C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 3 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
A HELPING HAND
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Diamond Springs resident and self-proclaimed “Board of Supervisors historian” Kris Payne, left, comments on changes to public comment procedures. His advice to the board was to “use common sense.”
Board gets earful on public comment policy Mountain Democrat staff
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Payne, speaking when public comment was called for the first item Comments about comments on the agenda — election of board dominated the first hour or so of the chair, vice chair and second vice Jan. 6 El Dorado County Board of chair — said he found the idea of Supervisors meeting as new policy taking public comment and testimony took effect dictating when and for before the board discusses an item how long the public could comment astounding. “Because usually there’s on matters. a general discussion and then the On Nov. 18, 2025, the board public has a chance to understand modified its public comment what you’ve already said. We don’t get procedures, making two major caught off guard like we’re going to changes: have later today.” 1. Public comment on closed session Mary Chan, representing the items is taken at Taxpayers the same time as Association “Consolidating public public comment of El Dorado on the consent County, echoed comment … does not make calendar. that concern, meetings more efficient.” 2. Public maintaining comment for — Mary Chan that meaningful all remaining participation agenda items is gone when (excluding noticed public hearings) is residents are asked to comment taken in one public comment period before staff shares information, following consideration of the consent reports and presentations. calendar. Each speaker gets three “Consolidating public comment minutes total to address these items. … does not make meetings more Open forum continues to be efficient,” Chan said. “It forces scheduled at 1 p.m. as the opportunity residents to divide three minutes for the public to address the board across multiple, unrelated issues, to for three minutes about any subject choose which issues they are allowed matter not on the meeting agenda. to speak.” A press release issued last month She and other speakers urged the stated the changes were made to board to have additional discussions provide “greater efficiency and about the procedural changes. “A consideration of the public’s time, policy that fundamentally changes allowing citizens to arrive in the how the public engages with its morning to provide any public elected officials is not routine, nor comments — whether regarding ministerial,” Chan said. “It deserves closed session, consent calendar or discussion.” regular agenda items — without Chan further noted that a review needing to wait hours for individual of how other counties accept public items to be called later in the day comment confirms most do so when (unless it is a noticed public hearing).” agenda items are heard, not at the But speakers Tuesday argued beginning of the meeting. Alameda that condensing public comment and Merced counties are the only opportunities unfairly limited the other jurisdictions that consolidate public’s right to share their opinions public comment. at board meetings. ■ See POLICY, page A5 Diamond Springs resident Kris
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Dr. Mitchell Goodis, DDS, left, checks on his former employee and friend Stan Mowatt, 67, who became unable to work and homeless after suffering a stroke. Mowatt said he’s unable to find affordable housing and lives in his vehicle. Goodis said he has exhausted all efforts looking to help Mowatt and allows him to park on property he owns across from his business.
Local dentist seeks solutions for homeless Shelly Thorene Staff writer
M
itchell Goodis, DDS, a retired Lt. colonel with the United States Air Force, operates a dental practice on Koki Lane in El Dorado. He is seeking answers as to why there isn’t enough affordable housing in El Dorado County and is actively looking for solutions for a former employee who became homeless and unable to work after suffering a series of strokes. Stan Mowatt worked for Goodis as a dental lab technician, making dentures for five years. His employment ended after he suffered a stroke which affected his memory, his balance and the use of his left hand. Now, Mowatt, 67, is unable to find affordable housing and has lived in his Honda Pilot since 2022. His Social Security benefits, even though he worked his entire life, do not equal three times the going rate for rent for even a studio apartment
in the area — a requirement of many landlords. “If you are wearing a denture or partial, there’s a good chance Stan made it. Now, he is unable to work, can hardly walk, has multiple medical issues and is currently homeless,” Goodis said. “Last year, the sheriff and I found him delirious and half frozen on a side road during a cold snap.” Mowatt spent a few weeks recovering in the hospital afterward and said the staff lost all of his identification. He was transferred to a skilled nursing facility where Goodis said they lost most of his clothes. Mowatt then spent time in an assisted living facility in Carmichael and, again, most of his clothes went missing. Goodis purchased more clothing for him and helped him get a new license. Mowatt left assisted living saying it was “too restrictive.” “I don’t want someone to tell me to ■ See HELP, page A4
In the News in 2025 The Mountain Democrat looks back on some of the top headlines of the past year. See next Wednesday’s edition for more top stories.
City, county leaders Austin litigation against tighten their budget belts agencies comes to an end Noel Stack
Noel Stack
Andrew Vonderschmitt
A decade-long legal battle came to a close as El Dorado County, the El Dorado Hills Community Services District and the El Dorado Hills Fire Department settled with Thomas and Helen Austin. In 2015 the Austins, who bought a home in El Dorado Hills sued, arguing the agencied violated the California Mitigation Fee Act and shouldn’t have collected certain permit fees paid by home builders in those jurisdictions. The act requires agencies to prepare and approve updated nexus studies every five years that justify fees collected and outline how money will be spent to benefit the public and offset impacts resulting from new development; however, the agencies named in the lawsuit had failed to submit their nexus studies as required at the time the Austins and many others paid fees.
Editor
Editor
Features editor
Rising costs and revenue shortfalls impacted local governments in 2025, forcing leaders to make some difficult decisions The Placerville City Council adopted a $24,982,533 operating budget for fiscal year 2025-26 at its June 24, 2025 meeting, approving a spending plan shaped by flat revenues, rising costs and department reorganizations. Dave Warren, who at the time served as assistant city manager and finance director, said the budget anticipated a 2.09% decline in General Fund revenue and a 6.44% increase in expenditures, making it more difficult to balance than ■ See BUDGET, page A4
■ See AUSTIN, page A5