The fee determined by the legally required study was 8,670 dollars, however the recreation Agency Board opted to recommend half that amount, 4,300 dollars, to avoid so called “Sticker shock”. The City of Jackson decided to assess the full amount recommended under the study, 8670 dollars. Plymouth opted to access the $4,300 dollars. The cities of Sutter Creek and Ione are currently in the process of determining if they too will join the fee raise, and today the county made their decision after much discussion, primarily over the concerns of Supervisor Brian Oneto. Following a presentation by Towner Yep, Oneto asked several questions including if an economic impact study had been performed on the recreation master plan.  Towner Yep replied she had not performed one but easily could due to her experience at the state level performing such s tudies. Oneto expressed concerns about the costs of maintenance for the plan- estimated at approximately 4 million dollars. Towner Yep explained that getting a beautiful park is one thing but that maintaining that park is just as important as the initial construction. She explained that part of planning for parks and recreation is also the planning for the maintenance of those facilities. These expenses must be built into any plan.

Oneto asked about the maintenance section of the Master Plan which states one possibility for the payment of maintenance is a community assessment under the Landscaping and Lighting Act. This is an assessment that would be put to a vote of the people and could be designed to impact existing homeowners, new construction or both. The Amador County Board of Realtors was represented at the meeting expressing concern over the fees. The realtor contingent was against the fee raise to $4,300 because they felt it would impact the cost of housing in a negative manner. Rancher Robert Allen expressed concern over the fee asking if it would apply to the construction of farm labor/ ranch worker housing. The Board then crafted a motion that exemp ted this type of housing from the fee.   Ultimately Board Chair Supervisor Louis Boitano called for the vote with Supervisors Forster, Novelli and Escamilla voting in favor of a $4,300 dollar assessment. Supervisor Louis Boitano voted against the $4,300 assessment stating that he felt the board should implement the full 8670 dollar assessment as per the needs stated in the nexus study. Supervisor Oneto voted against the assessment stating “When I do the math, 4 million for maintenance, that equates to 120 dollars a year for every man, woman, and child in this county, and that turns my stomach.” According to Tracey Towner Yep “ I am very pleased with the Board’s decision.” Towner Yep states that it is community support that is driving ACRA’s success. A community that will benefit greatly from enhanced recreational opportunities states Yep