C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 33 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026
DECISION 2026
District 4 Supervisor candidates share their goals Noel Stack
Noel Stack
Noel Stack
Noel Stack
Gina Posey didn’t decide to run for District 4 supervisor on a whim. She knew last year. “I became invested right Gina Posey then and there because I feel I represent my voters,” Posey said of her campaign. “And I know all politicians say that but I don’t like to think of myself as a politician. I think of myself as your
Having a long career in government at the local and state level, District 4 supervisor candidate Ted Ted Gaines Gaines said he has the skills to best serve El Dorado County residents. “I’ve been in politics a long time, right? But I also understand how it works ... and I’ve been able to develop
Using the skills he has honed as a family law attorney, District 4 supervisor candidate Greg Greg Clark Clark said his approach to solving problems makes him the ideal candidate for the job. “I deal with people who have different ideas about how their situation should play out and what
Citing a need to eliminate barriers and cut out the cancer crippling El Dorado County’s prosperity, District 4 Robert Deitz supervisor candidate Robert Deitz has a long list of issues he said he’s ready to tackle. At the top — identify and eliminate regulations impeding local businesses’ ability to operate and thrive.
Editor
Editor
■ See POSEY, page A8
League of Women Voters to host D.4 candidate forum News release
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
On April 30 the League of Women Voters of El Dorado County will be hosting a public candidate forum for the District 4 supervisor race, providing voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and learn more about the issues impacting their community. The forum will take place 6-7:30 p.m. at the Gold Trail Grange, 319 Highway 49 in Coloma. Confirmed participants are Gina Posey, Robert Deitz and Greg Clark. Candidate Ted Gaines declined to participate. The forum will feature a moderated discussion focused on key topics relevant to District 4 residents including an opportunity for audience questions. The event is designed to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election.
The event is free and open to the public. It will also be recorded by Foothill TV and added to the LWV EDC YouTube Channel: bit.ly/ LWVElDoradoCounty. “Forums like this are essential to a healthy democracy,” said Elizabeth LeslieGassaway, president of the League of Women Voters of El Dorado County and moderator of the event. “They give voters the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, no spin, just clear, factual information about where they stand. When people have access to the information, they are empowered to make ■ See FORUM, page A2
Editor
■ See GAINES, page A8
Editor
■ See CLARK, page A8
■ See DEITZ, page A9
soaking it in
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Foxtail lilies and artichokes soak up the rainfall at the El Dorado County Government Center in Placerville earlier this week. Over the last week, one weather station in the city recorded a bit more that 2 inches of rain. Total for the month of April (so far) is about 6 inches. Clouds and cooler temperatures are expected to return to the region over the weekend though reports note the chance of more rain at that time is slim.
City leaders approve five-year water, wastewater increases Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
The Placerville City Council has approved a sweeping five-year plan to raise water and wastewater rates, citing rising wholesale costs, inflation and ongoing debt tied to infrastructure upgrades as key drivers behind growing budget shortfalls. Under the plan adopted following a public hearing April 14, water rates will increase in phased annual adjustments beginning this month, starting with a roughly 14% hike in 2026 and similar increases in the following two years before tapering slightly. Wastewater rates will rise about 13% initially, followed by smaller annual increases through 2030. City Manager Dave Warren said the adjustments are necessary to ensure the city’s utility systems remain financially sustainable. “We must establish rates that cover the cost of operating and maintaining the sewer
1,200 cubic feet of water over two months, and water systems over the next five years,” the initial increase is expected to add Warren told the council, noting the last rate about $12 to a water bill and about $27 to increase occurred in 2022; the consumer a wastewater bill. Low-income customers price index has risen more than 8% since enrolled in the city’s lifeline program will then. receive a 25% discount. A rate study presented by consultant This increase will see Michael DeGroot of a single-family home Bartle Wells Associates “Nobody up here is happy go from the wastewater showed that without bimonthly base rate of increases, the city’s water about this at all.” the current $205.81 fund deficit would grow — Vice Mayor Jackie Neau to $307.69 in 2030. from about $171,000 in Restaurants and retail the 2025-26 fiscal year businesses will incur similar increases over to roughly $1.8 million by 2029-30. The the next five years. Water rates will increase wastewater fund deficit would climb even from the current base rate of $25.73 and more sharply, from about $29,000 to $3.2 $5.17 per 100 cubic feet, just over 748 million over the same period. gallons, to a $47.82 base rate with a $9.61 DeGroot said the rising costs are driven in per 100 cubic feet charge. part by higher wholesale water prices from Despite the increases, the consultant said the El Dorado Irrigation District, as well Placerville’s water rates currently remain as personnel expenses, inflation and debt payments associated with past wastewater well below the regional average, while system improvements. ■ See INCREASES, page A2 For a typical residential customer using