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Board approves placing abandoned-vehicle abatement fee on November ballot, sets $1-per-vehicle language
Summary
The board adopted a resolution to place an abandoned-vehicle abatement (AVA) fee measure on the November ballot, amending staff language to remove the word “modest” and targeting a $1-per-vehicle fee; staff said the program removed nearly 4,902 vehicles since 2012 and averages roughly $55,000/year.
The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted to place a renewal of the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) fee on the November ballot, adopting amended ballot language and approving the county’s argument in favor.
Michelle, the county’s code-enforcement lead, explained the program’s history and funding: the AVA fee supported removal of inoperable vehicles since 2012; the program abated 4,902 vehicles to date and historically removed roughly 75–225 vehicles per year when funded. She told the board the program generated about $55,000 annually under prior fee levels and that those funds are specifically earmarked for vehicle abatement.
After discussion about wording and fee levels, the board directed staff to remove the adjective “modest” from the argument text and to pursue a $1-per-vehicle fee across registrations, with staff and counsel noting state rules may dictate commercial-vehicle charges in some cases. County counsel said the ballot measure, as a special-purpose fee, will require two-thirds voter approval for passage.
Supervisor Cornell moved to adopt the resolution with the discussed amendments; the motion passed unanimously. The board also approved the argument in favor (with the same amendment removing “modest”). Staff said final election costs vary by weighted factors but estimated a broad range for the county share depending on statewide ballot activity.
Next steps: staff will finalize resolution language and election materials for the county clerk and place the measure on the November ballot; voters will later decide whether to renew the fee (two-thirds approval required for passage).
