The City of Jackson recently discussed the formation of a new ad hoc committee or taskforce for developing an economic development strategy for the City of Jackson. During the review of committee assignments for this year, the concept of a special committee or task force to address local economic development issues was discussed as several factors are impacting the local economy. Many of which according to Daly are resulting form the recent development of the Martell Business Park.

Discussions surrounding drilling a new service well in the Camanche area returned at last Thursday’s AWA’s meeting as the price of constructing the well was well over what the agency had estimated to spend. Manager of Engineering and Planning Gene Mancebo had received direction from the board of directors to proceed with the bidding process giving staff the authority to approve a contract to the lowest bidder, well expected to be under the overestimated figure of $100,000. Mancebo said that he didn’t expect bids to come in near as high as $100,000, but had thrown the number out there so that staff could expedite the process and approve a contract with out having to come back to the board for approval.

The U.S. Agriculture Department on Tuesday declared Amador and Calaveras counties primary disaster areas. This will now make local farmers and ranchers eligible for low-interest emergency loans. The USDA said Amador and Calaveras counties both experienced unseasonably cold temperatures combined with drought like conditions this year. This move by the USDA also makes six additional counties in California also eligible for assistance because they are close to the primary disaster areas, Amador and Calaveras Counties. The USDA's Farm Service Agency said farmers have eight months to apply for emergency loans to help cover part of the financial loss of their crops. Each loan application will be reviewed based on the extent of losses and the ability to repay the loan, the agency said.

This weekend the weather was absolutely perfect for the Jackson Lions Club’s Annual Dandelion Days event. The event is an important fundraiser for the Lions Club with the majority of the proceeds going to local scholarships and donations to local organizations. Main Street Jackson was packed with booths, vendors and people both Saturday and Sunday as crowds this year were heavier than the last few years which saw inclement weather conditions.

A Conditional Hiring Review, or hiring freeze, was reviewed by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. CAO Patrick Blacklock explained that as noted in the Midyear Budget Update the General Fund revenue growth rate has decreased significantly, and additionally the Department of Finance reported recently that the actual State revenues are less than what was projected. The “warning signs” said Blacklock, “compel staff to recommend that a conditional hiring review be implemented at this time.” The goal of the program is to determine which positions need to be filled immediately and what positions can remain vacant for a period of times to increase salary savings leaving more flexibility in the budget.

Thursday’s Amador Water Agency meeting was packed with concerned developers as the agency broached the subject of the collection of participation fees. General Manager Jim Abercrombie introduced the item by saying it is a said the discussion item only and that no decision will be made. He then explained that “There are a number of capitol improvements that we need to implement by 2010.” He said they have begun to research collecting participation fees from developers so it reduces the amount that the agency must borrow for the projects. He then gave background on how the agency has handled similar situations in the past as well as past codes and resolutions that collected fees. Prior 1993 Participation fees were due 30 days from the date of the filing of the final map for projects. In 1993 the Board of Directors approved a Resolution which allowed the applicant or developer to pay Participation Fees at the time of the initial lot sale, prior to obtaining a building permit, or at the time of application for water service, whichever occurred first. This also included a provision that all or a portion of the participation fees must be paid on or before the final approval of a final map or final approval of the project if the Board of Directors, by resolution, determined that such early payment is necessary in order to provide water service to the subdivision project.

These days we hear a lot about zoning and planning and the new General Plan Updates. Traffic, housing density, oak woodlands protection, light pollution and so much more are being discussed in every corner of the county but perhaps the least known part of the General Plan for the County is the subject of energy. The General Plan Committee recently released their working paper on energy. Why is energy being studied? The answer to that question according to the energy paper is that a review of energy data is essential to understanding the energy needs of County residents and thereby accomplishing the vision to conserve, enhance, use and protect mineral, water, air, soil, and other natural resources. The working paper on energy itself will serve as a foundation for updating or creating goals, policies, and programs related to energy and its use in the Amador County General Plan.

Are you interested in serving your county in a capacity that looks toward the future growth of our area? The Amador Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) will be appointing a new Alternate Public Member to a 4-year term, running from January 2007 to February 2011. Applicants must be a resident and registered voter in Amador County and cannot be a city, district or County official of any public agency within Amador County. Those seated on LAFCO are subject to the Fair Political Practices Act and must file an annual conflict of interest statement.

Local officials received a mixed reception last week when they made a lobbying trip to the State Capitol to discuss local issues surrounding Mule Creek State Prison. The County’s lobbyist Wes Loujan set up appointments for Supervisors Novelli and Forster, as well as County Counsel Martha Shaver to meet with budget staff for both the assembly and senate, and staff from the governor’s office. County Counsel Martha Shaver explained the reason for the trip.

“Our purpose in going down was not to have a particular proposal, but rather before things start getting really hot and heavy in the legislative session to just have these people who are dealing with prison issues and budget matters aware of the particular problems that we are having in Amador County and the commitments that have been made to us by both secretary Tilton (who is the secretary of the CDCR) and the Warden of Mule Creek (Richard Subia) about their willingness to address the problems.”  She continued by saying that, “We wanted to make sure we had that kind of commitment on the administrative side that the legislature would be willing to assist us in backing up those …what we hope are promises that we will see come to pass.”

The Amador Water Agency’s proposed rate increase has continued to dominate discussions at the Jackson City Council, and the meeting tonight will be no exception. Tonight, Jackson City Manager Mike Daly is expected to provide information on the analysis of how the proposed increase will impact Jackson’s ratepayers. The City of Jackson currently purchases treated water from the AWA.  Traditionally the AWA has proposed rate increases of about 7% so when the City received the Agency’s Financial Plan and Water Rate Study in April that proposed an initial 22% raise and a yearly 12% increase for the next three years, they were shocked.