LUCERNE, Calif. – Times may be tough, but amidst all of the dire news there are many positive things happening in the community, according to local leaders who spoke at a Thursday afternoon town hall.

District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing hosted the meeting, one of many such town halls she hosts annually.

Previous town halls have been held at the Lucerne Senior Center, but Thursday’s event was held at the Lucerne Hotel, purchased last year by the Lake County Redevelopment Agency.

About 75 people – more than had been expected – attended the meeting in the building’s dining room, overlooking the lake. After the hour-and-a-half-long meeting, Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely led a number of community members on a tour of the building.

The building itself has become a symbol for community building and, in some cases, rebuilding.

A 1920s project that was completed on the cusp of the Great Depression, “the Castle” had passed through numerous hands and uses before its 2010 purchase.

Rushing told the group, “This building needed to be saved and it had one last shot.”

It also was a chance to save Lucerne, which was built around the hotel.

In addition to the hotel, there are many other projects under way in the Northshore town that are positive, community members heard Thursday.

“There’s so many things happening, and it's a real celebration of Lake County,” said Rushing, explaining that despite the difficult times, “There’s so much promise.”

Rushing pointed to the Konocti Regional Trails system, the food system that has developed in Lake County and the fact that the county is a net energy generator.

County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox updated the group on his activities, including responding to congressional redistricting plans, focusing on the county budget – which is structurally sound with no general fund debt – and the new county economic development and marketing plan.

Cox said he thinks he’ll be retiring before going through the next budget cycle, but noted that the Lucerne Hotel means a lot to him and he plans to be the county’s No. 1 volunteer after retirement.

He also pointed out that the county purchased the hotel building for cash.

Lake Transit Agency Manager Mark Wall was on hand to give an update on increases in ridership, new bus shelters and benches, proposed changes to routes and new fee increases that will go up in 2012.

Seely told the group that the future has been uncertain regarding redevelopment, with a California Supreme Court ruling expected in mid-January in a suit over new legislation that would eliminate agencies or require them to make payments to the state.

The county redevelopment agency is working on a partnership with Southern California-based Marymount College, which is looking at locating a campus at the Lucerne Hotel. Cox said that if the partnership is finalized, it’s anticipated that the educational facility would be open by 2013’s fall semester.

Cox said he was more optimistic than Seely that redevelopment would continue in some form, adding that he believes reforms are necessary.

“There are places where it does work,” he said of redevelopment.

Cox said he thinks the Lucerne Hotel is key to the town. “I’m very optimistic about Lucerne,” which he said has a lot of potential.

He added, “With or without redevelopment we'll make things happen.”

Rushing asked everyone how they felt about being a college town, and the room applauded.

“I think we can turn our economy around and everyone gets to benefit,” Rushing said.

The town hall also included updates on the new Mental Health administration building, with architecture resembling the Lucerne Hotel’s, being built on 13th Avenue. Forty staffers are expected to be located there once the building opens in January 2012.

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Josue Fabian Valencia, 21, of Lower Lake, and Clearlake residents Leopoldo Bravo of Clearlake, 18, and 19-year-old Ivan Rodriguez were arrested in the case, according to gt. Rodd Joseph.

Joseph reported that on Wednesday shortly after 12:30 p.m. Clearlake Police Department dispatch received a call about a possible pending fight at Redbud Park. The witness stated she had overheard two groups of people arguing at the Tower Mart in Lower Lake and during the argument, the groups agreed to meet at Redbud Park in the city of Clearlake to fight.

The witness described one of the groups as three Hispanic male adults in a black midsized car, Joseph said. The other group was described as a group of black males however, no vehicle description for this group was given to police dispatch.

Joseph said a Clearlake Police sergeant responded to Redbud Park within three minutes of the call, locating at the scene a black midsized car driving through the parking lot containing three Hispanic male adults. The sergeant recognized one of the vehicle occupants as a known and documented Clearlake Sureño gang member.

The sergeant followed the car onto Lakeshore Drive, where it quickly pulled into the gas station pumps at Notts Liquors at 14772 Lakeshore Drive. Joseph said the sergeant lost sight of the vehicle and occupants for less than a minute, and then observed the vehicle park in the rear of the lot near the self service car wash.

He said the sergeant watched the three occupants exit the vehicle and begin cleaning the inside of the car. The sergeant continued the observation for a few more minutes, not yet knowing whether the subjects were the ones reported to police.

While the officer watched the group, a witness approached him and advised that she had just seen the three occupants in possession of a shotgun while the vehicle was parked at the gas pumps a few minutes earlier, Joseph said.

When the group of subjects began to separate, the officer – who was by himself – engaged the three subjects with his handgun and held the three at gunpoint until other officers arrived to assist. Joseph said the three subjects were detained in handcuffs without further incident, and all were determined to be documented Sureño gang members with ties to the Angelino Heights Sureño criminal street gang.

A loaded 12-gauge shotgun was found to have been discarded in a trash can next to the gas pumps. Joseph said several 12-gauge shotgun rounds were located in and around the weapon, and additional rounds also were located in the parking lot of Howard’s Grotto. No weapons were found in the vehicle.

During the investigation it was determined that this group of Sureño gang members were involved in a confrontation with a group of black male subjects at the Lower Lake Tower Mart. Joseph said both groups made threats to each other and agreed to meet at Redbud Park to possibly engage in a gun battle.

While the three Sureños were driving to Redbud Park, the rear passenger loaded his 12-gauge shotgun, which was on his lap. Joseph said the suspects drove into the parking lot of Redbud Park with the intent to shoot the other suspects.

When the suspects spotted the lone police officer in the park, they fled in an attempt to discard the gun as the gun was still on the rear passenger’s lap, Joseph said. They dumped the gun into the trash can at Notts Liquors when they no longer saw the police officer behind them.

Joseph said they also threw several 12-gauge rounds into the parking lot of Howard’s Grotto in an attempt to conceal them from police. All three suspects were arrested for several weapon charges.

Text messages on one of the suspect’s cellular phones showed that other Sureño gang members were trying to get a hold of another firearm possibly located at one of the arrested Sureño gang member’s Lower Lake residence, Joseph said.

Clearlake police officers and detectives later searched the suspect’s Lower Lake home, however, no other firearms were located. Joseph said it is believed that this second firearm had been removed from the home prior to the search by police and is still outstanding.

Valencia, the vehicle’s driver, was charged with a misdemeanor count of driving without a license, and felony charges of possession of a firearm while a member of a criminal street gang, participating in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a street gang crime, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a felony, armed criminal action and conspiracy. He also is being held on a no-bail immigration hold.

Bravo was charged with felonies including possession of a firearm with a member of a criminal street gang, participating in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a street gang crime, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a felony, armed criminal action and conspiracy.

The rear passenger of the vehicle, Rodriguez, was charged with felony possession of a firearm while a member of a criminal street gang, participating in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a street gang crime, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a felony, armed criminal action and conspiracy, ineligible possession of a firearm and ineligible possession of ammunition.

Officers obtained bail increases for all three suspects totaling $250,000 each. Joseph said the black male subjects possibly involved in the altercation have not yet been identified.

Joseph said the Clearlake Police Department thanked the courageous witnesses who came forward with information which led to the arrest of these three violent gang members and contributed to the possible prevention of further violence in this case.

The Clearlake Police Department is working to rid the city of gang violence and continued gang violence will be sought and prosecuted, Joseph said.

Any person with information about this investigation, or any other crime occurring in the city of Clearlake is asked to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.

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“The geothermal energy produced in California’s counties is not only good for our environment, it reduces our dependence on foreign oil and helps our economy by spurring green job creation,” said Thompson, who represents Lake County in the US House of Representatives.

“The best way to reduce the deficit is by creating jobs because more jobs means greater revenues and less need for government assistance,” he added. “If a community invests in developing geothermal energy they deserve to get their fair share in returns. I am strongly against cutting counties’ share of geothermal revenue because that means cutting jobs, crippling future green job growth, and stifling our economic recovery – all of which will only make our deficit larger.”

Members joining in the call to preserve geothermal energy revenue sharing include Representatives Mark Amodei (R-Carson City, NV), Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), Shelley Berkley (D-Las Vegas), and Bob Filner (D-San Diego). The Representatives joined in the call to promote energy independence and preserve this vital source of revenue for the counties that produce geothermal energy.

“Geothermal energy is a crucial clean resource for creating jobs and securing our energy independence,” said Garamendi. “It is in our economic and national security interests to make our energy in America, which is why it’s critical for the federal government to continue cultivating an environment for geothermal development.”

Garamendi continued, “Communities that bear the burden of geothermal development deserve a fair share of its revenue. I strongly oppose any attempt to deprive these counties of funds for essential local services, including education and public safety.”

"Geothermal royalties are extremely important to Lake County and it is absolutely essential that the federal government continue allocating a portion of these revenues to counties in order to help mitigate the local impacts of geothermal development,” said Lake County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox.

“Congressman Thompson's leadership on this issue has been outstanding,” Cox continued. “He and Congressman Garamendi completely understand why it would be wrong to take these revenues away from counties. Their continuing efforts to protect our community's interests are very much appreciated.”

"Geothermal energy brings jobs and growth to Nevada with 20 plants in operation providing clean, reliable electrical capacity to the grid and significant additional capacity under development," said Congressman Amodei. "Given the important role of the counties in the development of this domestic energy source, it's only proper that they should share in the revenue of the federal receipts."

“These geothermal receipts provide an important source of income for Imperial County, in my district. By promoting geothermal development and investing in renewable energy, we can create jobs for Americans!” said Congressman Filner.

“Geothermal not only provides vital clean energy to power homes and businesses, it also creates good jobs in Nevada and I strongly support the continued expansion of this industry,” said Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. “At a time when counties in my home state are struggling to fund schools, public safety and other essential services for families, we must protect revenues from geothermal production that are now shared with local communities.”

She added, “Repealing the provision that provides these critical local dollars from geothermal royalties will only hurt county governments – whether in Nevada or other states – by limiting the resources they have available for economic development to create more jobs and to provide for the needs of those who call the towns and cities in these areas home.”

“Geothermal energy is exactly the kind of renewable resource we should be investing in to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and point the way toward a sustainable future,” Congresswoman Woolsey said. “I join my colleagues in urging the Super Committee to preserve these subsidies, which support green jobs and help localities continue delivering vital services.”

The letter can be seen below.

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111711 Members of Congress Geothermal Letter

Capt. Kurt Smallcomb said the incident was reported to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office via a cell phone call at 5:40 a.m. Thursday.

He said 22-year-old Covelo resident Joey Long called the agency stating that someone had forcibly entered his residence and he had shot them.

Mendocino County Sheriffs deputies and medical personnel responded to Long's residence. They found the dead man lying just outside a broken sliding glass door. Smallcomb said evidence showed the man had been stricken with a single gunshot injury to his upper chest.

Long advised deputies and detectives, that he had been asleep in bed with his wife and young child when he heard his sliding glass window break inside the residence. He got a 357-caliber handgun when he observed two suspects inside his residence, according to Smallcomb.

Long said he observed one of the suspects holding something in his handm which he believed was a possible weapon. At that time Long fired several rounds from his handgun until it was empty. He then retrieved a second handgun from the closet and fired two more rounds towards the suspects, Smallcomb said.

One of the suspects fell to the ground just outside the broken sliding glass door and a second suspect ran from the residence, got into a white Chevy Cobalt-type sedan then fled the scene, Smallcomb reported. Long then contacted 911 via his cellular telephone and summoned assistance.

Detectives learned that Long had approximately 100 pounds of processed marijuana inside and around the residence property. Smallcomb said it appeared that the suspects were attempting to steal Long's marijuana.

Smallcomb said detectives are continuing the investigation and attempting to positively identify the decedent so they can contact his next of kin. Once his family is notified, law enforcement can release his name to the public.

A forensic autopsy will be conducted on Friday, Smallcomb said.

He added that Mendocino County Sheriff’s detectives will eventually forward the case to the district attorney for review.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office at 707-467-9159. Callers can remain anonymous.

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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The woman who introduced a healthy and delicious approach to feeding Kelseyville Unified School District’s students was featured on a nationwide news program this week.

Michelle Malm, head of the district’s food program, was profiled by CBS Early Show reporter Erica Hill as part of an ongoing series spotlighting people who represent the American spirit.

Under Malm’s leadership, Kelseyville Unified’s food program went from being $70,000 in debt and serving up boxed, unhealthy food, to being profitable and filled with fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally.

The school also participates in the Farm to School Program, the goals of which include not just bringing healthy foods to school cafeterias but also supporting local farmers.

Also featured in the profile was Upper Lake’s Colleen Seely Rentsch, one of the local farmers whose produce makes its way onto Kelseyville students’ plates.

Best of all, the students appear to enjoy eating the healthier, more wholesome foods. They also participate in growing some of the food in school gardens.

The five-minute profile can be viewed above.

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South Lake County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire responded to a house fire at 15630 Eagle Rock Road in Hidden Valley Lake just after noon on Monday, Nov. 14, according to a Cal Fire report.

When firefighters arrived, they found the house filled with smoke and flames were visible in one wall of the structure. Cal Fire said firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and extinguish the flames.

Two dogs and a cat were trapped, unconscious in the home. A nearby Hidden Valley Lake security officer was able to remove one of the dogs while firefighters battled the flames. Cal Fire said firefighters rescued the second dog and a cat.

The cat succumbed to its injuries at the scene of the fire but rescue personnel performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the dogs using special animal oxygen masks carried on their paramedic unit, Cal Fire said.

Firefighters were able to revive both the dogs, which were then transported by Lake County Animal Control to a local veterinarian's office, Cal Fire said.

Despite quick attention by emergency personnel and veterinarian staff, one of the dogs later died from its injuries, officials reported.

The home sustained moderate smoke damage but the structure and its contents were saved by firefighters. Cal Fire said the cause is under investigation; however, investigators are looking at combustible materials placed too close to a free standing propane fueled fireplace as a possible cause.

"We'd like to remind residents that any combustible materials should be placed a minimum distance of at least three feet away from any heat source," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Scott Upton.

Three South Lake County Fire Protection District/CAL FIRE engines, one paramedic unit, one battalion chief and one volunteer company responded to the fire, Cal Fire reported.

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Based on an average of these state ratings, the nation received a three-star rating on a five-star scale.

Also included in the report are updated figures showing that drunk driving costs the United States more than $132 billion annually, according to data compiled by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.

“While we’ve made substantial progress with the campaign over the past five years, the ratings earned by each state show that there is still much work to be done,” said MADD National President Jan Withers. “During this time of year, when drunk driving crashes are most prevalent, we are reminded that the goal of the campaign is to have no more drunk driving victims. MADD calls on the nation to rededicate itself to efforts to save lives, prevent injuries and eliminate this primary threat on our nation’s roadways.”

The states earning a five-star rating include Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and Utah, while Montana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota each earned one star.

California received four stars, according to the report.

The ratings are an indication of states passing effective laws and employing effective drunk driving countermeasures, and are independent of a state’s fatality numbers.

Each state’s rating was determined by adoption of the following proven drunk driving countermeasures, including requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, conducting sobriety checkpoints, creating enhanced penalties for those who drive drunk with children in the vehicle, participating in “no-refusal” activities for those suspected of drunk driving and utilizing administrative license revocation for drunk driving offenders.

“MADD urges states to adopt these important laws and countermeasures to save lives and support the campaign,” Withers said.

Withers said the campaign’s founding components include:high-visibility law enforcement such as sobriety checkpoints, ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, and advanced and seamless in-vehicle technology to stop drunk drivers from getting on the road.

“While we have made great strides over the last 30 years, drunk driving is still the deadliest epidemic on America's roads, killing approximately 11,000 people every year,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “That's why the U.S. Department of Transportation is so committed to working with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to save lives by promoting strong anti-drunk driving laws, enforcement strategies and public awareness efforts.”

The Report to the Nation also outlines the $132 billion annual cost of drunk driving in America, which consists of monetary and quality-of-life costs to victims of drunk driving, along with costs to both the government and employers.

Those costs include $61 billion in monetary costs and $71 billion in quality-of-life losses stemming from all drunk driving crashes.

The federal government paid $4.5 billion of this bill, while state and local governments paid $3.2 billion. Employers paid $10.7 billion, including $3.7 billion related to crashes involving work trips and $7 billion due to crashes outside of work involving employees and benefit-eligible dependents.

Since MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving was launched in 2006, there has been substantial progress on its three components:

– Increased attention for high-visibility law enforcement efforts, such as sobriety checkpoints, along with support for national awareness campaigns, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

– A change in the national conversation about ignition interlocks, with more than double the number of interlocks in use now than in 2006. In addition, the number of states requiring ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders has increased from one to 15 and the number of states requiring interlocks for some type of first-time offender has increased from four to 32.

– The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) program has recently announced the beginning of Phase II in the ambitious research effort to develop an inexpensive, unobtrusive, reliable and hassle-free technology that will make a vehicle inoperable by a drunk driver (.08 blood alcohol concentration, or greater). This phase of the program is expected to produce a drivable test vehicle in two years, with a goal of having the technology available for voluntary installation in production vehicles in eight to 10 years.

“Today, there is no longer a debate on the effectiveness of ignition interlocks – we’ve seen the lifesaving results – and every state should require these devices for all convicted drunk drivers. Along with broad support for high-visibility law enforcement and the DADSS program, the nation is truly on a path toward the elimination of drunk driving,” concluded Withers.

To view MADD’s Report to the Nation, see below or visit visit www.madd.org/reporttothenation. MADD is the sole author of the report, which is based on 31 years of experience working on lifesaving legislation, along with data from various respected government, research and public safety organization sources.

For more information about MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, visit www.madd.org/campaign.

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MADD State Report 2011

The Clearlake Police Department reported that on Saturday, Nov. 12, police officers assisted Clearlake Animal Control in performing a special animal control-related enforcement.

Officers cited animal owners who have chosen to deliberately disobey the city’s mandatory spay/neuter law, haven’t had the required rabies vaccinations for their animals or disregarded city code requirements that all dogs be licensed.

In all, officers performed compliance checks at 38 locations, issuing 15 citations for 24 animals, according to the report.

The animal owners were cited for 38 separate violations which included failure to spay/neuter, failure to vaccinate for rabies and/or failure to license their dog.

Police said the special enforcement was very successful and there are plans for scheduling another in the near future.

Animal owners need to know that they will be cited if they choose not to follow the laws when it comes to being a responsible pet owner, police reported.

While citations were issued for no rabies vaccination and/or not having a dog license, the main focus of this special enforcement was the city’s mandatory spay/neuter law, in effect since June of 2006.

The city of Clearlake and the county as a whole have an abundantnce of dogs and cats which are not spayed or neutered. As a direct result, many animals end up on the streets, in a shelter or sent to a rescue agency. Police said that primarily due to a lack of responsible pet owners, this problem becomes a huge burden to the community, local animal control agencies and rescue groups.

The city of Clearlake Animal Control and Clearlake Police Department have pledged to have a “no tolerance policy” for dog and cat owners in the city who choose not to follow the law. If your pet is not spayed/neutered, vaccinated for the rabies virus and/or if your dog is not licensed, you will be issued a citation.

Following the law and becoming a responsible pet owner is not only the right thing to do, it is also the more affordable choice, according to the Clearlake Police Department. If you are cited for having an animal which is not spayed/neutered, the fine could be as much as $435 per animal, while the fine for violating the required rabies vaccination ordinance is $245 per animal and for having a dog which is not licensed the fine is $125. In addition to these fine amounts, owners will still be required to comply with the law.

To have your pet spayed/neutered and/or vaccinated for the rabies virus, contact your local veterinarian. The Animal Coalition of Lake County as well as the SPCA of Clearlake offer low cost spay/neuter vouchers and clinics.

To contact the Animal Coalition, visit them at 14104 Lakeshore Drive on Wednesdays from 10 am to noon. To contact the SPCA of Clearlake, call 707-279-1400.

The city of Clearlake Animal Control is hosting a low cost rabies vaccination clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The cost of rabies vaccination is $6 per animal; DHPP vaccinations for $14 and licensing for dogs will also be available. The clinic is for Clearlake residents only.

Bring to the clinic proof of physical address and prior rabies vaccination records if the animal has been previously vaccinated. Cash, check or money orders will be accepted.

Dogs must be leashed at all times and all cats must be contained in a type of carrier at all times at the clinic. Animals must remain under control at all times.

For more information regarding the low cost rabies vaccination clinic, call 707-994-8201, Extension 115.

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The software, known as “California's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Application and Evaluation Tool for Local Roadways,” provides Caltrans a better way to analyze safety projects submitted by local agencies and award funding to those projects that will increase roadway safety the most.

The application determines which projects offer the greatest potential of reducing fatalities and injuries on California’s local roads.

With the assistance of the HSIP tool, Caltrans awarded $75 million in federal funding to 179 safety projects statewide in Fiscal Year 2010-11.

The agency said these projects will save lives and provide a projected $743 million in safety benefits as a result of fewer vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities on local roads.

Included on the list is a $132,400 project on Lakeshore Boulevard between Ashe Street and Lange Street to install colored asphalt concrete in the bike lanes, upgrade edge lines and construct a small traffic circle.

“We strive to be the leader in roadway safety,” said acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Safety is our highest priority and an essential component of every one of our state and local projects. This award for our Highway Safety Improvement Program drives us to continue efforts on innovative solutions that improve the safety of California’s roads for everyone.”

Under Caltrans’ direction, the University of California Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center also contributed to the creation of the HSIP Tool.

The National Roadway Safety Awards is a biennial competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Roadway Safety Foundation to recognize roadway safety achievements that move the nation “toward zero deaths” on highways and local roads.

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November 2011 - Caltrans Approved HSIP Safety Projects

The California Board of Equalization's recent report showed that the total value of state-assessed and county-assessed property rose to $4.382 trillion for 2011-12, an increase of $11.6 billion, or 0.3 percent, from the previous year.

In addition, the value of county-assessed property increased by $5.3 billion, or 0.1 percent, to $4.297 trillion, while the value of state-assessed property, mainly privately owned public utilities and railroads, totaled $85.3 billion, an increase of $6.3 billion or 8.0 percent, the agency reported.

Lake County Assessor-Recorder Doug Wacker said each year he’s required to determine what the coming year’s tax roll will be.

For the coming 2011-12 year, he’s estimating it to be $6.64 billion, which translates into a growth rate of negative 1.33 percent, slightly better than the negative 1.5 percent the county roll experienced in 2010-11.

It’s a big change from tax roll growth seen earlier in the decade. Wacker said the county had seen 12- to 14-percent increases in some years.

“I don't see any real upward movement yet,” he said.

Wacker added that he hopes that land values start to improve soon, but cautioned, “It could be a couple more years yet. I hate to say it but it could be.”

He said the state has seen property value ups and downs since Proposition 13 was passed in the 1970s, including a slump in the 1990s, “but nothing to this degree.”

Lake's neighboring county of Colusa showed the highest year-to-year percentage increase, 19.5 percent, which the Board of Equalization said is largely related to utility assessments – which comprise more than one-third of the Colusa County's assessment roll – and was driven by the construction of a new power plant in the county.

The report showed that 20 counties posted year-to-year increases in assessed value, although jumps in value like those seen in Colusa County were not the norm, with only Kern, Madera and Trinity counties showing growth of more than 2 percent.

Thirty-eight of California's 58 counties experienced year-to-year declines in value, with Plumas County posting the largest decline, 5.3 percent. It was the only county declining by more than 5 percent, the state said.

The Central Valley, hard hit by the foreclosure crisis over the last several years, showed concentrated value declines.

The Greater Sacramento Area had a 2.9 percent decline, while the North San Joaquin Valley declined by 2.7 percent. The Southern San Joaquin Valley posted a 1.4-percent assessment value growth, which was attributed to the 2.4 percent growth experienced by Kern County.

California's 15 coastal counties, which account for over 60 percent of the state's total assessed valuations, gained 0.9 percent, while the state said that valuations in the 43 inland counties fell 0.6 percent, Southern California assessed values increased 0.7 percent and the San Francisco Bay Area’s values rose by 0.3 percent.

Of the 12 counties with rolls exceeding $100 billion, seven counties posted an increase in assessed value, while values in five counties fell. The Board of Equalization said values increased in the counties of San Mateo and Orange (1.0 percent), Santa Clara (0.9 percent), San Francisco (0.5 percent), San Diego (0.4 percent) and Alameda (0.1 percent).

Declines in value include the counties of Sacramento (-3.7 percent), Riverside (-1.2 percent), San Bernardino (-0.5 percent), Contra Costa (-0.4 percent), and Ventura County, which was only down slightly, virtually unchanged by percentage, according to the Board of Equalization.

Los Angeles County, with the largest assessment roll at $1.079 trillion, increased by 1.4 percent, up $15.0 billion over 2010-11, the state said.

Wacker and his staff have been proactive – and especially busy – with property reassessments under the Property 8 program since valuations locally began to drop in 2008.

While the tax roll closed in July, community members have until Nov. 30 to contact Wacker’s office to challenge their property valuation.

Wacker estimated his staff conducted more than 10,000 of the reviews last year.

“Our staff has been doing more of those than anything,” explained Wacker, adding that it’s becoming more of a challenge because his staff of 15 has been reduced by about a position and a half due to attrition, and budget cuts are keeping the jobs dark.

“We’re definitely going to have our hands full,” he said.

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