Speed, water issues on tap

The Sutter County Board of Supervisors will again decide how to attack complaints of speeding on the narrow streets of the community of Sutter.

A week after approving new stop signs at two crossings in the town by the Sutter Buttes, the board will vote tonight on an ordinance marking the speed limit on Walnut Street — one of several fixes that residents have asked for to control speeding that they say threatens local children.

The ordinance, first approved last week, would clarify the 25 mph limit on Walnut Street, a north-south route with worn pavement that motorists often use to bypass Acacia Avenue but lacks stop signs on most of its length.

County engineers had opposed the stop signs, arguing they would increase speeding elsewhere and increase air pollution, but said they will install them by this weekend.

In other business, the troubled water and sewer system in Robbins could face another attempt to shore up its strained finances.

The board will announce the date of a public hearing on possible new late fees and fines in Water Works District No. 1, which is losing about $120,000 a year and owes Sutter County $168,000 for maintenance costs. No enforcement system cu rently exists for the district, according to Chuck Smith, the county's spokesman.

The Robbins district has fewer than 100 customers, and residents in November rejected a county plan to hike the monthly water charge — for the first time in more than a decade — to nearly $100 to cover the deficit. Shortly afterward, Golden State Water Co. proposed buying out the district, a move that would take at least a year.

Tonight's meeting will be the debut for new supervisor James Gallagher, who will take over representation of the 5th District from the outgoing Dan Silva. Gallagher, a Yuba City lawyer, ran unopposed in last year's primary and election.

Public Meeting

• WHAT: Sutter County Board of Supervisors meeting

• WHEN: 6 p.m. today

• WHERE: Board chambers, 466 Second St., Yuba City