TC Supervisors Meeting To Focus Sales Tax Measure And Energy

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors has called for a special meeting on Tuesday to review several items.

The board will vote on approving the final language for a planned November ballot measure that asks county voters to increase the sales tax from the current 7.25% to 8.25%. It is a required step ahead of actually voting on the ordinance at the following meeting on June 18.

In addition, there will be a 9:30 am presentation from a representative from PG&E on services provided in Tuolumne County.

Then at 11:30 am there will be a vote on whether to do an Impact Assessment Study looking at the economic feasibility of joining a Community Choice Aggregation. It allows counties to purchase electricity on behalf of residents and businesses in place of utilities like PG&E. The study would specifically look at the benefits of joining the Pioneer Community Energy CCA, which was identified as the potential best fit, already serving foothill communities like Placer and El Dorado counties, Grass Valley and Nevada City.

Pioneer Community Energy was established in 2018 and tries to offer lower rates, support biomass projects, and promote local initiatives like installing solar panels on homes.

Pioneer Community Energy has agreed to pay half of the $30,000 cost to do the study, so Tuolumne County would pay $15,000.

If approved, the document would return to the board of supervisors in August with financial details of a potential agreement and estimated power load for the residents and businesses.

In addition, the supervisors will also vote on approving the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce to use Rocca Park in Jamestown for farmers market-type events, with available fresh local produce and other goods for sale. They would run on the first and third Fridays of the month, June 21-August 16, from 4-9 pm.

Tuesday’s meeting starts at 9 am in the board meeting room.