Placer County next to receive fire fee bill

More fire prevention fee bills are on their way to the region.

“This week the state is mailing nearly 58,000 fire tax bills to Placer County residents — the largest single county billing to date,” George Runner, with the state Board of Equalization, said in a press release. “I think many people will be shocked to discover they must pay this illegal and unfair tax.”

Last month the state mailed 51,897 bills to El Dorado County property owners.

Runner noted that according to the latest Board of Equalization statistics, tens of thousands of Californians are already at risk of being subject to penalties and interest for not paying their bills on time. He reminded Californians that payments and appeals must be filed within 30 days of the date on the bill.

The following statistics, released by Runner, show the status of fire tax billings as of Oct.5:

The state has mailed 330,785 bills — roughly 40 percent of those slated to go out by December.

Of the 119,426 bills to come due so far (30 days after the billing date): 72,288 (61 percent) were paid in full, 1,717 were partially paid, and 45,421 (38 percent) were unpaid and overdue.