A1
Run for the Rose Two candidates are vying for the 2022 El Dorado Rose. News, etc., B1
171
C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
st
– E s t. 18 51
Volume 171 • Issue 69 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Monday, June 13, 2022
Gas prices, organics recycling raise disposal rates Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer
the city, based on California’s Consumer Price Index and the Producer Price Index for diesel fuel, came to 4.2267% with a fuel adjustment of 2.361%, adding up to a 6.587% increase. This amounts to a per-customer increase of $1.62 for a 35-gallon cart, $2.55 for a 64-gallon cart and $3.04 for a 96-gallon cart. The 35-gallon cart senior rate will increase by $1.20. An “adjustment for extraordinary circumstances” was also requested to the tune of $2.94 per customer. The organics recycling fee
At the May 25 Placerville City Council meeting an annual rate increase up to $3.04 per customer per month depending on cart size, and a $2.94 “extraordinary circumstances” increase was approved unanimously. A public hearing is scheduled for the rate increase at the June 21 El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting. Placerville’s Director of Community Development Pierre Rivas explained that the proposed rate increase in
Water agency focuses on drought planing Eric Jaramishian Staff writer Implementation of Senate Bill 552 guided the conversation on small water system preservation during the El Dorado County Water Agency bi-annual plenary May 13, where interested stakeholders gathered to discuss ways to better manage existing water resources, develop new sources of water supply and protect the region’s watershed amid California’s now threeyear drought. Senate Bill 552 focuses on improving drought planning for small water agencies in rural communities. Participants included state and local water agencies, business and land owners and county residents, who discussed building upon the recently completed Upper American River Basin Regional Drought Contingency Plan, which will help ensure small water suppliers and rural communities have water supplies, said water agency PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
board members, who noted that the key is to work with large water purveyors in the West Slope, Tahoe Basin and the county’s Office of Emergency Services. “Our General Plan calls for preserving the rural way of life, so having this many small water systems isn’t surprising but no one’s really focused on how to make them secure,” said El Dorado County Water Agency General Manager Ken Payne. There are 141 small water systems in El Dorado County, according to the agency. “Our biggest vulnerability is some of these smaller systems, including Grizzly Flat,” Payne added. “We’re going to need the big water systems like Georgetown and El Dorado Irrigation District to help. It was good to see that kind of discussion happening.” Water agency staff is looking into starting a task force to evaluate the county’s small water suppliers and well users to determine their needs and come up with potential solutions. “This could include consolidation but costs are a major consideration as costs for consolidation or access to alternative water supplies are higher for isolated small water systems and rural communities,” said Lisa Yarbrough, spokeswoman for the water agency. “If we want to pursue consolidation, we’ll need to advocate for state and federal assistance for implementation.” The El Dorado County n See Water Agency, page A6
PLUMBING L SPECIA vice Call
Repair or Ser
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
5000 OFF
$
*
other *When work is performed. Not good with any time only discount. Not valid on prior services. Limited
would help offset the costs of implementing the collection and recycling of methaneproducing organic waste as mandated by Senate Bill 1383. In November 2021 the Mountain Democrat reported on the initial implementation of SB 1383, which aims at reducing emissions from short-lived climate pollutants. Placerville resident Sue Rodman said roughly 60-70% of her weekly trash would be considered organic waste. She asked if there could be a way to pick up organic waste weekly or reconfigure what is being picked up and when.
“The ick factor is real.” — Jeff England, El Dorado Disposal district manager “I support what we’re doing,” she said. “I‘m just wondering why we can’t do this as part of our weekly trash and just separate the two items.” According to Ross Reaksecker, site manager at El Dorado Disposal, the organic waste program is still in an exploratory phase. “It’s a new service, in a sense,” he said. Although residents might
already compost at home, Reaksecker added, there are no options to opt-out of organic waste removal based on the language of SB 1383. “The state hasn’t developed a mechanism for rewarding or recognizing home composting yet,” said District Manager Jeff England. “What the state is going to track is the amount of trash per person.” n
See organic Waste, page A7
All country
Photos by Mitchell Weitzman
It’s boots on the ground for LG Hyatt and Kerina Kinch of Sacramento country band North Forty as they play the Gold Hill Country Music Festival June 4 at Saureel Vineyards in Placerville. The concert featured four country music groups, headlined by Nashville recording artist Jackson Michelson as part of Saureel’s summer concert series.
The stars and stripes fly over the concert venue.
Tony and Nancy Basile, left photo, from El Dorado Hills show off some dance moves. Up close and personal — singer Kenny Frye, right photo, of the Kenny Frye Band was not afraid to greet the audience in the middle of his songs.
Summer A/C Tune-Up – Plus –
FREE
30-Point Safety and Efficiency Test
$
99
00
Reg. $189
Hurry Before It Gets Hot!
Please present coupon • Not valid on prior services • Limited time only
Mt. Democrat
Lic. 559305
•
Est. 1979
HEATING • AIR • PLUMBING H
O
M
E
S
E
R
V
I
C
E
S
©Gilmore Inc. 2022
530-303-2727 702
www.gilmoreair.com