Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council finalized the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort project Tuesday with second readings of a Development Agreement and zoning amendments. The council deferred amending the agreement on recommendations by Councilman Pat Crosby, so they would not have to reset the reading sequence. Crosby wanted the Development Agreement to allow a 10 percent surcharge on any sales of golf, carts, or buckets of balls at Gold Rush. City Attorney Dennis Crabb, speaking by telephone from the Lake Tahoe area due to road conditions, said if they “make substantive changes on the second reading,” they “must go back to the first reading again.” He said they can approve it, proceed with legal publication, then bring it back with changes to satisfy Crosby’s concerns. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the council can approve it “as is” and amend the agreement at the next council meeting. The council agreed to that, and approved the zoning ordinance amendments and development agreement for second readings, with no changes to either. About 20 people attended, including Gold Rush development partner Bill Bunce, who did not address the council, and left shortly after 5-0 votes off approval. The council also discussed budget woes of the city, receiving a treasurer’s report from Cathy Castillo, and an ad hoc budget committee report from Councilwoman Linda Rianda. Castillo said the city’s overall cash position in December was $1.33 million, down about $800,000 from a year ago, when it was $2.2 million. She said it was down because the city has not received all of its property taxes. Castillo said the city budget trend is “spending more than we are taking in.” That includes average monthly deposits of $200,000 to $300,000, with monthly average spending of $350,000. Castillo said “anything above operating costs should be pre-approved,” and the “state will be holding onto anything they can, and they will be hanging us out to dry this year.” Rianda said the ad hoc budget committee has met twice this month and continues “to look for ways to be creative and come up with new revenue.” She agreed that there could be “possible financial control issues.” She said the city may “need policy to see that budget variances are recorded,” with pre-approval for spending, such as in the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority. Rianda said: “We have policies in place” and the city needs “to make sure all employees are following them.” Castillo said it would help, by “just taking more control over the expenditures before they occur.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010 17:00
Sutter Creek Finalizes Gold Rush, Discusses Budget Work
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council finalized the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort project Tuesday with second readings of a Development Agreement and zoning amendments. The council deferred amending the agreement on recommendations by Councilman Pat Crosby, so they would not have to reset the reading sequence. Crosby wanted the Development Agreement to allow a 10 percent surcharge on any sales of golf, carts, or buckets of balls at Gold Rush. City Attorney Dennis Crabb, speaking by telephone from the Lake Tahoe area due to road conditions, said if they “make substantive changes on the second reading,” they “must go back to the first reading again.” He said they can approve it, proceed with legal publication, then bring it back with changes to satisfy Crosby’s concerns. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the council can approve it “as is” and amend the agreement at the next council meeting. The council agreed to that, and approved the zoning ordinance amendments and development agreement for second readings, with no changes to either. About 20 people attended, including Gold Rush development partner Bill Bunce, who did not address the council, and left shortly after 5-0 votes off approval. The council also discussed budget woes of the city, receiving a treasurer’s report from Cathy Castillo, and an ad hoc budget committee report from Councilwoman Linda Rianda. Castillo said the city’s overall cash position in December was $1.33 million, down about $800,000 from a year ago, when it was $2.2 million. She said it was down because the city has not received all of its property taxes. Castillo said the city budget trend is “spending more than we are taking in.” That includes average monthly deposits of $200,000 to $300,000, with monthly average spending of $350,000. Castillo said “anything above operating costs should be pre-approved,” and the “state will be holding onto anything they can, and they will be hanging us out to dry this year.” Rianda said the ad hoc budget committee has met twice this month and continues “to look for ways to be creative and come up with new revenue.” She agreed that there could be “possible financial control issues.” She said the city may “need policy to see that budget variances are recorded,” with pre-approval for spending, such as in the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority. Rianda said: “We have policies in place” and the city needs “to make sure all employees are following them.” Castillo said it would help, by “just taking more control over the expenditures before they occur.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Latest from
- Richard Forster previews this week's Amador County Board of Supervisors meeting with host, Tom Slivick. (2 of 2)
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News December 7, 2015 (1 of 2)
- Ebbetts Pass (State Route 4) Closed for Winter
- State HWY 89 Closed for the Winter
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News November 23, 2015 (2 of 2)
