Jackson – The Amador County Recreation Agency board of directors next month will consider taking over operation of the Sutter Creek Duck Race. The board last Wednesday heard a pitch from current the Duck Race manager about taking over the 26-year-old fundraiser. Lisa Koslowski of the Sutter Creek Business Association told the board it might be a good opportunity for ACRA Executive Director Tracy Towner-Yep and her staff to take the reins. Koslowski said her Association took over running the Duck Race 2 years ago, and she runs it with about 6 volunteers, and the Amador High School “S” Club. It costs about $25,000 to put on and it brings in about $60,000, she said, but “the more people you have out there selling tickets, the more you make.” Board Chairman Lee Ard asked if the operation cost was paid up front. Koslowski said it comes out of the proceeds. She said another way to offset expenses is to get more sponsors. The Sutter Creek Business Association made about $2,500 last year, with the least amount of “beneficiaries” they have ever had. Beneficiaries are nonprofit organizations. They team up to sell Duck Race tickets, and split the proceeds after prize payouts, with money divided based on the number of tickets each group sells. She said the Duck Race had a “Million Dollar Duck” last year, and an insurance policy that would have paid out the grand prize if someone won it. Koslowski said the Duck Race can trim costs on bands, and they “dropped the ball” last year “by not having ticket locations in our communities.” The race is the last Saturday in April, and consists of rubber duck races down Sutter Creek, with sponsorship of ducks, and prizes for winners and placers. Board Member Michael Vasquez asked if Towner-Yep was up for taking over the Duck Race. Towner-Yep said she it needed consideration, discussion and thought, and she said it should be agendized and brought back. Koslowski said the Duck Race is “well organized and has a good time line.” Board member Richard Forster said he would “like to look at clearing somewhere around $10,000 before we take this over,” and would like to see if the board can “visualize” doing that. He said Towner-Yep should come back to the board “next month with everything on paper.” Board member Debbie Dunn said they could look at the timeline and hours to see what volunteers can do, and how many staff hours ACRA would need to run the Duck Race. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.