FAST AND ...
On the trail
Cross country athletes bring home wins from Thunder Invite. Sports, A6
You don’t have to travel far to enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty.
News, etc., B1
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C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t Ne w s p a p e r – E s t . 1 8 5 1
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Volume 170 • Issue 59 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
State of the county
Pandemic leads to increased tax revenue, funding Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer At the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week District 1 Supervisor and Board Chair John Hidahl delivered the State of the County address, sharing that the county is in good shape and has a much brighter outlook for the future than expected. “I want to start by telling you how much joy it brings me to see this group of people here with big smiling faces and a little bit of laughter and some conversation,” said Hidahl, kicking off his speech at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville during one of the first in-person chamber events in more than a year as gatherings were discouraged amid the COVID-19 Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt pandemic. El Dorado County Supervisor John Hidahl delivers the 2021 State of the County “From my perspective we have a very address May 12 at the Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon. stable budget,” Hidahl noted, explaining
Kids’ Expo brings smiles
that the county had been able to put away reserve funds for capital improvements and other activities over the past year, including contributions to the Public Employee Retirement System and other unfunded liabilities. The county expected projected losses in terms of a normal revenue cycle with reductions in property tax, transient occupancy tax, sales tax and other areas. “I am pleased to say we were surprised,” Hidahl said, referring to increases in some of those sources of county revenue. Sales tax increased substantially mainly due to online sales during the pandemic that brought those sales tax dollars back to the address of purchase. Another surprise came in increased transient occupancy taxes, otherwise known as the hotel tax, due in large part to taxes generated by n
See STATE OF THE COUNTY, page A3
Main Street events are back — but with a caveat Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer Seven traditional Main Street events have been approved to return to Placerville in 2021 but with added costs as event organizers are expected to pay up to $1,000 to help offset city costs associated with closing off the thoroughfare. Events that will go forward this year: June: Hangtown Days August: Classic car show August: Winederlust September: Oktoberfest October: Trick or Treat on Main Street November: The Festival of Lights December: Hangtown Christmas Parade
Photos by Laurie Edwards
The 35th Kids’ Expo took place at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds Saturday in a drive-thru format. Catalyst Community, formerly known as Choices for Children, organized the event that handed out free toys and take-home activities connected with community youth resources. Emmie Feigles, 10, above, of Cameron Park receives stickers and tattoos while her brother Judah, 8, waits for his gift packet from Sophia Sheble of Jamba Juice. Sponsors include the El Dorado County Office of Education, El Dorado Community Health Centers, El Dorado Disposal, Anthem Blue Cross, Faith Episcopal Church and Quality Counts El Dorado. Placerville Police Department Community Service Officer Jennifer Vitt shows the safety take-home activity book she and Officer Duane Tadlock handed out to families. EDCOE was well represented at the Kids’ Expo with Jesus Cordova, Betsy Batebson, Melissa Kistler, Patricia Gordon, Andrea Boyer and Carley Stallings, from left. EDCOE provided activity packets, crayons, finger puppets and youth program and other information.
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See Main events, page A7
Dollar General asked to add Class I path Mountain Democrat staff
Angie Olmos shows the goodies New Morning Youth and Family Services gave to children — Play-Doh, a toy car, a coloring book and crayons were among the items included.
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Mountain
The El Dorado County Planning Commission last week reviewed design plans for a Dollar General proposed to go in on Northside Drive and Highway 49 in Cool, finding the project is consistent with the General Plan but asking developers to make a few tweaks. The developers — Southern Californiabased Woodcrest REV — must now plan for a Class I bike path along Highway 49, a 4-foot asphalt path along a widened Northside Drive and to limit its outdoor storage as conditions of approval. Traffic congestion and pedestrian safety concerns from both the public and commissioners prompted upgrading plans for a Class II bike path to a Class n
See Dollar General, page A3
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