Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week got what they asked for – the brutal numbers involved in having zero percent rate increases for fiscal year 2009-2010. Option “A” of, one of 3 options staff gave the board, would cost 17 employees their jobs in order to realize 0 percent increases. It would also cause a $118,000-dollar deficit in contingency funds of 4 systems including Martell and general wastewater, and Camanche and LaMel water. Option “B” suggested 4 percent increases across the board in all AWA systems, along with 14 job layoffs. It would also cause $114,000 dollars in deficits in those same 4 systems. Option “C” recommended a 15 percent increase in Martell wastewater rates, and an 8 percent rate increase in all other systems. It would also cause a $164,000-dollar deficit in the 4 contingency funds, and would require the layoff of 4 AWA employees. Finance Manager Mike Lee gave a presentation on Option “C”, and the board asked questions. Director Bill Condrashoff asked if they would also go through Options “B” and “A”. He pointed out a $30,000-dollar error in a Camanche system, in the budget, and he wanted to go through the Martell budget line items to see if there were any problems in it. Lee adjusted a percentage rate, and it lowered the budget numbers in a few areas. Condrashoff also asked why the details of budget items were not shown. General Manager Jim Abercrombie said the board asked for the budget “at summary level.” Condrashoff directed Lee to adjust the wastewater system budget, in effect reducing it by $27,000 dollars. Abercrombie said “you would be removing about half of an (plant) operator.” Board Chairman Terence Moore said “I think we’re getting nowhere fast,” and he “cut to the chase,” and asked to “see how many votes we have to pass Option “C,” so they could recommend changes and have staff go and revise that option. Director Gary Thomas said he was likely to vote for Option “C,” but was not yet satisfied with the numbers. Moore said “we’re going to micro-manage this thing to death.” They did agree to drop the Martell rate increase from 25 to 15 percent, Director Debbie Dunn said. Moore reminded the board that it would still face hearings for rate increases. Thomas said he needed to “justify the numbers.” The Option “C” layoffs would include 2 temporary engineering positions; a customer service tech/utility clerk; and a staff engineer. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.