Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors at the end of January approved staff work to finish an application for a $2 million grant to build a small diameter water pipeline in the former Amador Canal, to serve about 100 customers.

The AWA board approved spending engineering staff time to provide additional information to complete an application for a Proposition 50 Small Community Water Systems Facilities grant. The grant would reduce the financial impact on customers for placing a small diameter pipeline along the Amador Canal from Lake Tabeaud to New York Ranch Reservoir, Mancebo said, “the last major step in completing the Amador Transmission Pipeline.”

That final step would continue to provide water to about 100 customers. The Board vote was 4-1 with District 4 Director Robert Manassero opposed.

Also at the Jan. 28 meeting, the AWA directors unanimously approved filling the controller position left open by retiring controller Ann Barre. Directors discussed changing the benefit package for the new hire was agreed it would take too long, since a new benefits package would have to go through employee negotiations, and a controller was needed as soon as possible. Directors also sent the issue of employee compensation for new hires and existing staff to the Agency Personnel Committee.

The board next meets 9 a.m. Thursday, and will discuss a budget review of the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2010. They will also look at the status of budget reductions and cost savings, and review cash flow projections and the status of capital projects. The board will also see a review of budget variances, and a report on actual versus budgeted salaries.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.