Amador County – Amador Water Agency Board of Directors on Thursday voted to leave its participation fees the same for Amador Water System and authorized a study to look at a need for a regional water treatment plant.
Part of the action was that if the fee study comes back with a different fee amount, anyone who pays fees as of Thursday, Nov. 10 or after gets a refund of any fees paid over a lower amount, expected from the new study. The board voted 3-2 and ignored staff recommendations to lower the $11,300 fee to $8,000, recommended because AWA no longer considers building a regional water treatment plant, basis for part of the fee.
AWA Counsel Stephen Kronick said “the charge is not invalid” but it was staff’s opinion they should remove fees specific to the regional plant. He said “there is some question as to whether you need a regional plant in the future” but “that does not mean that the charge is invalid because three months from now,” the economy could take off. Kronick said the board has the discretion to revise or not revise the fee.
Director Gary Thomas said “I am not even convinced we don’t need this plant in Ione.” He moved to go forward with a new rate study, with either Bob Reed or someone else, and if they find they do not need the infrastructure, then they should refund part of the money.
Thomas, Board President Don Cooper and Director Art Toy voted for the new participation fee study. Director Paul Molinelli Senior said it was the board’s “responsibility to have rates reflect what our costs are.” He said any change “should have a twilight time” for a study.
Director Robert Manassero said the agency just purchased a used water treatment plant from Livermore to incrementally expand capacity, with plans to do the same at Tanner. He said: “I thought that was the direction we were going because of the bad economy and our cash position.”
Toy said maybe it’s time to have Reed make another study, noting that Reed’s 2004 study was modified in 2007 to use an “incremental method” for expansion. He suggested an “interim change while we get the real number evaluated.”
Thomas said he needed “to be assured that they have adequate water and don’t need a regional plant.” He said: “I don’t want to hear in a year that we need a regional plant.”
AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said it was a good suggestion to look at participation fees again. He also mentioned an unused pipeline at Preston that could help Ione’s capacity. Thomas said he had not heard of that option.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
