Supes approve excess proceeds
The Lake County Board of Supervisors held their weekly meeting on Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Lakeport Chambers and also online via Zoom. The board heard an overview of the 2050 general plan and local area plan updates, as well as the discussion of excess proceeds from County Tax Collector Patrick Sullivan.
Sullivan and assistant tax collector Elizabeth Martinez presented the department's findings from their May 22, 2022, tax lien default sale, which totaled 1,346,589.30, for distribution to the general fund. Martinez expressed that these funds were deemed excess funds as the sale of the property exceeds the amount of tax default owed to the county.
There was further discussion regarding the claims from interested parties against the sold properties, and the strict processes involved in payment in these situations. “Some of the issues that have come up with HOAs (home owners associations) and private agencies is that they're not filing liens, in order for these excess proceeds to be claimed they have to have a lien recorded prior to the sale.” Sullivan expanded on this issue stating, “I think sometimes people think what they have done is enough but it isn't.” A public comment came from Angela Ehron from Double Eagle Ranch HOA in Spring Valley who feels the hurdles to repayment are too harsh and are currently leaving their association lacking over $4,000. The board approved the distribution of funds.
Community Development Director Mireya Turner introduced Tonya Sundberg and Jacqueline Protsman Rohr from Placeworks, the company working with the county on the 2050
general plan and area plan updates. The two provided comprehensive updates as to each town's current area plan as well as an environmental review and preparation of a climate adaptation plan.
Sundberg shared, “The general plan is often referred to as the constitution that guides land use and development in a jurisdiction.” She further explained,
“The plan will lay out a community identified vision for the future and then it presents policies, goals and actions to support the jurisdiction in achieving that vision.” State law requires it addresses the following topics: Land use, open space, circulation, housing, conservation, safety, noise, and environmental justice. Protsman Rohr focused on updating the health and safety element which includes an emergency operations plan, a local hazard mitigation plan, a climate adaptation plan, and a community wildfire protection plan. These plans involve a number of processes including assessments and reviews like the California Environmental Quality Act review. According to Sundberg this a three year process beginning right now with community engagement and continuing through Fall of 2026. In order to gather as much data as possible, the county has partnered with Americorps and other organizations to facilitate community meetings, events, and canvassing the community. Turner encouraged the public to participate in these meetings or reach out via email to lakecounty2050@lakecountyca.gov or on the website lakecounty2050.org.
Supervisors expressed some concern, with District 1 Supervisor Mike Simon noting “Cultural resources is something I think that's missing in there.” Turner replied “We want to make sure we have input from all of our community members, that includes people who are affiliated or live on sovereign ground.” District 3 Supervisor Eddie Crandell asked about tribal representation in these committees, with Turner responding with a preview of next week's agenda item asking the board to consider the creation of eight local area plan advisory committees which purpose would be to “drill down on the community specific, what I think of as the nuts and bolts, where the community growth boundary will go, that sort of thing.” The board thanked them for their presentation and will hear that item next week.