LAKE COUNTY >> If Lake County has to abate any of the six remaining commercial properties damaged by the Valley Fire and not cleared of debris, the state may loan the money to cover most of the costs.
According to Senator Mike McGuire, officials from CalOES met with the county more than a month ago to discuss the situation. As a result of that meeting, the county gained the option to pay the state back once the lien has been repaid by the property owner.
These costs will not be covered by his proposed Senate Bill 937, which would exempt the county for paying its share of public assistance recovery costs. It was recently brought before the California Senate and will head to the floor later.
“A win-win solution was brought to the county,” McGuire said. “This ensures that a vast majority of properties are cleaned up and it pays the taxpayers of California back.”
District 5 Supervisor and Board of Supervisors Chair Rob Brown said he wasn’t certain about the deal because he hasn’t seen an actual commitment. However, he added that he felt confident about the state providing what he calls “seed money.”
“They haven’t told us no,” he said.
Even if the agreement is not yet official, if property owners are insured and may be able to have the cleanup costs covered. The status of those claims is unknown and as of this story’s publication only one property representative (Harbin Hot Springs/ Bar X Ranch) responded to a quest for comment despite multiple attempts.
“Everybody has different insurance,” Brown said. “It’s not really consistent from one property owner to the next.”
One thing is for certain: both the state and the county want the owners of Hoberg’s Resort to complete its own cleanup.
According to the senator, it is the only property abatement the state won’t cover because of its preexisting contamination conditions. Regulations, McGuire said, prohibit the state from funding the clean up of debris on such a location.
Brown is attempting to encourage the resorts owners, Lake County Partners, to do the job not only for the county’s sake, but also to limit long term bills.
“It’ll be cheaper for them because if we have to use state or federal money we will have to do it with prevailing wage,” the supervisor said.
Yet, in the midst of uncertainty and confusion, McGuire assured that he and Assemblyman Bill Dodd will keep working for the county.
“We’re in this for the long haul and I’m grateful for the partnership with Lake County’s officials,” he said. “Like I said at the beginning, we are committed to the recovery and rebuilding so we can come back stronger.“
