The Economic Development Administration (EDA), under the Department of Commerce, notified Yuba County in July, 2013 that its request for a grant to build a new sewer line at the Yuba County Airport industrial park is approved.  EDA will be funding 80% of the cost of the project, or approximately $1.8 million of the $2.2 million needed.

Yuba County Public Works Department will oversee the construction process which should be completed over the next 12 months, and the improvements will then be turned over to the Olivehurst Public Utilities District (OPUD). The sewer line will accommodate industrial users at the north end of the Airport along Furneaux and Melody roads, including a proposed medical glove manufacturing company.

The Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation, representing one of only five EDA districts throughout California, coordinated the successful loan application process on behalf of Yuba County.

A series of town hall meetings hosted by the Yuba County Health and Human Services Department was held during September to guide residents and small business owners in understanding the local impacts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The ACA panel revealed information that was unclear to local small business owners, including a requirement that all business owners must notify employees about whether insurance will be provided by the business. This requirement, being administered through the U.S. Department of Labor, must be completed by October 1, 2013. Businesses with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees are not required to provide health insurance under the new law, but they are required to notify their employees about whether such benefits will be provided. The template for the required letter can be found here under the heading of "Notice to Employees of Coverage Options."

Another consequence in Health Care Reform coordination is directing all insurance purchases through an online "Exchange." However, local insurance agents and brokers will be selling the same insurance packages as the Exchange at the same cost. "Residents and business owners can walk into their agent's office and sit across from them and discuss the options without paying any more than they would calling the Covered California Exchange," said panel member David Ernstam, a local insurance broker. "There are plenty of people out there who do not even realize this is an option."

For additional information about the Affordable Care Act, visit here.

Yuba County residents have been able to rely upon the requirements of Proposition 13 to limit assessed property value increases to two percent. However, that limit is temporarily suspended when values fall below the property's base value. Proposition 13's provisions provide for the establishment of a base year value whenever a change in ownership takes place in real property. After that, the base year value is subject to adjustments, but increases under the proposition are limited to no more than two percent per year.

"Over the past several years, as market values declined, our office reduced assessed values below base year values on nearly 10,000 properties," County Assessor Bruce Stottlemeyer said. However, under the provisions of Proposition 8, once an assessment has been reduced the assessor is required to annually adjust the assessment to reflect changes in market value, either up or down. This is done without regard to the two percent cap until the property's market value returns to the Proposition 13 base year value.

"Overall, this housing market recovery is very good for our residents and should mark a significant recovery for our local economy," said Stottlemeyer, "but some property owners need to be prepared for the rise in assessed value and corresponding taxes that may be associated with this recovery."

Beginning in August, taxpayers are now able to view their 2013/14 assessment by visiting the Assessor's website here.  Please call the Yuba County Assessor's Office at 530.749.7820 with any questions.

The Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium is coordinating a downtown Marysville business walk October 3. The focus of the walk will be visiting businesses most affected by the current Caltrans state route overlay project. A semi-annual activity, the survey results of a prior business walk can be viewed online here.

A Business Resource Seminar will be held in Olivehurst November 7 at 6 p.m. to share available tools, incentives, and practical information on helping your business succeed and grow. There is no cost to attend, dinner will be served. Please call 530.751.8555 or email here to reserve a seat.

The Yuba-Sutter Consortium consists of local agencies and organizations including economic development, workforce and entrepreneurial training, education, and utilities, find out more about the Consortium here.