioral health as well as a library. The relevant department heads have had only one meeting,” she said.
Cox said he has not developed concrete plans. “We are chasing a funding source on a tight timeline that will help determine how much and what we can build,” he said. A county commitment would allow him to design specific plans that would contribute to “construction documents.”
“It would be nice to have <county> support to include in the application.”
Adam Cox, Indian Valley Community Services District general manager
“It would create the synergy to seek matching dollars,” he said. The IVCSD plans to file a $20 million grant application. “It would be nice to have <county> support to include in the application,” Cox said.
Goss backed him: “This will have a huge impact on how the county recovers. Let’s at least start having the conversation.”
Lucero recommended that any funding the supervisors commit to the town center project should come from the county’s $4 million insurance settlement. “That’s what it’s for—rebuilding,” she said.
Goss suggested narrowing the focus of the town center project and bringing it back for board consideration Dec. 17 after extensive conversations with county staff. His motion was approved.
