Questions arise over proposed levee fees
An assessment on property owners in Sutter and Butte counties to pay for better levees received a flood of interest Wednesday evening as those who will decide the assessment's fate came to an open house with questions, and comments.
"I think we need to do it, and we're stupid if we don't," said Jay Stemley, a north Yuba City resident who attended the informational hearing. "And down the road, this will help our property values."
With ballots set to hit mailboxes within days, the Sutter-Butte Flood Control Agency had the first of six Sutter County open houses to lay out the assessment's details, but had to stop short of advocacy.
Those attending — largely older residents — could find out what their assessment would be, their potential flood risks are and other details. If the assessment is approved, property owners will pay varying amounts on their annual property tax bill for 33 years to upgrade levees along 44 miles of the Feather River.
Assessment amounts vary widely based on factors including the size of the property, what it's being used for, and how much benefit it'll receive from improved levees. Residential properties could have assessments of $18 to $265 annually.
Agency officials have said there's a two-fold urgency to get such an assessment in place: The prospect of missing out on state dollars covering as much as 71 percent of the total price tag, and a re-mapping process by FEMA that could send flood insurance rates soaring if the region is found to have substandard flood protection because the levees aren't adequate.
But some were skeptical. Bob Renton, a Live Oak resident, said the assessment would have more support if the flood-control plan included river dredging.
"I know it'll never happen because of the environmentalists," Renton said. He was leaning toward voting against the assessment because he believed levee work would cost more than the assessment would raise.
"I'm afraid it'll get half done and they'll come to us for more money," Renton said, adding he wasn't worried about the flood insurance aspect because he owns his property with no mortgage.
The mail ballots are due back 45 days after they're mailed out, with a simple majority needed to put the assessment in place.
A former Sutter County supervisor and state flood board member who is part of a group backing the assessment said she'd acknowledge these economic times make the idea a tougher sell.
"I understand how tough the economy is," said Barbara LeVake, of Sutter Butte Citizens for Flood Safety. "But it'll only be tougher if people have to pay higher flood insurance rates."
She and other residents pointed out the work done on the Yuba County side of the Feather River in recent years literally puts more pressure on the other side.
For the undecided, the open house was a place to get that kind of information.
But Gloria Adams of west Yuba City said she still hadn't made up her mind after speaking with some officials.
"I'm just concerned about the cost," she said, explaining if the timing is wrong, residents could pay both the assessment and higher flood insurance rates until the levees are upgraded.
"And our properties have already decreased in value," she said.
CONTACT Ben van der Meer at 749-4709 or bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com.
KNOW AND GO
Informational meetings on a proposed property assessment to pay for improved levees:
Today, 6-8 p.m., River Valley High School, 801 El Margarita Road, Yuba City
Monday, 6-8 p.m., Live Oak Middle School, 2080 Pennington Road, Live Oak
Tuesday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Central Gaither Elementary School, 8403 Bailey Road, Yuba City
More information can also be found at sutterbutteflood.org.
