Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Amador County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in taxes budget
Arroyo Ditch loan repayment
Plymouth paid back the $150,000 principal on its defaulted county loan and got a break on interest — $5,000 a year for three years — with money returning to the county's Water Development Fund.
Chief Probation Officer salary
The Board cut the incoming Chief Probation Officer's pay from $88.87 to $83 an hour on a 3-1 vote, over objections from the retiring chief, the incoming chief, and the Sheriff, who called it unfair to the first woman ever to hold the job. Supervisor Oneto framed it as fiscal necessity, not a statement about the new chief.
Structural budget deficit in FY 2026-27
The county adopted its final budget for the year, but the CAO told supervisors next year could start $3.5 million in the red thanks to rising PERS, health care, and insurance costs, plus slowing property and sales tax growth. Expect more cuts and hard conversations ahead.
Abandoned Vehicle Abatement fee on the ballot
The $1-per-vehicle fee failed in 2022, and the county has run out of money to tow junk cars and motor homes. Voters will decide again in November; the board flattened the fee to $1 for all vehicle types to improve its odds.
2026 Property Assessments and Slow Housing Growth
Assessments rose just over 3% countywide and only 55 new homes were built last year. More than half the county's homes aren't anyone's primary residence — inherited and vacant homes are a growing drag on neighborhoods and school enrollment.
Tax Collector/Treasurer transition
Longtime Treasurer-Tax Collector Elizabeth Nelson retires August 14; Candace Thomas, a nine-year county employee, takes over.
Park Use Fees and Waivers
Instead of every fee waiver request coming to the Board, GSA can now approve them using new hardship, community-benefit and in-kind volunteer criteria, with reports back to the Board during year one.
Grand Jury report criticizes Ione finances and Amador Transit contracting
The Grand Jury's annual report found Ione's financial audits roughly 1,300 days overdue, twelve city managers since 2010, and Amador Transit bus-wrap contracts not competitively bid. Entities have 90 days to respond. Plymouth was credited for cleaning up its act.
Nonprofit facility fee waivers need a policy
The SIR waiver exposed an ad hoc system: the county charges nonprofits like the Girl Scouts, Rotary, and churches to use county halls. Supervisors agreed to craft an overarching waiver policy — with criteria like financial hardship and community benefit — at the June 16 meeting.