Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council approved an unbalanced 2009-2010 budget amid criticism Monday, and also looked at grading plans for the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Ed Arata criticized the city for paying for 88 percent of city employees out of its sewer funds. And Dan Riordan asked why the city council would consider approving a budget with a $250,000 deficit, and why it is not balancing the budget. Mayor Gary Wooten said the city is in the process of balancing it, and “a lot of employees are no longer here.” He said “we don’t want to operate in a deficit and we’ve taken some drastic steps, personnel-wise,” which “will pay off in the long run.” Finance Director Jeff Gardner said the budget included “an extraordinary item,” a “1-time buyout of 2 employees,” for $105,000. Arata criticized the city council for borrowing from its General Fund, which he said has an $800,000 deficit. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Murphy said he would like to add to the resolution passing the budget the notation that the city is looking into contracting for services and “collaborating with other agencies” to save money. Councilman Pat Crosby said he opposed to the original budget, which had only minor changes, and he will “continue to vote ‘no’ on an unbalanced budget.” He opposed it in the 4-1 vote to approve the budget. In other Sutter Creek news, City Council Grading subcommittee members Crosby and Councilwoman Sandy Anderson recommended changes in grading, which were added to the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort specific plan. The changes, based on grading maps provided by Gold Rush, included a section on “land form grading,” and pointed out commercial grading areas, for the golf course and clubhouse. Crosby said: “I think we’ve made giant strides since we started a couple of weeks ago,” and “the developer should be commended.” Consultant Anders Hauge said the grading included for utilities, water and sewer, in limited areas of designated open space in the project. Anderson said both Planning Commissioners, Chairman Robin Peters and Frank Cunha agreed with suggestions, but said they “did not represent the commission.” Peters said the amendments added about 150 acres to the “general grading” category, which includes single-family detached residential areas. Anderson said: “If we approve this project, we want it to work.” Cunha said they “would like to have had those maps at the planning commission level.” Murphy said the committee did a great job. With a consensus, the council directed staff to make changes to the specific plan. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.