Calaveras supervisors to return grant money

Posted: Friday, May 24, 2013 8:35 am

More changes are coming to Calaveras County’s general plan update. At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting the board will consider refunding the Sierra Nevada Conservancy $10,000 for the cancellation of a grant that would have assisted with integrating habitat and open space protection into the general plan update.

Initially approved by supervisors in 2008, the grant-funded project was “an attempt to reconcile the county’s growth and development policies with its goals for the preservation of agricultural lands, protection of open space and habitat areas and improved species conservation,” according to the original Conservancy project summary.

Why the county now wants to retreat from that decision is unclear and officials were unavailable to explain by press time.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office will likely see some monetary reimbursement. The office is looking at around $3,375 in financial reimbursement from the 39th District Agricultural Association for enforcement services provided during the Calaveras County Fair and has two “contract modifications” totaling $45,000 for the removal of marijuana plants from National Forest lands.

The Sheriff’s Office will additionally seek approval of a nearly $400,000 contract with the City of Angels Camp for the provision of municipal law enforcement services over three years ending in 2016.

Supervisors will also hold a public hearing to gather testimony regarding a proposed assessment rate increase for the Golden Hills assessment district between San Andreas and Mokelumne Hill.

The existing annual benefit assessment ranges from $200 to $300 per parcel. The proposed increase – $240 to $360 per parcel – will go toward resurfacing roadways within the assessment district over an 11-year period.

The Board of Supervisors meeting will commence at 9 a.m. in the county’s board chambers in San Andreas, 891 Mountain Ranch Road.