Amador County Assessor Jim Rooney told the Plymouth City Council Thursday that property tax revenues for the coming year would be less than normal because of the slumping housing market.

Photo by: Kelly Enos

The first city council meeting of the new year in Plymouth remained a quiet affair with a light agenda and a smaller than usual crowd.

County Assessor Jim Rooney requested to give a presentation to the city council regarding property taxes for the coming year, which, according to Rooney, are going to be significantly less than the county has seen in previous years.

"I sat in with the county on the budget issues and how they are going to get by this year," he said. "I realized that it's not just the county who needed these warnings, but the cities too. That's why I am here."

Rooney explained that although it won't be "terrible," there will be a significant decrease in property tax revenue due to the current real estate market.

"The past four to five years we have had the tax rates grow on average 12 to 15 percent," he said. "This year we have to be careful because we aren't going to have that percentage. We are looking more in the 4 to 7 percent range."

Rooney described for council members how tax money is disbursed locally, with the largest cut, usually more than 60 percent, going into the schools, then fire and police, the county and finally the cities themselves. "Across the board and throughout the county, the assessor's office is lowering assessments now as we see them," Rooney told the council. "We call it 'Proposition 8' and it is a benefit to all in the county."

Following the presentation, the council approved the grant expenditure of the Citizens Options for Public Safety funds that are appropriated through the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund for distribution within county and city law enforcement.

"This is just a formality," explained Finance Director Jeff Gardner. "It's an annual review for your approval."

Plymouth contracts with the Amador County Sheriff's Office to provide the city's police services, which equals the amount of the $100,000 grant. According to Gardner, the funds are a line item addition from the state and, in light of the currently projected $14 billion shortfall in the state budget, may not be available in future years. After a brief discussion, the council adopted the grant expenditure.

Interim City Administrator Gene Albaugh then introduced an appropriation request application for possible projects from Congressman Dan Lungren's (R-Gold River) office for approval by council. In order to receive consideration, all requests need to be received by Feb. 22, as Congress is currently facing the need to reduce high levels of federal spending.

"I feel the most important items for our appropriation request would consist of the drainage system upgrades," Albaugh said. "It is projected at about $850,000 and 15 months to complete."

The council agreed, asking about other improvements such as the Arroyo Ditch and pipeline projects, jokingly referred to as a "bridge to nowhere." The council approved the applications for improvements and will submit them to Lungren's office electronically.