Sheriff Funk questions needle exchange program

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

Brady Bradford from the Southeast Utah Health Department asked the commission to approve the changes in the interlocal agreement between the health department and the county. He said the updated interlocal agreement notes that San Juan has dropped out of the health department. He said the health department takes care of vaccinations, vital statistics, newborn follow-ups, food establishment inspections, day care inspections and tanning bed inspections and water quality. He asked the commission to approve the changes to the agreement.
Sheriff Greg Funk said he isn’t happy with the health department wanting to bring a needle exchange to Carbon and Emery counties. He said the health department didn’t seem to care what law enforcement had to say. Bradford said it isn’t the health department that runs the needle exchange program, but a group from the Wasatch Front that comes into the communities to provide clean needles to drug users.
Sheriff Funk said if they come into Emery County they will be arrested for drug paraphernalia. These kits contain everything needed for drug use except the heat source and the drug itself. Bradford said the program is also supposed to provide information about drug treatment with the kits.
Bradford sees the potential for abuse but also for the protection against disease with the needle exchange program. County officials said they would have to see evidence that this program works before they could be in favor of it coming to Emery County.
Bradford said it looked like Price City was going to approve the needle exchange program.
Capt. Ekker said he sees the program as potentially increasing the use of illegal drugs in the area.
County Attorney Mike Olsen said he doesn’t see drug users in that situation as being too concerned about using dirty needles.
The question was asked why San Juan County dropped from the health department. Commissioner Brady said because of their remote location, they didn’t feel they were being adequately served for the funds they were expending for the health department. They run their own programs now.
Attorney Olsen said he had some concerns with the interlocal agreement having a 30 year life span. The commissioners tabled signing the interlocal agreement until they have had time to review it.
The commissioners approved a bid for surveying for the Green River library property. Carole Larsen reported they have had problems with people parking their vehicles on the library property. Hopefully the new fence will alleviate this problem. The fence will run across the back of the property 135 feet. Larsen will work more on determining the kind of chain link fence they will need. The library has funds in the capital project fund for the surveying and the fence.
The commission ratified a letter to the US Department of Reclamation regarding flooding in Green River. In the letter they ask reclamation to do whatever is necessary to keep Green River safe this year during the spring run-off.
Commissioner Lynn Sitterud said he attended the reclamation meeting along with Green River residents and in his opinion those running the dam seemed more worried about producing power with the water and the endangered fish than they did about the possible threats to humans.
The board approved the signing of the 2017 HMEP Hazardous Materials Planning Grant Allocation from the State of Utah Division of Emergency Management. Capt. Kyle Ekker said these grant funds are used to operate the Local Emergency Planning meetings and help pay for speakers invited to these meetings for presentations.
The commission approved the Level three conditional use permit for Summa Robotics. Scott Labrum was approved as Castle Dale Libraries May STEM Contract partner.
The commission approved the Emery County Libraries to apply for the CLEF Grant.
A request to take ADA vans out of state for a Senior Citizen Trip on June 23-26 was tabled for further discussion at a later date.
The Inter-Agency Coordination and Sub-Recipient Contract Agreement between Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments and Emery County to administer the Emery County Aging and Nutrition Programs from July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017 was approved. The ROW Grants for a portion of Price River Road was approved. The BLM has granted the ROW for the repair work on this road to take place. Flooding events last fall damaged the road.
The request to use Class B Road Fund Budget for tractor and backhoe rental was approved.
The waiver of PILT for 2015 for the Emery County Housing Authority was approved. The housing authority is working to repair units so they can be rented out. They hope to be able to pay the PILT monies in the future.
The fee for the Aquatic Center for Little Miss Emery Contestants to have a pool day was waived.
Southwest Stone Inc. requested the commission to waive and excuse penalties and interest on amounts owed for the 2010 tax year in return for the company paying the full amount of principal owing for that year. Treasurer Steven Barton explained the taxes from that year were involved in a tax appeal. The company had no luck with the Utah State Tax Commission on the case. All taxes for subsequent years are up to date. The commissioners approved the request.
The commission approved a deferral agreement for the payment of real property taxes that are five years past due for Shawn Allred.
Carole Larsen reported they are handing out storytime bags. These contain a book which has to come back to the library, but other items the child can keep. The story time kids will be making an aquarium in a bottle. On May 20 will be the Adult Book club night book review. That is the night Scott Labrum will talk to them about good health.
Commissioner Brady said a reporter from CNN was in the county gathering information and interviewing county residents on why they don’t believe in global warming. Emery County, in a survey by Yale University, had the highest percentage of doubt in the nation. Commissioner Brady said he was interviewed and one of his points was look at our skies. We have five units of coal fired power plants in our county. Shouldn’t our air here be super dirty?
The reporter may also come back and do some follow-up. KSL and Alex Cabero was in the county to do a program on their Road to Understanding segments which spotlight rural communities and their issues.
Approval was given for Keldon Guymon, Dakota Wright, Clive Gordon, Julie Steuer and Cindy Bowerman to receive a 3 percent wage increase and the 3 percent COLA for successful completion of their 6 month orientation period.
Approval was given for the following EMT’s to be garage leads and receive a $200 monthly stipend. Green River-Tammy Howland, Castle Dale/Orangeville-Ben Orgill, Huntington-Stoney Jensen, Ferron-Hollie Smith, and Emery-Tara Payne.
The recruitment process for seasonal lifeguards and head lifeguards will be started. Lori Ann Larsen was appointed to the Museum of the San Rafael Board.
Dean King and Richard Jensen were re-appointed to the ECSSD#1 Board of Directors to each serve another four year term. James Nielsen will be a volunteer for the Emery County Weed and Mosquito Department. A county credit card for Carole Larsen, Library Director was approved.