Amador County – Facing a potential $3.8 million budget deficit, Amador County Board of Supervisors opened a budget workshop Tuesday afternoon with discussions of potentially getting relief with changes in public works spending on roads and buildings.

Supervisors heard from Sheriff Martin Ryan, who said his department could meet the cuts needed by cutting two sheriff’s deputy vacancies that remain empty. He said it would be a $176,000 reduction and would affect 23 percent of patrolling operations. He said he would like to keep the vacancies open for the rest of the year as another option, because it will be difficult to get the positions back.

County Administrative Officer Chuck Iley said assessments were down 2 percent in the budget, from reduced values. He said: “There’s going to be one big reassessment this year,” the Sutter Gold Mining Company’s mines and properties. The rest are expected to be down 2 percent.

Ryan said one concern is always staffing numbers. He said the Amador County Sheriff’s Department normally has three cars on patrol but sometimes has two on duty.

Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster asked about retirement. Undersheriff Jim Wegner said in 5-6 years it was possible they would see a complete change in the experience, tenure and layout of the department.

Ryan said patrol boat costs at Camanche are $118,000. Supervisor Ted Novelli asked if East Bay Municipal Utility District has ever been asked for a grant to help with vehicles. Ryan said it has never been requested under his tenure. He said East Bay’s deputy has access to the Amador Sheriff’s boat when needed.

Forster asked why vehicles were not listed as assets on the sheriff’s department’s budget. Iley said vehicle costs list as General Services asset, and also county travel.

Forster asked about costs being proportionally higher because of the casino. Ryan said it is hard to track, but he met Monday April 30 with CEO Rich Hoffman of the Jackson Rancheria Casino. Ryan said the money that the Rancheria gives the sheriff’s department is completely voluntary and not part of a compact.

The tribe has given the Sheriff’s department $247,000 a year, voluntarily, since 2006. Ryan said the funds pay for two deputies and the lease, maintenance and gasoline of a vehicle. He said obviously costs are going up, and the jail impacts, shown in the daily jail booking rates, and fees are about $80,000 short. Ryan said he is confident that number is going to go up.

Forster said the tribe likes to see the numbers that can show impact. Ryan said he will see what he can justify with the hard data. He did “not see it impacting the number of bodies we need on the street.”

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