Key Bank in Green River to close

By PATSY STODDARD EC Progress Editor

The Emery County Commissioners met in commission meeting on April 22. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks reported Key Bank in Green River will be closing. Mike McCandless, economic development director for the county is working on bringing a new bank or credit union to Green River. Commissioner Horrocks said, “It will be an extreme hardship for Green River citizens if they don’t have a banking facility.”
The commission ratified Amendment Number five to the Cooperative Agreement between NRCS and Emery County for FA and TA funding. Commissioner Horrocks said this is for the work on the debris basin in Huntington Canyon. This amendment increases the funding by $785,200. The contract was signed earlier. Commissioner James Nelson said the first debris basin is complete and they are waiting upon a permit from the Army Corp. of Engineers for the second basin. This 404 permit is holding up the work. Commissioner Nelson indicated the Army Corp. of Engineers is supposed to approve the work being done, but they’ve assumed the role of trying to determine if the project should be done at all. So the Army Corp. of Engineers hasn’t issued the permit the county needs to move forward with the lower debris basin. The first basin is working.
The commission denied a request for an ambulance write off pending more information about employment, student status and financial ability to pay.
Treasurer Steven Barton asked for tax deferral agreements for Travis Allen and Kelly J. Ostler to keep their properties off the May tax sale list, a payment plan will be set-up for them.
The commission approved the contract with the State of Utah for bailiff and perimeter security for Seventh Judicial District at the Public Safety Complex. Sheriff Funk said a bill at the legislature determined the state should pay the counties more for these services. The new rate will be $21.94 per hour.
The commissioners reported on the activities and meetings they have been involved with the past two weeks. Commissioner Ethan Migliori said they are still working with the Emery County Care and Rehab to develop a new business model. The board has asked for input from the commission which they have provided. “They are working through their issues,” said Commissioner Migliori.
On May the 8th there will be a movie at the museum and on May 10 from 10-2 p.m. will be family day at the museum with activities for the children.
The travel bureau funds are up and there is increased tourism in the county. The travel bureau is nearing the end of their funds for groups wishing to utilize travel bureau funds to advertise and promote their events. If you have a request of this type you need to get in contact with the travel bureau before these funds are gone.
Plans are underway for the fair and activities will include elephant rides and a reptile show.
Commissioner Migliori thanked Mary Huntington for organizing the employee conference where speakers put on trainings and it was very beneficial to all county employees.
After the legislative session this year, Emery County is closer to having natural gas brought to the communities of Lawrence, Green River and Emery. It’s been a long battle but gas will be coming to the outlying communities.
The reconstruction of the Huntington Ball Complex will be going out for bid and the work will begin in May. Maybe by the end of the year, sports can be played there again. It has caused a problem with sports teams finding fields to use this spring, but it will be a big improvement for the county when it’s finished. “I appreciate the patience of everyone as improvements are made to the field,” said Migliori.
Commissioner Nelson said he went on a tour of the Russian Olive project along with Commissioner Horrocks and it’s been amazing what the weed and mosquito department has done with the $70,000 grant. Work has been completed along Ferron Creek and Cottonwood Creek. The dept. of agriculture is going to come down and film the work that’s been done and the County Seat television program is also going to do a story on the work.
There was a meeting with the forest service concerning allowing Merit Energy to use a XTO pipeline. The Questar pipeline they have been using has been bumped to a higher level and they can’t put their gas in that line any more and they are looking to get their gas to the other line. Commissioner Nelson said the forest service and all involved have been very helpful to Merit Energy to help them get their product to market.
The fires trucks were tested and certified. The fire district is still looking for help from the Community Impact Board for funding for new brush trucks.
Commissioner Nelson said he met with Juan Palma the Utah BLM director on the horse and burro problems. Palma indicated there are several remedies the county can use to help with the wild horse and burro problem.
On April 24 there will be a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. for the Buckhorn Information Center.
Commissioner Horrocks reported the county road department will be chipping roads in Lawrence and Cleveland beginning the first Monday in June. The libraries will begin their summer story times in June. There is a blood drive on June 2 and Commissioner Horrocks encouraged everyone in the county to get involved and to donate blood.
Work continues on the low-income housing units to get them ready for the July 2 inspection.
The following consent agenda items were approved: The hiring of Hugh Grange as a part time Equipment Operator I. Matt Mecham, Ryan Cox, Melece Pulli, Taigon Pulli, Kayden Parkins, and Tina Lacock as seasonal lifeguards at the Aquatic Center working 120 days. Bret Mills is requesting approval to start the recruitment process for a seasonal communication technician. Jeff Guymon is requesting approval to start the recruitment process for a seasonal office specialist. James Nielsen is requesting approval to start the recruitment process for seasonal weed and mosquito technicians. Steven and Jennifer Crouse, and Dutch Udink Sr. were approved as volunteers at Buckhorn Information Center. They will camp Thursday-Monday on holiday weekends during the summer of 2014. Judy Boyer was approved to be a volunteer within the Library System.