Just weeks before the deadline, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
paid San Benito County more than $239,000 in property taxes as part
of a $75 million state package.
Just weeks before the deadline, Pacific Gas and Electric Company paid San Benito County more than $239,000 in property taxes as part of a $75 million state package.
PG&E recently paid a total of $75.3 million in property taxes to the 49 California counties in which it operates.
By making payments by the deadline, the company avoided additional fines and fees and also avoids the possibility of having its property seized by the county.
The property taxes were due between July 1 and Dec. 31, according to county records.
San Benito County Tax Collector and Treasurer Mary Lou Andrade said she was relieved to see the utility company was on time because it could save the county money.
“This way we won’t have to go to court or anything to get the money,” Andrade said. “And, we need all the funds we can get.”
However, Andrade said the public should remember the county only receives 11 percent of the property tax collected, which equals about $25,000. The rest will go to the state.
PG&E President and CEO Gordon Smith said meeting its commitment to local government by paying its property taxes on time is important because it helps pay for a variety of public services such as public safety, education, health care and environmental protection.
“In these times of tight budgets, PG&E’s payment of property taxes, franchise fees and other taxes and fees remain a stable source of revenue for local governments,” Smith said in a statement.
This is the fourth property tax payment the utility company has made to California counties since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 6, 2001.
Since PG&E filed for bankruptcy, it has had trouble keeping up with its tax payments. The utility company came under fire last year after it paid its employees an estimated $83 million in bonuses before paying off its property taxes and other obligations.
Andrade said payment of the taxes is important to more than just the county’s financial well being.
The funds are divided and distributed between schools and local government to help pay for various programs and public benefits.
