A state fire prevention account has ended recent fiscal years with tens of millions of dollars unspent, despite extremely dry forest and vegetation from the drought. An investigation from the “Sacramento Bee” says there’s an estimated 43-million dollars left over this year. Nevada County Supervisor Hank Weston says the county has paid about 3-million dollars a year in annual parcel fees over the four-year life of the program, the fifth-highest in the state. He says the Board sent a letter earlier this year stating that parcel owners aren’t getting as much benefit as they should, due to the lack of oversight of how the money is used….

click to listen to Hank Weston

Weston also says Nevada and Placer Counties are paying a disproportionate amount…

click to listen to Hank Weston

Nevada County has opposed the implementation of the fee from the beginning. A trial is scheduled next year regarding a lawsuit against the fee filed by thousands of property owners around the state. Weston, among others, believes the large balance reflects the state’s concern about losing the case and having to refund the money. State officials say they’re spending cautiously because they haven’t been sure how much money the fee would bring in.