Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 in a special meeting Monday to approve a resolution that would reduce the county workforce by about 25 full time equivalent positions.
The resolution would affect about 34 positions in 16 departments in the overall county budget, though some of those positions are already vacant, and others would be left empty by retirement and not refilled. The resolution was approved with a footnote to revisit the position changes after a potential restoration of $1.1 million in Education Revenue Augmentation Funds that at present is part of the Governor’s budget. It is part of $1.5 million in “triple flip” money that Amador County and its cities would get back if the budget is approved.
Supervisors passed the resolution with job cuts and layoff notices because the funding is not guaranteed. Supervisor Richard Forster testified before the state Senate and Supervisor John Plasse testified before the Assembly last week to tell of the toll on the county. The workforce reduction would be 29 positions, and about 24.76 full-time equivalent positions.
Forster said both budget subcommittees approved the budget, which now goes to a full vote. County Administrative Officer Chuck Iley said both passed the budget unanimously, and it should not be derailed unless it was politically affected.
Iley said there are certainly good arguments to include the $1.1 million in the budget, and good arguments not to. Supervisors voted to have Iley and county department heads work on a list of positions to restore if funding is restored to the county, but approved the layoff resolution.
Iley said reductions included one sheriff dispatch position that is vacant, one civil engineer position that is vacant, and two maintenance supervisor positions that are retiring and wouldn’t be replaced. The Public Health Director position is also vacant, he said, and the Health Services Director position would change the “chain of command” from administration to services.
A General Services print shop assistant would also retire and not get replaced, as would the University Cooperative Extension 4-H Coordinator.
Supervisor Brian Oneto asked if Iley could put the list together before the end of the month and fiscal year, if ERAF funds are restored. Iley said he has heard the board say what it preferred for cuts.
Oneto said he would favor moving forward as if they were not getting the money then change the budget when they learn if it is certain.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
