Amador County Television, TSPN TV, 5-10-12 -  "Foothill Critters" follows Susan Manning as she takes a tour of the Oak Gold Nubians Goat Ranch.

Amador County Television, TSPN TV, 5-10-12 - "Foothill Critters" follows Susan Manning as she takes a tour of the Oak Gold Nubians Goat Ranch.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-9-12 - Amador County Supervisor Richard Forster with the Supervisor Report on the meeting of 5-8-12.

Amador County – The Amador County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of a Plymouth man on charges stemming from a March 28 stabbing and shooting.

Rickie Ray Tigue, 56, of Plymouth was arrested Thursday, May 3 for assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury, criminal threats, and a special allegation of causing great bodily injury during the commission of a felony.

Undersheriff Jim Wegner released details Monday saying that at about 7:30 p.m. on March 28, the Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence on West Mitchell Mine Road to the report of a 59-year-old male that had been stabbed in the head by a 56-year-old friend. The victim responded to being stabbed by acquiring a shotgun and shooting at the suspect as he accessed his vehicle to leave.

The suspect was struck by the shot and fled the scene however he was later located on New York Ranch Road and subsequently flown to Mercy San Juan Hospital for treatment.

Amador County Sheriff’s Detectives conducted an investigation into the incident and forwarded their findings to the Amador County District Attorney’s Office. Based on the Sheriff’s Office investigation the District Attorney’s Office authored an arrest warrant which was authorized by Amador Superior Court Judge David Richmond.

The warrant ordered the arrest of Tigue. On May 3, after receiving the arrest warrant, Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies searched for and located Tigue.

Tigue was detained that morning as he drove on Highway 49 North of Sutter Creek and arrested without incident. Bail was set by Judge Richmond at $130,000.

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Amador County – Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission last week announced plans for a free training session for public officials and the public on May 29.

LAFCO is sponsoring the training for board members and others on May 29 at 2:45 PM in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at the county administration center, 810 Court Street in Jackson.

Public officials and each member of every special district’s board of directions are required by state law to complete ethics training. The training for Amador County districts will be provided at no cost to the participants. Speakers will also cover information about the Brown Act and open meetings laws and Fair Political Practices Commission regulations regarding disclosure and disqualification. The training lasts 2 hours.

In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to meet and network with other officials, share best practices, and request topics for future training sessions.

Members of community groups and the public are welcome to attend. Seating is limited, so an RSVP will allow LAFCO to hold seats and to prepare certificates for attending the training. For questions, or to RSVP, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (209)418-9377.

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Amador County – Amador County Supervisors on Tuesday voted 4-0 to direct staff to work on ballot measure language for a Transient Occupancy Tax increase on hotel and motel stays, and established an ad hoc committee to hold a public workshop with local stakeholders.

Supervisor Vice Chairman, presiding while Chair Louis Boitano is on medical leave, appointed Supervisors Ted Novelli and John Plasse to an ad hoc committee that will hold a public workshop. County Administrative Officer Chuck Iley said he received a measure used by Jim Conklin in Tuolumne County so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but he noted that it includes closing loopholes for camping and RVs to also charge taxes on those.

Plasse asked about exemptions for locals who may spend the season at resorts. Supervisor Vice Chair Richard Forster said locals stay the summer at resorts. County Tax Collector Mike Ryan said to collect the TOT tax, the hotel stay has to be 30 days or less. He noted that the county does not collect TOT on RVs or campgrounds and if you want to tax campgrounds you would have to amend the ordinance.

Plasse said he would like to create equity between the cities and the county, for different TOT taxes paid. Conklin said in recommending the increase, it was Amador County Business Council’s intent that all businesses that are eligible to pay should be paying. He said he has also had conversations with the Jackson Rancheria Casino about voluntary payment.

Leroy Carlin said the TOT tax increase would be used to promote more tourism but who pays for the traffic? He said when he builds a house, he pays a traffic impact fee, but “who pays for the impact of tourism?” He said they are not putting the fees he pays into promoting his business.

Amador Chamber of Commerce President Mark Borchin said it’s our money, our customers and our business associates and when people come and like it here, some eventually buy houses and move here.

Plasse said he knows the county TOT is below the state average, but he can’t argue with Carlin’s points. Plasse thought they might want to dedicate the money to economic development as a whole. He said if it turns toward tourism, they can’t ignore some of the more core industries of Amador County, such as natural and manufacturing resources.

Business Council President Jim Gullett said the one industry that brings in the most outside dollars is the wine industry, and branding Amador will help. He said it is important for Amador growers to keep ahead of Lodi, bring people here to sleep, help restaurants, and get more outstanding restaurants.

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Amador County – A Sutter Creek auditor has issued an opinion on 2009-2010 city books only with a disclaimer that its work is largely incomplete, due to financing accounts that have been not been reconciled.

City auditor Ingrid Sheipline of Richardson & Company said the audit found possible accounts that have not been reconciled in the past, “possibly even ever.” The best approach would be to issue an opinion only with a disclaimer, and footnotes that show a $1.2 million general fund deficit. She said city management has taken steps to move the city toward elimination of the deficit.

Sheipline said they believe that $3 million in Caltrans bridge repair funds were restricted, but $1.2 million of it was transferred to other accounts to cover debts. She said in 2010, the fund transfers were classified as loans, so they can begin repayment, and $900,000 in additional bridge funds were borrowed, making up the $2.1 million in borrowings from the “relinquishment fund.”

The audit, which started in April 2011, found 2006 sanitation authority funds from that were not previously recorded, and investment policy violations. Sheipline said a large number, 42 adjustments were identified, and they “decided to issue a disclaimer and cease requesting adjustments” in March.

Councilman Gary Wooten said he appreciated the really in-depth audit. Mayor Linda Rianda said if the city had a good audit in the past, they would have found the problems sooner and worked to resolve the issues. Councilman Jim Swift asked about a plan of action and helping to see that it is completed.

Sheipline said regular reports would help. City Manager Sean Rabe said some fixes are required by July and would not be a problem. Other changes are required by 2013.

Mike Kirkley asked about use of the restricted bridge funds. Wooten said only two of us were on the Council when the funds wee used. Councilman Tim Murphy said they were told at the time by ACTC and Caltrans that they were unrestricted general funds that could be used on all of the repairs, none of the repairs, or some of the repairs.

City Attorney Derek Cole said he looked at it and believes the funds are restricted, but after seeing the audit, “I believe the management letter calls for legal analysis.”

Wooten said “it was no big secret back door thing. We were told up front that the funds were unrestricted.” Rianda pointed out that the auditors also said “we are not attorneys,” when they made their opinion that the funds may be restricted. Wooten said he believes the auditors.

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Amador County – Amador County Supervisors on Tuesday heard support for increasing the county Transient Occupancy Tax on hotel and motel visits with a plan to use the money to promote the county.

Amador County Business Council President Jim Gullett of Vino Noceto recommended the revenue be used to attract more people to the county, who will spend more money here. He said marketing would be helped by “branding” Amador County, having a tight focus, and coordinating and leveraging key beneficiaries, those being the hospitality industry, the wine industry and towns.

Business Council Executive Director Jim Conklin recommended raising the TOT tax by 4 percent to 10 percent, disbursing the 6 percent existing TOT as it is now allocated, and putting the new 4 percent tax into a comprehensive marketing effort by one group, the Amador Council of Tourism.

Supervisor John Plasse said if the tax becomes more defined, the ballot measure could become a two-thirds majority. Conklin said an advisory ballot measure could accompany the TOT question. He said he has had success in a TOT tax increase in Tuolumne County in 2010, which now seeks a ballot measure to clear up loopholes and include all RV and trailer parks in the tax. He said Calaveras County has stayed away from TOT measures because they do not see the support for tourism.

Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster said there are some other people here today from Amador Chamber of Commerce, Mother Lode Tea Party, Republican Central Committee and Democratic Central Committee who need to get on board.

Amador Council of Tourism Board President, Tracey Towner said she had contacted all of the groups and “in concept there has been no opposition whatsoever.” Maurine Funk, executive director of ACT said her board had not voted on formal support, but is interested in a TOT increase.

Amador County Chamber of Commerce President Mark Borchin said the Chamber executive board has talked and “we’ve all agreed that we are behind this.” Borchin said Amador Council of Tourism “is a marketing entity that has proven it can reach outside of our community and bring folks in.”

The Tea Party’s Terry Nielson said “we’re against raising taxes of course, but we also have concerns about the health of this county,” and he needs to take it to his board. Supervisor Ted Novelli asked that Nielsen report back with the Tea Party board’s comments.

Forster said the Tea Party will be part of the workshop because they are stakeholders and they are a “block of people.”

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Amador County – The Amador County Chamber of Commerce plans its main benefit event of the year, the annual Chamber Benefit Golf Tournament for Friday, May 18 at Castle Oaks Golf Course in Ione.

Chamber office manager Diane Sherbourne also sent out a membership info “blast” that the tournament needs its members’ help. The event is the main fundraising event for Chamber, and it is a tax deductible donation because the Chamber is a non-profit organization.

Chamber members can do several things to help, including volunteering to help run the tournament. Members can also donate raffle prizes, and items for golfer packages, in amounts of 128 each, such as candy bars, golf balls, pens, hand towels, gift certificates or discounts for businesses. 

Members can also enter to play golf. The $85 per player includes 18 holes of golf with dinner, a golf cart, range-balls and prizes. People can also become a hole sponsor for $100 to advertise their businesses. And for $400, members can buy a Company Package which includes a foursome for golf, and a Hole Sponsor package.

Other sponsorship opportunities include the Gold, Silver and Bronze packages, and members can get more information by contacting the Chamber office for details. Volunteers will make a call to follow up in the near future.

Visit the Amador County Chamber of Commerce at 115 Main Street in Jackson for information, or call (209) 223-0350.

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Amador County – Amador County Business Council members on Tuesday voiced support for a Transient Occupancy Tax increase on hotel and motel visits.

Amador County Board of Supervisors directed staff to start a draft of a proposed ballot measure, and Supervisor Richard Forster appointed an ad hoc committee to hold public workshops on the issue.

The Business Council’s Jim Conklin recommended a 4 percent increase to add to the current 6 percent TOT tax, which he said could be called a “Tourist” tax. He recommended the 4 percent go to Amador Council of Tourism. Several group representatives spoke in favor, including Chamber President Mark Borchin. Conklin recommended the funds go to promote tourism.

Supervisor John Plasse said all groups should be included in the workshop and give input, including the Mother Lode Tea Party, the Democratic and Republican committees, the Chamber and the Business Council. Plasse said the funds might also “dedicate the money to economic development as a whole.”

Al Bozzo of the Business Council and Amador Realtors Association said wine-related agriculture is the most important industry in Amador, and the more money we have in the pot, the more money we have to pay for infrastructure.

Bozzo compared wine regions, saying Lodi is a sleeping giant, and Napa has a multi-million dollar marketing budget that “we can’t match, but we can get our fair share.” 

Maurine Funk, executive director of the Amador Council of Tourism said she had spoken informally with all of the local groups and all of the discussions have been positive. She said Calaveras County has been unwilling to go to the ballot to try to raise their 6 percent TOT tax, because they feel they do not have the support for tourism. She said: “I think it’s an easy sell for us.”

Supervisor Ted Novelli said it would not be easy if people get the wrong idea about the tax, because of the large number of elders in the population. He said Amador County is among the top three counties in per capita retirees. He said when they hear “tax,” the hair stands up on the back of their necks. He said don’t use it, it is a bad word.

Forster said they should emphasize that people who live here do not pay the Transient Occupancy Tax. Only visitors pay it, as part of their hotel and motel fees. Bozzo said “no resident from Amador County is going to be touched.” He said visitors pay the TOT in hotels, and the promotional money will help all businesses.

Conklin urged following the same timeline as Tuolumne County, which seeks a measure to close tax loopholes on camping and RV visitors. He said they would need to decide on the language by around June 21 to make the November ballot.

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