Amador County – The Amador Water Agency discussed deferring some big costs on the horizon last week, including a sewer treatment plant capacity improvement agreement with Sutter Creek.
Finance Manager Mike Lee said he deferred a budgeted payment of $250,000 to Sutter Creek toward future sewer treatment capacity, saying the agency does not have an agreement in place.
He said meeting the budget still will require negotiations with bargaining units and a reduction in salaries. The board meeting Thursday includes discussion of the agency’s proposed reorganization.
General Manager Gene Mancebo said they are “starting to discuss that capacity” agreement, and he suggested trying to pay Sutter Creek for the sewer expansion over a number of years, instead of paying the “whole nut” at once.
AWA Attorney Steven Kronick said “the AWA participated because it would get capacity,” and it needs to meet waste discharge requirements.
When the Sutter Creek treatment plant “went online, they were having trouble operating,” Mancebo said. “Since then, there have been changes to the agreement” by attorneys on both sides, and the city also hired a new attorney after Dennis Crabb retired.
Kronick said the agency needs “verification of additional capacity that was expected.” Mancebo said the “terms of the agreement are subject to the board’s approval, in my opinion.”
Vice President Debbie Dunn said the city “can speed it up on us,” and Mancebo said there is not a big rush or demand for new capacity, and the project “has not been the highest priority” for the agency.
Dunn said “this is a bargain” and “we don’t want to lose this,” and Mancebo agreed, but said he would like to spread the payments over time. Director Terence Moore suggested that they try to pay their share at the rate Sutter Creek is paying back its loan.
The board has a regular meeting 9 a.m. Thursday, and the agenda includes the agency’s reorganization. The board could also discuss a draft strategic plan, and could have an “update, discussion and possible direction to staff regarding the Wild and Scenic Designation” of the Mokelumne River.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
