Plymouth city manager Gene Albaugh said the higher fee was, “A wise choice to ensure that new developments pay their fair share of their recreational impacts.” Plymouth citizen Stephanie McNair stated, “Jackson is expecting substantial growth in the near future. Plymouth, however does not have developers chomping at the bit to build here. I would just hate to see excessive fees stunt the growth of this city.” The nexus study designates 2 recreational priorities in the city: First, a New Park, estimated to cost $2,444,750, and Restoring and Upgrading Lodge Hill, estimated at $381,000. Tracy Towner Yep, ACRA executive director told the council that, “These prices seem expensive, but as much as I hate it, it’s just the way it is. Parks can be built buy the community, and have been in the past. There is only one problem: maintenance.

The Pine Grove community built their own park in the 70’s but have not been satisfied with the way it has been maintained, because it is always the same 10 people working on it and these volunteers get tired,” Yep stated, “Adopting the Nexus Study is the first step, the second step is taking care of maintenance operations, which can be done in many ways. Maintenance could not be included in the study because it is illegal to include maintenance in impact fees.” She also told the council that adopting the regional plan would require new developments outside of the city limits, but in the Plymouth region, to pay these impact fees as well. ACRA Madam Chairperson Debbie Dunn addressed the council stating, “This is a great opportunity for you. Amador County has been without a Recreation Agency for, literally, forever but it is a great opportunity because we are a government agency that has actually been set up right and even a step passed that, we are a Joint Powers Authority.

Dunn stated that all 5 municipalities plus the county and the school district are represented on the ACRA board and have the opportunity to come together, and they do. This is giving you freedom to do what you want as a city. Dunn further explained that the nexus study forms an umbrella for your recreation projects. You, as a city, can change those as you grow with new needs and ACRA will say ‘hey, great!’ and assist you with that. Building this agency with no county constraints will make this be a shining star agency.” The City Council adopted the 4,300 dollar per dwelling recreation impact fee. Tracy Towner Yep will be at board of supervisors’ chambers on January 30th looking for the county to adopt the recreational regional masterPlan, the Nexus Study and impact fees.