After smoothing out in recent weeks, Plymouth's road to profiting from sales of Arroyo Ditch water now has a new hole in it.

The city was a signature away from what it regards as a solid position from which to negotiate with investors who would contract to further improve, maintain and otherwise manage the old canal, which once again carries Cosumnes River water into and past Plymouth.

But remaining unsigned by Amador County supervisors Tuesday was a quitclaim contract, amended Nov. 10 in Plymouth's favor, between the county and the city that would give Plymouth flexibility it reportedly needs in negotiating a contract with Shenandoah Management Company.

District 5 Supervisor Brian Oneto wanted a clause in the county-city contract that earmarked some water for sales - possibly at bargain rates - to agricultural operations near, but outside, the city of Plymouth. The board resolved the such language instead be put into the Plymouth-Shenandoah deal, and held Chairman Ted Novelli's signature is to be held in abeyance for the amended quitclaim contract until Plymouth-Shenandoah negotiations are complete.

Plymouth officials protested they believed Shenandoah would not sit down with them unless the city could produce a signed Amador County quitclaim document giving Plymouth clear title to the Arroyo Ditch.

"We took months to negotiate this deal (with the county)," said Steve Rudolph, Plymouth city attorney. "The City Council has approved the first amended contract. To come here today and find out their are items up for renegotiation, we are shocked and dismayed."

The future of the matter is unclear, especially if Plymouth officials turn out to be right about Shenandoah officials being unwilling to talk with the city unless a county-city contract is signed.

After the meeting, Plymouth Mayor Jon Colburn said, "They just killed the deal."

The vote to hold the amended county-city contract unsigned until Plymouth and Shenandoah craft water-earmark language benefiting local farmers was 4-1, with District 2 Supervisor Richard Forster voting "nay."