C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 14 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025
AT THE EDHCSD
General manager bows out Noel Stack Editor
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Billie Pence of Placerville is all smiles after purchasing herself a bouquet of chrysanthemums and daisies for Valentine’s Day. Normally her husband, Roger, would do that but he now has Alzheimer’s disease so she said she makes the purchase and makes believe they are from him. She also bought cards and candy to give to her husband. ”He still remembers me.”
Citing a deteriorating environment and personal reasons, El Dorado Hills Community Services District General Manager Mark Hornstra resigned effective Feb. 13. “When I accepted the role of interim general manager and later general manager, I understood the many challenges the district faced and believed my experience would help address them effectively, ethically, and professionally,” Hornstra wrote in his resignation statement shared with Village Life. “However, in recent months, the environment has deteriorated to the point where I can no longer fulfill my duties effectively, making it impossible for me to continue in this role.” Hornstra joined the
MARK HORNSTRA EDHCSD team in September 2021 and served as director of Parks & Recreation prior to accepting the interim general manager’s role in January 2024. He became the permanent GM last spring. In his resignation letter, Hornstra thanks his staff and the board, noting it has been a privilege to serve the community. “Unfortunately, the ongoing and increasing challenges as well as personal attacks toward staff have reached a
activities related to contract work with a company that also has a contract with the EDHCSD “created a situation where his personal, financial interests could conflict with the district’s interests.” The report also accused Loewen of withholding information and misleading investigators. An El Dorado County Grand Jury Report also addressed the controversy surrounding Loewen and in its response to that report, the board of directors acknowledged the “serious conflict of interest and an inexcusable ethical breach” while maintaining directors had no knowledge of Loewen’s relationship with the outside company outside of his work for the district. This became a point of
level that is hindering my ability to lead and maintain a positive and productive environment for all involved,” he explained. “As a resident of this community, I remain hopeful that the district is able to continue providing outstanding programs, parks and recreational facilities, and that the board and staff will find the leadership necessary to successfully navigate the difficult challenges ahead,” he concluded. “I wish the district and all those involved success in the future.” Hornstra was unanimously selected in January 2024 to replace former GM Kevin Loewen, who resigned in December 2023 after several questions arose regarding Loewen’s conduct and possible contract violations. A detailed report released in summer 2024 confirmed Loewen’s
■ See HORNSTRA, page A8
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Outside agencies take a hit in budget planning Jo Carrerow
Mountain Democrat correspondent In an effort to balance a 2025-26 Discretionary Transient Occupancy Tax budget with an expected $2 million shortfall, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors cut out all outside agencies, except those that provide public safety, but left most other DTOT funding intact. Public safety agencies would remain at their 2024-25 allocation, $837,000. Other cuts include reducing the Road Fund contribution to $2 million and reducing the Planning Economic Development
Division funding by half, to $546,000. Supervisors scrambled Feb. 11 for almost four hours to try to make up the projected deficit in DTOT. “We need your direction today,” said Chief Administrative Office Principal Management Analyst Emma Owens to the board. “How do we determine what to lower by $2 million.” In what District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp described as a “disheartening” situation, the supervisors explored three options: Option No. 1 to not fund any outside agencies, which would leave $500,000 left to cut in county operations;
Option No. 2 to lower allocations by 24% across the board; and Option No. 3 to come up with their own solution. “We’re going through a crisis right now,” said Board Chair George Turnboo. “We’ve got to take care of our employees, public safety and our roads. “We’ve got to tighten our belt,” the District 2 supervisor added. “It’s really a tough decision we have to make today. It’s not a good thing.” In the end they voted 4-1, District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine dissenting, on ■ See BUDGET, page A8
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