[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6612772,"mediaKeyId","2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11","parentId",2887374,"title","City finance manager warns of multi-year shortfall; council told to prioritize revenue","audioSeconds",809,"startMs",5220000,"endMs",6029000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11&start=5220&end=6029","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11/thumbnail_5220000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612772/California/City-finance-manager-warns-of-multi-year-shortfall-council-told-to-prioritize-revenue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612772-d5a66cec2713a313cec088580e912a44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160589&Signature=eKQNFK~xn5DEIDY62PBYeg6WyeRgWRt51o8hKaqDvMzjIKx8mSb3te02Q3dVxNDsCcITb204mt4QFQYvAiNCPmyXB~HZHZ~LxPwWNYt89wXZf1g8fhazn3c~-1JlAmMBM76Zl9JzJkD~Qt9MfczCgN5o4oMgvhAA977EyrSAdTpqLWSBlzRfqyXs4D9L9Q-3ImKuEWkB87F3D5x-AcnauFxwSTwLWhQ-hxdgY9YSs3kv5GR0Jgzbh7Q97eCDQyZrvHw7gJ1xQh~IwJb3cWWWKFZEFC2s~EMvBpAD8LX8rBdV63hUUhNlbgKE33mLrqf-iEPXMOp4frz7lZOCrVLRBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-05T19:37:02.9Z","article","The council received a presentation of a draft budget framework that staff said would leave the city with a multi-year structural shortfall if new revenue is not secured. Michael Ormsbee, the city’s outgoing finance manager, told the council the city faces a roughly $2 million shortfall in 2025-26 and an ongoing $1.1–1.5 million annual gap thereafter unless new revenue sources are found.

Ormsbee and staff outlined that the city had benefited in recent years from one-time COVID-era and building-related revenues, and that those sources are now largely exhausted. He said cost-cutting alone would be insufficient and recommended an aggressive revenue strategy, including taking every reasonable grant, pursuing sales-tax-generating development and considering changes to sewer rates.

Staff signaled a likely sewer rate study and a planned increase in monthly sewer charges discussed in the meeting that could raise the sewer fee from around the current level toward roughly $69 per month; staff emphasized that enterprise funds for sewer must be self-supporting and that the last sewer rate increase dated to 2004.

Council members and public commenters debated trade-offs between delaying capital projects and incurring higher long-term costs. Multiple members urged pursuing new revenue streams and grants. Finance staff said they are restructuring internal interfund accounting and will present more detailed budget proposals and rate studies in coming meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council 4/1/25","oneSentenceSummary","Interim staff presented a draft summary budget showing a roughly $2 million shortfall for FY 2025-26 and recommended a revenue-first strategy to avoid structural deficits, including a planned sewer rate increase and pursuit of sales-tax-generating development.","taxTitle","Ione, Amador County, California","taxId",79263,"location","California","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6612775,"City moves forward with wastewater PLC upgrade after staff warns of repeated failures; tracer study and sand-filter work underway",1967,3246000,5213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11&start=3246&end=5213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11/thumbnail_3246000.jpg","/articles/6612775/California/City-moves-forward-with-wastewater-PLC-upgrade-after-staff-warns-of-repeated-failures-tracer-study-and-sand-filter-work-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612775-5ac0ccf388993ad33ba682dabe443452/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160589&Signature=MVRRnSYjaIP94MWKYEvjky2rLj3X3CSUqTWGs5Sf84snuQBUa1gugpJ17Gx-KwI~SfrFvtj6o20TFNPUupRKbOa3x-bcV7tYnR7TDIeLhU-hcdFGLgtszr-s8Y3ss2QqVgcuKsQmrXmKxCUI7w~3ABDIwkgWx2aWj-3-OzUHH-GnPhiNaO7CWCuvQfU3ePIi0caLVucq9afakTWsq0gW3IvdQI7w-QDIof0KIKyW3zF5igfh4j1ZANX3MN6weOSbOPztI6oXBn3s5kFX9htByTAsvCxLD4B0HsedpFrRp0SmiYRnhizNKk8J0wd0JvWj7-ToHZa36HjQbY1bYZNN2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ione City Council authorized staff to proceed with purchasing a new programmable logic controller (PLC) and associated SCADA upgrades for the municipal wastewater system, after staff described multiple PLC failures during recent storms and warned of potential sewage spills if controls failed.

Justin (wastewater staff) told the council the current PLC is more than 30 years old, parts are no longer available and the controller failed multiple times during a recent winter storm, requiring manual resets and technician callouts. He told the council a full failure would create “serious public health and safety” risks by causing pump stations to lose communications and possibly resulting in sewage discharges.

Staff said the proposed upgrade comes from Waterstone Services and will complete roughly 40% of a broader SCADA modernization at a fraction of an earlier estimate. The council approved the purchase and directed staff to proceed through normal procurement processes. One council member recused themself from the vote.

Separately, staff reported on other wastewater actions: crews are in the final stages of a Title 22 tracer study required for recycled-water/effluent compliance; sand-filter rehabilitation is underway with parts expected to arrive within weeks; and staff are preparing documentation to satisfy a cleanup and abatement order related to previously piled solids at the plant. Justin said the city has receipts for hauling solids and expects to submit them to the state as part of closure of that order.

Staff urged the council not to delay the controller replacement, saying the city could face fines and increased risks if alarms and remote monitoring are not improved. Public commenters and several council members supported approving the purchase, citing the risk of more expensive emergency responses or regulatory penalties if the system fails again.","Council authorized purchase of a programmable logic controller (PLC) and related SCADA upgrades for the town’s wastewater treatment system after staff described repeated PLC failures during storms; staff also reported progress on sand-filter rehabilitation, a Title 22 tracer study and steps to resolve a regional cleanup and abatement order.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6612780,"Ione council authorizes application for Amador Water Agency grant to convert Picnic Hill turf and repair irrigation",730,1959000,2689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11&start=1959&end=2689","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11/thumbnail_1959000.jpg","/articles/6612780/California/Ione-council-authorizes-application-for-Amador-Water-Agency-grant-to-convert-Picnic-Hill-turf-and-repair-irrigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612780-1fc6306f4fe916c57fd59a6ba4df1cc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160589&Signature=iL~gaCxtAzcPjXoYD397m87cbupL8V~wgIZQryzfOWMBOkWFkp1kUGjMfMAk8cHqV9owC4ugCYinTdecI485hG43FidNc751LuMlPef-NXRB8XHhwhGIaDQYwuqHKBwkHGLJCEp5ebNy6q7CbUDD4WZhX4FkZLCy8WAE~V2FGDgb-08G61D0ALj9pzWVp388larnFpUnwWLzqW2GzaYzm2Qs17owbvlYFSLgDwHYGBPf6B3g52QPQySU760XYdFC741aG9v1MGmjg5rkuE7yDUKwdsBEbpTmPAXVeD5T6nIvSxaXLN3-NS075X6XSqfIbJ3~o~V73qyXbXskqdcmYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ione City Council voted to approve submitting an application to the Amador Water Agency for a water-conservation grant to convert turf at Howard Park’s Picnic Hill to lower-water landscaping and to repair leaking sports-field irrigation.

City Manager George Lee introduced the item and Parks staff member Debbie Mackey provided the proposal to remove roughly 137,000 square feet of turf at Picnic Hill. Mackey described a plan that would relocate the existing stage, add pathways and parking (including accessible spaces), incorporate rockscaping and nature areas, and construct a smaller amphitheater with a backstage building to provide electricity and storage for events.

Mackey said the proposal would allocate $95,000 of the grant toward repairing and replacing older sports-field irrigation components to reduce water loss. She told the council the grant is reimbursement-based: the city would use park impact fee funds up front and seek reimbursement once the work is inspected and accepted.

Andrea (staff) said the city’s park impact fee fund balance is about $1.1 million and could be used to front the project until reimbursement arrives. Council members asked about procurement and local bidding; staff confirmed a normal competitive bidding process would follow if the grant is awarded.

Public commenters from the Castle Oaks area and local recreation groups urged prompt action, highlighted the need to fix field sprinklers and accessible parking, and said they supported the plan. Council members who spoke praised the proposal as more broadly useful than an earlier turf-conversion request and noted the potential for revenue from events, concerts and weddings.

Councilors voted to authorize submittal of the application and authorized the city manager to execute the funding agreement if the grant is awarded. Staff said the deadline for applications was imminent and asked to proceed quickly.","Council approved submitting a water-conservation grant application to remove approximately 137,000 sq ft of turf at Howard Park's Picnic Hill, build an amphitheater and dedicate $95,000 of grant funds to repair sports-field irrigation; the city manager was authorized to sign a funding agreement if awarded.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":79,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":82,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6612785,"Votes at a glance: council withdraws censure item, approves park grant application and wastewater controller purchase",2574,5820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2887374-f5724d1ac8ca0bbc1acf6884ef796c11&start=3246&end=5820","/articles/6612785/California/Votes-at-a-glance-council-withdraws-censure-item-approves-park-grant-application-and-wastewater-controller-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612785-86770756bedad12f0e4445e51ab3e9aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160589&Signature=ljP4Ooh6QFoYfR1IsygtNZeye3DQOy7FDhegkji8glnSc01KVS0Jzs1qI4uUXlkJ~sbwEXYJfezaT26z1BdebnNEGlF7dkrNZbLusCealrzzCZpurP-kN72VcUSAS0mUBGF4PQT3yX6vFnVwP1zVRi~4SsL2L3SoInfov515Dci3OM7tcqlscAxFuWhSzudGcrBXhwhxXM2ddruN1K19ldyJu2w7ki~1OswGLnfBHzUQ79t0BnzQJh0QkZBeG36dDyERyZSRCx7c0mcYgS8RrMN3T6SUEaDRzL-uFiqGYz3dLeWmSmWDKQ98hHWztYsm-2-eN51xaHk~iohfmwdyUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ione City Council on April 1 took several formal actions including removing a pending censure complaint from the agenda, approving an application for a water-conservation grant for Howard Park, and authorizing purchase of a programmable logic controller (PLC) upgrade for the wastewater treatment system.

The council voted to remove from the agenda and accept the withdrawal of a censure complaint filed against Councilmember Jack Mitchell after a council member said they wished to withdraw the complaint. Public comment on the censure item was taken before the council finalized the withdrawal.

On another vote the council authorized staff to apply for a water-conservation grant from the Amador Water Agency intended to fund turf-to-low-water conversions at Howard Park's Picnic Hill and to allocate a portion of the grant to repair sports-field irrigation. The motion included authorization for the city manager to execute the grant funding agreement if the grant is awarded.

Separately the council authorized moving forward with a proposed upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant's PLC and related control systems, described by staff as necessary to prevent repeat failures the system experienced during recent storms. A council member recused themself from that vote; the council recorded the motion as approved.

The council also approved the consent calendar with warrants pulled for discussion and subsequently approved the warrants after brief review.

Votes recorded on separate agenda items were reflected in the meeting minutes and the actions listed below. Detailed tallies were not recorded in the public portion of the transcript for every motion and are noted where not specified.","At its April 1 meeting the Ione City Council voted to withdraw a censure complaint from the agenda, approved applying for a water-conservation grant and authorized staff to pursue a wastewater treatment PLC upgrade. The consent calendar and warrants were also approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City finance manager warns of multi-year shortfall; council told to prioritize revenue

City moves forward with wastewater PLC upgrade after staff warns of repeated failures; tracer study and sand-filter work underway

Ione council authorizes application for Amador Water Agency grant to convert Picnic Hill turf and repair irrigation

Votes at a glance: council withdraws censure item, approves park grant application and wastewater controller purchase