August 2011 5607 Jackson Valley Road • Ione, California 95640
A Special Thank You!!!
On behalf of The Oaks Community Association,We would like to say a heartfelt “Thank You” to former President, Dot James, for all of her hard work and her dedication to making The Oaks such a great place to live and for all her efforts in editing, publishing, & mailing the past newsletters.
Are You Paying Too Much in Property Tax?
By: Terri Bailey
In California the local and state government is funded mainly thru property tax revenue. When a property transfers title the county Assessor’s office places an assessed value on the property. The assessed value may or may not be the sales price.
Proposition 8 allows for a decrease in your assessed value if your property has an assessed value higher than the current market value.
If your market value is currently lower than the assessed value you should file a request for informal assessment review with the Amador County Assessor’s office before November 30, 2011. You only have to file the request once. After the first year the review is done automatically. The lower assessed value will remain until you reach your Proposition 13 level.
If the informal assessment review determines that the current market value as of January 2011 is lower than the current assessed value, you may be eligible for lower property taxes.
You can find the assessed value of your property on your property tax bill, you can call the Amador County Assessor’s Office 223-6351, or you can go online at
You can also obtain the request for informal assessment review online or by calling the Amador County Assessor’s Office. If you have questions about the process you should contact the Assessor’s office.
Back to School By: Morgan Seaman
School starts Monday, August 15th for Amador County Unified School District. Students who plan on using school-provided transportation beginning the first day of school must have their fees paid and Application for Home-to-School Transportation submitted no later than August 19, 2011. The fee schedule is available on the district website under the transportation link or in the business office.
After the district provided grace period, students may not be allowed to use the school-provided transportation until the fees are paid and the Application for Home-to-School Transportation is submitted, including the option to apply for free and reduced fees.
The application will include the option to apply for free or reduced fees in the case of financial hardship. Documentation verifying income must be provided. Eligibility will be determined based on the federal eligibility scale.
A packet (including: application for bus fees, fee schedule, and application for free or reduced bus fees) can be mailed upon special request.
Payments may be made by the following:
In person at the ACUSD transportation office, located at 545 Independence Drive, Sutter Creek, CA from 9-12 am/ 1-4 pm.
Mailed to: Amador County Unified School District Transportation, 545 Independence Drive, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 ATTN: Bus Fees. Make checks payable to: A.C.U.S.D.
Online at
The Bus stop for The Oaks Community Association will be located outside of the front gate for both pick up and drop off.
Complete information will be available online at Information includes general information, the application form including free and reduced fee option, and payment options. If you have questions, concerns or just need additional information, please call Transportation Office at (209) 257-5184.
Food Bank
The 7th Day Adventist Church in Sutter Creek has a food bank every Monday from 4-6 PM. They are located at 12900 Ridge Road, Sutter Creek 95685. They are accepting all perishable and nonperishable foods. Their goal is to help supply food to people in need, which includes making food boxes as well as having a free supper each week. Any monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. They have been able to provide for over 300 people every month and would like to see that number grow. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, you can contact Joe @ (209)267-1456