Sent via citizen report/community email group:

 

5 October 2009 
 

TO:  Sutter Creek City Council 

FROM: Ed Arata 

SUBJ: Exploration of Contracting with the Amador County Sheriff’s Office for Police protection in Sutter Creek. 
 

Your browser may not support display of this image.I am writing to request that the City Council explore the possibility of contracting with the Amador County Sheriff’s Office for Police protection for Sutter Creek as part of the your discussions related to the budget for 2009/10.  Should the discussion with the Sheriff’s Office be positive; I would not see that the transition would be immediate, but it could take place over a 6 to 12 month time period. 

In looking at the proposed General Fund budget, you will see that our Police Department this year represents about 57% of the budget; $924,792 out of a total budget of about $1,611,015.  In fact the City only has projected revenue of $1,432,105, so the Police will be 65% of the projected revenue. 

Go to the Sheriff and find out what he can offer, negotiate with him and his staff.  Perhaps request that one officer be stationed in Sutter Creek, 24 hours a day, with a satellite station provided by the City.  I do not know what it is going to take, but start with an offer of $XX,XXX.  If that is not enough, offer up to $XX,XXX for their service.  I have no idea, but in the end the City should have some savings against the $924,792 that we are currently spending that could be devoted to other needs.  I have heard it suggested that if Sutter Creek just disbands its Police force, the Sheriff’s Office will be forced to step in a provide service.  That option does not seem fair to the citizens of either Sutter Creek or Amador County.  We all live here together, we should pay our fair share for Police protection. 

Please consider this alternative for Police protection.  Martin Ryan and his family have a long-time history of Public Service to our County that continues to this day.  Martin and his family live in Sutter Creek, he is not going to standby and watch Police protection in our community fail.  I encourage you to work with the Sheriff’s Office to improve Police services for Sutter Creek and Amador County. 

If you form a committee of two Council Members to explore this option, I would volunteer to be a public member of this committee. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.