By Jim Reece -

The Plymouth City Council heard Tuesday that its draft budget for 2008-2009 included 404,000 dollars in planning work, 324,000 dollars of which was reimbursable. Finance Director Jeff Gardner presented the draft budget at a city council workshop, with General Plan Update budgeting taking the biggest bite out of non-refundable spending at a cost of 40,000 expected for the current fiscal year. Gardner also budgeted 4,500 dollars for Public Assistance, 5,600 for on-site staff meetings, 2,300 for graphics, 2,000 for Economic Development and 1,500 for design guidelines. The reimbursable planning budget included the biggest cost of 74,000 dollars for 4 sub-consultants, staff review and coordination of work on the Highway 49 and Main Street intersection.

Other big ticket planning items included 43,600 dollars each for project processing and California Environmental Quality Act documentation for three projects – Shenandoah Springs, Oak Glen and the Shenandoah Valley Community Center. Four housing developments were budgeted for 21,000 dollars each for project processing, excluding CEQA documentation. They are Reeder-Sullivan’s Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge housing projects, Arroyo Woods and Cottage Knoll. Gardner’s budget mentioned the Ione Band of Miwok Indians’ Casino project, with a budget unknown, at city direction, with a question mark about whether or not any planning work would be reimbursable. Likewise was the case for Mitch Lubenko property litigation.