Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council discussed its budget and an impending audit report Tuesday, and will look to monitor spending and make cuts. City Manager Rob Duke said General Fund revenue is down $20,000 this year. Expenses are projected to be $73,000 below budget, but because of revenue, the budget is still unbalanced by $110,000. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the city had just billed Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort for $100,000 for costs associated with the sewer plant Environmental Impact Report and legal fees. Duke said the largest budget savings will be realized in the police department and planning. The department will lose an officer later this year and not refill the position, saving about $30,000 to year’s end. Walgreens was burglarized 2 weeks ago and “burglars took copper wiring out of the walls,” Duke said, setting back the project 30 days, along with potential revenue. Councilwoman Linda Rianda said the Ad Hoc Budget Committee looked into public opinion that unions be removed from the city. She said representation for workers is legal and “we will not be removing any unions.” The committee will look at sewer-related overtime, and is getting good ideas from the public. Rianda said “you may not hear back from us, but we are going over that information.” Councilman Pat Crosby said “we had a good budget meeting July 1st,” and urged having another council budget meeting. He said the city does not have contracts with employees, and Rianda missed the point of advice from City Attorney Dennis Crabb. Crosby said the city must “take some drastic steps” to “lay off all city employees and start over.” Rianda acknowledged the advice, and Crosby said: “Of course that’s what you’ve got to do. That’s what you were told 6 months ago.” He said the city’s biggest output of money is paid to personnel. Mayor Gary Wooten said he disagreed with Crosby, and “we need employees.” Wooten said “if the county’s finances don’t improve, we might all be bankrupt.” Crosby said the city had to do something about its $30,000 a month deficit. Rianda said an auditor looking at city finances advises a need for budget controls and monitoring to make sure city staff is following spending policies that are in place. Crosby said he would like to have the entire council see the auditor’s report, but he knew it was only for the audit committee. Finance director Jeff Gardner said the auditor could give a presentation in open session, “then stick around for closed session.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council discussed its budget and an impending audit report Tuesday, and will look to monitor spending and make cuts. City Manager Rob Duke said General Fund revenue is down $20,000 this year. Expenses are projected to be $73,000 below budget, but because of revenue, the budget is still unbalanced by $110,000. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the city had just billed Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort for $100,000 for costs associated with the sewer plant Environmental Impact Report and legal fees. Duke said the largest budget savings will be realized in the police department and planning. The department will lose an officer later this year and not refill the position, saving about $30,000 to year’s end. Walgreens was burglarized 2 weeks ago and “burglars took copper wiring out of the walls,” Duke said, setting back the project 30 days, along with potential revenue. Councilwoman Linda Rianda said the Ad Hoc Budget Committee looked into public opinion that unions be removed from the city. She said representation for workers is legal and “we will not be removing any unions.” The committee will look at sewer-related overtime, and is getting good ideas from the public. Rianda said “you may not hear back from us, but we are going over that information.” Councilman Pat Crosby said “we had a good budget meeting July 1st,” and urged having another council budget meeting. He said the city does not have contracts with employees, and Rianda missed the point of advice from City Attorney Dennis Crabb. Crosby said the city must “take some drastic steps” to “lay off all city employees and start over.” Rianda acknowledged the advice, and Crosby said: “Of course that’s what you’ve got to do. That’s what you were told 6 months ago.” He said the city’s biggest output of money is paid to personnel. Mayor Gary Wooten said he disagreed with Crosby, and “we need employees.” Wooten said “if the county’s finances don’t improve, we might all be bankrupt.” Crosby said the city had to do something about its $30,000 a month deficit. Rianda said an auditor looking at city finances advises a need for budget controls and monitoring to make sure city staff is following spending policies that are in place. Crosby said he would like to have the entire council see the auditor’s report, but he knew it was only for the audit committee. Finance director Jeff Gardner said the auditor could give a presentation in open session, “then stick around for closed session.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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