Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County

10/29/2026

𝐄𝐈𝐃 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟒 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐏𝐀

At the October 23, 2026 meeting of the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County, members welcomed Eric Mettler, candidate for the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) Division 4 Board of Directors seat, for a candidate presentation followed by questions and discussion with TPA members.

Mettler, a retired CEO, engineer, and former El Dorado County Civil Grand Juror, discussed his concerns about EID's rapidly increasing water rates, substantial debt obligations, and oversight of major infrastructure expenditures. Drawing on his experience in business management and financial oversight, he emphasized the importance of responsible budgeting, careful project prioritization, and greater accountability to ratepayers.

During the question-and-answer portion, members raised several important issues, including the differences between residential and agricultural water rates, whether existing ratepayers should bear infrastructure costs associated with new subdivision developments such as Marble Valley, and the accelerating pace of water rate increases in recent years. The discussion highlighted the difficult balance between maintaining reliable water service, accommodating future growth, and protecting existing customers from unnecessary financial burdens.

Mettler advocated for stronger financial oversight and more rigorous evaluation of proposed expenditures, emphasizing that EID's elected board must take an active role in ensuring that infrastructure investments are necessary, cost-effective, and appropriately funded.

As part of TPA's ongoing commitment to government accountability, fiscal responsibility, and an informed electorate, the meeting provided an opportunity for voters to hear directly from a candidate seeking to represent their interests on the EID Board ahead of the November election.

𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘘&𝘈 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.

10/22/2026

AGENDA
October 23rd, 2026, 11:30 am – 1 pm
This Friday will be a business meeting and will be open to all members only.
Zoom Info Below.

1. Call to order, and Establish a Quorum
The Pledge of Allegiance
2. Advertising campaign – Ken Calhoon
3. Sheriff License Plate Reader – Gina Posey
4. BoD Discussion – Carol Louis
5. Open Discussion
6. BOS Update – Shannon Starr (as needed)
7. Adjournment
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96180044797?pwd=KZNWK6MXaX7NQ5talTbbzc8OdCpjln.1
Meeting ID: 961 8004 4797
Passcode: 237125
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,96180044797 #,,,,*237125 # US

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10/15/2026

𝐄𝐈𝐃 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐏𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦

At the October 9, 2026 meeting of the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County, members welcomed Lauren Hernandez, Rick Blodgett, and Greg Prada, the three candidates for the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) Division 2 Board of Directors seat, for a candidate forum examining the financial and operational challenges facing the district.

A central focus of the discussion was EID's rising water rates, substantial debt obligations, and the growing costs of maintaining critical infrastructure. Candidates were asked to evaluate major capital projects, including the El Dorado Hills Water Treatment Plant and Silver Lake Dam, and explain how they would balance reliable water service with affordability for residential and agricultural ratepayers.

The candidates offered differing approaches. Hernandez emphasized long-term infrastructure planning, improved governance, and securing state and federal funding. Blodgett advocated for limiting new debt, greater fiscal restraint, and improved water quality and infrastructure maintenance. Prada called for tighter budget oversight, more rigorous project prioritization, and greater scrutiny of district expenditures.

Additional discussion addressed the findings of the 2025 El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury, water storage and potential surplus water sales, recreational facility fees, and the challenge of balancing today's costs against future infrastructure needs.

As part of TPA's commitment to government accountability, transparency, and an informed electorate, the forum provided voters an opportunity to compare the candidates' qualifications, priorities, and proposed solutions ahead of the November election.

𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.

10/15/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲

At the September 25, 2026 meeting of the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County, members welcomed Mike Ranalli, President of the EDC Farm Bureau, for an informative presentation titled “𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘴,” examining the challenges facing local agriculture and opportunities to strengthen the county's rural economy.

Ranalli discussed the significant economic pressures facing El Dorado County's agricultural producers, particularly the local w**e industry, which has experienced declining consumer demand, w**ery closures, and changing tourism patterns. While agriculture remains a vital part of the county's economy and identity, he emphasized that long-term resilience will require diversification across agricultural products, markets, seasons, and revenue sources. He also highlighted the economic contributions and growth potential of other agricultural sectors, including Apple Hill, livestock, timber, and Christmas tree production.

A central theme of the presentation was the importance of agritourism and rural economic development. Ranalli explained how agricultural businesses can generate substantially greater economic activity by attracting visitors who spend money on lodging, dining, recreation, and locally produced goods. He examined the county's declining Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues relative to broader regional tourism trends, raising important questions about whether local land-use regulations, lodging availability, and tourism policies are limiting economic opportunities.

Ranalli also outlined several potential policy reforms aimed at improving the viability of local farms, ranches, and w**eries. These included expanding opportunities for agricultural lodging and vacation home rentals, allowing greater flexibility for w**eries to diversify their beverage offerings, and exploring an industry-supported Tourism Business Improvement District (T-BID) to provide dedicated funding for tourism promotion and economic development.

Throughout the presentation, Ranalli emphasized that agricultural diversification should be viewed as an economic development strategy, rather than simply a series of exceptions to existing land-use regulations. He encouraged county leaders to pursue coordinated policies that support agricultural entrepreneurship, increase overnight visitation, strengthen local tax revenues, and preserve the agricultural resources that make El Dorado County unique.

The presentation offered a timely perspective on the intersection of agriculture, tourism, land-use policy, and fiscal sustainability, highlighting the importance of adapting county policies to changing economic conditions while protecting the long-term future of El Dorado County's agricultural communities.

𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.

10/14/2026

AGENDA
October 16th, 2026, 11:30 am – 1 pm
This Friday will be an open meeting and will be open to all.
Zoom Info Below.

1. Call to order, and Establish a Quorum
The Pledge of Allegiance
2. Townhall – Jaron Brandon – We had hoped to have a debate but could not get a date from Alexandra Duarte. If her schedule aligns before the election, she will be given equal time.
3. BOS Update – Shannon Starr – (as needed)
4. Depending on timing of the townhall, we may have an open discussion related to business stuff.
5. Adjournment
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96180044797?pwd=KZNWK6MXaX7NQ5talTbbzc8OdCpjln.1
Meeting ID: 961 8004 4797
Passcode: 237125
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,96180044797 #,,,,*237125 # US

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10/06/2026

AGENDA
October 9th, 2026, 11:30 am – 1 pm
This Friday will be an open meeting and will be open to all.
Zoom Info Below.

1. Call to order, and Establish a Quorum
The Pledge of Allegiance
2. Speaker – EID District 2 Debate
3. BOS Update – Shannon Starr – (as needed)
4. Adjournment
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96180044797?pwd=KZNWK6MXaX7NQ5talTbbzc8OdCpjln.1
Meeting ID: 961 8004 4797
Passcode: 237125
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,96180044797 #,,,,*237125 # US

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

10/01/2026

AGENDA
October 2nd, 2026, 11:30 am – 1 pm, Denny's Placerville

Unfortunately, our scheduled speaker, the CEO of Placer County cancelled due to illness. So no meeting tomorrow.

09/28/2026

Please find the TPA white paper on Measure S. The TPA does have some concerns with the measure, which we have listed. The document is quite long, and does have an executive overview (summary) for those of you who don't want to dig into the details. We do hope you take the time to fully understand the measure.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q_BusdfehFwPuVj5J8K4GcAn5rOtk-JO/view?usp=drive_link

09/26/2026

📣 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐩

Since 1958, the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County has worked to promote responsible spending, open government, and accountability to the people of our County.
That work continues today.

We attend Board of Supervisors meetings. We dig into County budgets and policies. We ask tough questions. We advocate for responsible use of taxpayer dollars. And when the public's right to be heard is threatened, we stand up and make sure our voices are heard.

But effective citizen oversight depends on an engaged community, and we need your help.
If you care about how your tax dollars are spent and believe local government should be transparent and accountable to the people it serves, we invite you to join TPA and get involved.

Learn more and become a member at taxpayersedc.org, or simply send us a message here on Facebook to learn how you can participate.

Your voice. Your tax dollars. Your County.

09/24/2026

Open TPA meeting 9/25/26. Denny's Placerville. 11:30-1. Michael Ranalli - President of the Farm EDC Farm Bureau will be presenting. Speaker at 11:30-12:30. Followed by BoS updates for all and a discussion on Measure S for members only. Zoom available.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96180044797?pwd=KZNWK6MXaX7NQ5talTbbzc8OdCpjln.1
Meeting ID: 961 8004 4797
Passcode: 237125
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,96180044797 #,,,,*237125 # US

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.