C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – mtdemocrat.comw
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025
EDC budget a go; more obstacles are anticipated
VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 48 | $1.00
Get moovin’ to the fair
Jo Carrerow
Mountain Democrat correspondent The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved the 2025-26 recommended budget June 10 — but not without regret. “Our actions aren’t always aligning with our words,” lamented District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine. “We talk about tourism. We talk about ag. And yet, in our policies I continually see that we’re our own obstacles to all of that.” At the Feb. 11 board meeting supervisors cut $868,567 in discretionary funding to outside agencies for tourism and economic development — effectively gutting El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce programs — as part of the task to slash $2 million from the General Fund budget before the entire budget’s adoption this week. The now-adopted budget also includes a reduction of 39.2 employees from the county’s staff of 2,000plus with 11 of whose positions filled and the others vacant, according to assistant chief administrative officer Sue Hennike. ■ See BUDGET, page A8
City spending those canna-funds Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
At the May 27 Placerville City Council meeting the Cannabis Community Benefits Committee proposed four projects to fund with the committee’s kitty — Placerville Fire Safe Council, Adopt-A-Trail program equipment, disc golf course upgrades at Lions Park and Meridian area denial barriers.
The committee’s work Before committee Chair Annie Aubrey delivered the proposed project list for the council’s consideration she offered a little background.
From the 1% of retail sales collected from cannabis shops the committee has an average of $80,000 a year to spend. Each year the committee has a wealth of options to utilize those funds. From nonprofit organizations to city projects and multiple points in between, the committee has no shortage of hats in hand.
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
The El Dorado County Fair has begun. This year fairgoers will get Moovin’ and Groovin’ through Father’s Day June 15. There’s something for everyone on the fairgrounds in Placerville, from thrilling rides and great exhibits to foot-stomping music and mouth-watering food. Above, brothers Vann, 11, right, and Louis, 8, enjoy a go-round on the Super Streak in the midway. The ride takes passengers up and down rolling hills, forward and backward. Below left, Brian Stabler of Placerville enjoys a sweet treat along with his daughters, Trinity, 9, left and Sera, 6. Stabler was on hand on VIP night June 11 to help set up the 20/30 Club’s very popular taco stand. Below right, Olivia Jarred, 10, stands in the holding area with her Hampshire Cross sheep named Clover with other members of the intermediate division of Marshall Grange 451. The Livestock Auction will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 14. For a complete list of events, activities and more visit eldoradocountyfair.org.
A shift of focus Aubrey attempted to clarify a shift of focus relating to the committee’s funded projects. “All these (cannabis) sales have been made by adults in our community for products only adults have access to,” she said. Aubrey went on to say the committee had been offered opportunities
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
■ See FUNDS, page A9
EID board welcomes new GM, talks water quality Jack Carrerow
Mountain Democrat correspondent
Mountain Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene
Jenkinson Lake, at the center of Sly Park Recreation Area, provides nearly one half of the EID main system’s water supply, which is treated at the Reservoir A water treatment plant in Pollock Pines.
A new general manager and clean drinking water were the main topics of discussion at the June 9 meeting of the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors. Pravani Vandeyar was selected in a 5-0 vote after a nationwide search that included 99 candidates for the job, according to board President Pat Dwyer, who joked, “I just hope I can learn to pronounce your name correctly.” “Pretty close,” Vandeyar replied. Born in South Africa, Vandeyar began her career with the city of Sacramento as a supervising water quality chemist and later became the Sacramento’s drinking water division manager, where she oversaw water production, water maintenance, water distribution, water quality and research and development. She succeeds Jim Abercrombie, who served as the district general manager ■ See EID, page A5