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AWA to Work with Camanche on Cost Reductions |
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Wednesday, 24 February 2010 |
 Amador County – The Amador Water Agency will talk with homeowners to determine how to cut costs in Camanche Water District Number 7, after residents Monday presented a Proposition 218 petition to protest a rate hike. AWA Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said the AWA board of directors “accepted the petition without verification and just assumed that it was correct.” He said they felt it had adequate information and the 439 signatures were valid. Mancebo said the AWA “will consolidate all of the issues raised by the public” on Monday, then meet with homeowner representatives and see if there are some reductions in costs they can make to “right the budget” without raising rates. He said Lake Camanche Homeowners Association President “Michael Krisman indicated he will be a primary point of connection,” representing the homeowners’ board. Mancebo assumed the board would work with a committee, likely including Director Gary Thomas, who represent’s District 2. Krisman told the AWA board Monday that he would like to look at workers’ pay in Camanche District 7, and “see what deal we can make toward a real solution.” AWA 2009-2010 operating expenses for Camanche District 7 total $452,000, including $278,00 in salary and benefits, for 4-and-a-half “full time equivalent” employees, plus $108,000 for system operations and maintenance costs, and $66,000 in administrative expenses. Krisman said “we need to know how you are spending our money.” He said they did not know the AWA board’s “structure,” “who you are accountable to, and for what.” Finance Manager Mike Lee said AWA’s overall budget was reduced by $900,000 this year, and Camanche District 7’s budget was reduced by $123,000. Mancebo said AWA took over Camanche District 7 in 2003, and started operating for Amador County for 1 or 2 years, before the county handed it over to AWA. Lee said the AWA received $481,000 from the county, including $472,000 for capital replacement. Repairs and upgrades included new Well # 14, costing $404,000. Mancebo expected they would meet in the next 30 days with Camanche representatives. Story by Jim Reece
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 February 2010 )
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