Amador County – At a workshop Thursday, the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors voted to make slight changes to the agency “Vision Statement,” which was revised by the previous board.

Board President Don Cooper said, part of the revisions still gives him “heartburn,” and that was the part that said, their vision was to “achieve affordable rates.” Cooper said, the board is preparing to ask customers to pay higher rates, “and I think we’re setting ourselves up for criticism”, because “we will raise rates.” He said the term, “affordable rates” does not mean the same thing to individual customers, because what is affordable depends on the finances of each person.

Cooper suggested removing that phrase “affordable rates,” and instead saying that, they wish to “achieve and maintain financial solvency, through responsible planning and management.”

Director Art Toy said his vision was to turn over the operation of the agency, to its professional staff, for the setting of priorities, projects and budgets, and take it out of the hands of the “amateurs.” He also noted that the Vision Statement did not contain a verb. Director Robert Manassero suggested the word “ensure.” And Cooper suggested changing a phrase, saying that they meet the county’s “demands,” to instead say that they, “meet Amador County needs.”

They also suggested and removed the term “transparency” from the Vision Statement, saying it was a catchall phrase, was part of state law, and was also included in the Mission Statement, which was left unchanged.

They voted 5-0 to approve the new Vision Statement, which gave as its purpose: “To ensure long term management of water resources, and systems to meet Amador County needs, and maintain financial solvency, through responsible planning and management.”

Director Paul Molinelli Senior asked about the Mission Statement addressing and protecting the environment, and why that should be included, because it was already “incorporated in law.”

Cooper said it was the duty of the board to “be good stewards of the water,” and it “helps bridge a relationship” between the agency and environmental groups, such as the Foothill Conservancy.

General Manager Gene Mancebo said there are certain laws they need to follow, and there is also a movement, that is not law but that looks toward protecting the watershed. He said “that’s just part of the movement where people are going,” to protect water quality.

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