The Impact on Public Services
Gold Rush will tell you that their project will support and expand public services. However, they are only donating land for a new fire station, library and school -- not building the facilities. Amador County must come up with the money to build the facilities that will be urgently needed once Gold Rush brings 3000 more people to Sutter Creek.
Many of our public officials have expressed concern over these problems (see box at right). Why would you believe Gold Rush's rosy scenario over the warnings of our own hard-working public servants? Careful inspection of the facts shows that this project's impacts on our public services are not being mitigated, and our residents will suffer a decline in quality of life because of the added demand:
- Schools – There will be about one K-12 school-aged student for every three homes built and occupied. Thus, if the specific plan builds out over ten years, an additional 45 students would be added to the system EACH Year. At buildout, the school capacity would have to have expanded by about 450 students. The Gold Rush developers have provided a site for a school, but no funds to actually build the school.
- Library – Again, the Gold Rush developers have promised a site for the library, but no funds to actually build the facility.
- Fire Services – The Gold Rush developers have promised a site for the fire station, but
no funds to actually build the facility or to pay fire staff. The future residents of Gold Rush will pay their state and county mandated impact fees, just
like any other development in Amador County has to. Gold Rush's claim that they will bring a new paid Fire Department to Sutter Creek is FALSE; Measure M funds will allow Sutter Creek to start hiring
firefighters.
Sutter Creek is currently covered by full-time professional Cal Fire firefighters and augmented by full-time Sutter Creek firefighters on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We also have a strong cadre of volunteer firefighters. EVERY fire/EMS incident in Sutter Creek is responded to. - Hospital and Emergency Services - Will be affected. There is no proposed mitigation. Gold Rush will not pay for the added burden.
- Governmental Services/City Hall - The County anticipates the increase in population for County Support Services will impact their current staffing situation approximately eight percent. They will require more headcount support to cover this future event since they are currently understaffed in facilities and maintenance for all county buildings and property.
Remember that COUNTY services will also be impacted, including sheriff, public works,
coroner's office, animal control, public defender, etc.
Read the comment letter from the County about the impact
of Gold Rush on their ability to provide public services.