Residents and council question warrant charges; council approves warrants but holds EcoOrban payment

A mix of public comment and council discussion at the Dec. 16 Ione City Council meeting focused attention on warrants and recent utility and contract charges.

An unidentified resident said warrants presented earlier this year have led to legal fees that exceed the budgeted amount for the fiscal year and suggested a budget amendment may be forthcoming. The resident also noted an earlier late-fee credit on an Arco Business Solutions charge.

During consent-calendar consideration, a councilmember asked to pull warrant item No. 2. The council discussed irrigation and water charges, including a roughly $7,500 charge noted as irrigation bills and an approximately $5,000 rural-water charge attributed to Howard Park for a single month. A councilmember said timers at the Castle Oaks entrance were off and pledged follow-up.

Andrea, the city clerk, clarified that previous council approval of warrants had included payment to EcoOrban (also transcribed as 'echo urban' or 'Ecourban') for October and November; she said the warrants had been approved at an earlier meeting and not paid without council approval. One council member moved to approve the warrants but hold payment to EcoOrban pending further review; the motion passed on a voice vote with one member (Dominic) recorded as voting no.

Council members directed staff to investigate the irrigation charges and to ensure meter lines or timers are checked so the city is not irrigating unnecessarily in winter months. No additional disciplinary or contractual action was recorded that night.