Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday approved several responses to the 2009-2010 Grand Jury report that are due by the end of the year, along with a contract extension for related finance work.

Among the responses due December 31st was one to a finding that suggests Sutter Creek sewer enterprise funds were transferred to the general fund, “once in the amount of $24,250, another in the amount of $220,000.” The report said there was “no evidence that either of these transfers were paid back, as required” by the state Constitution.

A draft response was approved by the council without discussion Monday. It said: “Due to ongoing issues within the finance department, this issue has not been addressed by the new finance director.” It said the “finance director will research and respond to this issue by the first meeting in January.”

New Finance Director Joe Aguilar also received an adjustment to his contract adding $18,000, which the council approved after discussion.

Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy said the “scope of work is clearly defined” and is related to audit recommendations and Grand Jury items, which are “not being taken care of quickly enough,” and Aguilar is “already overextended.”

Councilwoman Linda Rianda said Aguilar “can’t get to day-to-day items” because of the work he is doing. City Manager Sean Rabe said Aguilar is constantly finding more problems that must be addressed.

Aguilar said bank statements are tied up in the accounts, by “variances” that date back to July 2009. He is “basically redoing work that should have been done in the prior year.” He said he did not do that work, “and can’t vouch for it.” He did not mean that it was in error, but it was still work that needed to be done.

As an example, he said one accounts payable lists $100,000 owed for June to the Public Employees Retirement System, but that was not actually owed. Aguilar said “other accounts accumulate amounts, and we don’t know why it’s occurring, and we won’t know why it’s occurring until we do this reconciliation.”

The council approved the contact change, and directed staff to bring back the necessary budget amendment for approval.

Councilwoman Sandra Anderson said: “We’re doing what the public and the Grand Jury wanted us to do, which is to find bigger problems.” She said “we’re still saving money,” once “we get this cleaned up.” Murphy said he would recommend funding come from contingencies, and the council agreed in making the direction.

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