Amador County – The Plymouth City Council heard from Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan on Tuesday that funds the city pays for police service are probably not adequate, and Plymouth “probably agrees.”

Interim City Manager Jeff Gardner said Wednesday that a $500 fee per year, per home fee that is in a development agreement for the Reeder Sutherland residential developments. City Development Director Richard Prima will work with Undersheriff Jim Wegner and will talk about service levels for the city. They will be gathering information on special taxes for public safety they have in other jurisdictions. Gardner said the number could change, but he did not think it would.

Gardner said the public safety “Community Facilities District” discussed in the Development Agreement would be a special tax area, formed by the developer, and charge $500 home, and $50 per lot, per year. He said it would probably be the only dedicated police and fire money in the county.

Gardner said the “Sheriff was concerned that we only have $100,000 to spend now,” and after annexations and growth, that could affect service. Gardner said the hope is they will get more revenue coming into the city, and they can get more COPS funding. He said it is up to the City Council to determine how the Public Safety CFD funding is split between police and fire.

Ryan on Tuesday addressed the council and was “discussing police services and how much we pay, and that he thought it was not really adequate, and we probably agree with him,” Gardner said.

Another public workshop on Reeder Sutherland’s projects will be held during the next regular City Council meeting, which has been moved to Sept. 29, the last Thursday of the month.

Gardner said staff will address issues brought up by the Council, including a debate whether or not the council would like Bob Reeder to build a regional park in lieu of collecting park & recreation fees. One council member also asked if Reed could pay cash up front to fund water fund overages, in effect giving him credit for prepaid impact fees.

City Engineer Roark Weber will also be asked to comment on road standards in city code. The city attorney, who has been involved in writing the Development Agreement, will be asked to provide related information.

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