Amador County – Amador Water Agency Board of Directors heard a cash flow balance report Thursday, which said the agency is on par to make its next big payment for the Amador Transmission Pipeline, a $1 million payment due in May.

Finance Manager Mike Lee said “at the end of March, we were at $1.6 million dollars and change.” He said April, is expected to end cash right at projections, and if a pending “receivable” of about $100,000, a check from the state, comes in, before the end of the month, “we’re above the forecast for April.”

Director Robert Manassero said the chart appeared to not be “picking up recent water sale declines.” Lee said it was a relatively good forecast, with cash $137,000 below projections, and he would begin to work on next year’s chart. Board President Don Cooper said the agency has its $1 million dollar debt service payment for the Amador Pipeline, and must pay another $500,000 next November.

In public comment, Bill Condrashoff said he was worried that “maybe you have gone over your Gravity Supply Line authorized expense of $70,000,” with all of the coffeeshop meetings held by Manassero and Cooper around the Upcountry. Manassero said: “I haven’t billed anybody.”

Condrashoff also asked why the Central Amador Water Project retail and wholesale service areas showed revenues that were “so much more than previous years.” He said wholesale had “just about tripled” over what it was the last two years. Condrashoff said: “I would be a little suspicious.” Lee said he would have to see where the “actuals” were posted in prior years, and see if it was different in this report.

The former president, deposed in November, Condrashoff also warned of high cash use in May. Director Paul Molinelli said: “I would say that every board member is aware of that.” Cooper agreed, saying they were all “very concerned.” Lee said part of that cost was removed with four engineering layoffs.

Condrashoff said the board should remember that “you had half a million dollars come out of nowhere last year.” Cooper said: “We’re well aware that we are getting to the bottom of the milkshake and the air is coming in.”

The Board also reported on recent coffeshop meetings held in the Upcountry talking about the Gravity Supply Line, and issues facing the Central Amador Water Project. General Manager Gene Mancebo said the agency has more survey responses than before, and will share those with the Board and public. Several people criticized wording of the survey, with Condrashoff saying it was a “flatout insult to the intelligence of the people out there.” Sherry Curtis said people living outside of Central Amador service area were seen by attendees at the coffeeshop meetings as brining negativity and making misleading comments.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.