County commission visits Headstart donates sign

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In November, the Emery County Commission approved the capitol improvement list for the Community Impact Board. This list was compiled by cities and includes short term and long term projects for Emery County. Two items added to the list included North Emery Water Users for spring development and maintenance at the Bear Canyon springs for $250,000. One item removed from the list that’s already been completed is the Aquatics Park by the pool.
The commission approved upgrades at the fuel station and back-up for power at the sheriff’s office.
A business license for Olivia’s child care was approved. The commission ratified out-of-state travel for Jared Curtis. The commission approved a 4 percent wage increase for library personnel. They didn’t receive the increase when the rest of the county employees did on Jan. 1 of this year. It wasn’t in the library budget at that time for the increases, but now additional funds have become available and the increase can be made. The library board recommended the wage increase be made effective Sept. 1 with back pay to Jan. 1. The back wages will be approximately $479 for fulltime and $96 for part-time employees.
Chris Gibson and Blair Hiatt, representatives from Liberty National Life Insurance Company presented a sales pitch to the commission explaining the group term life insurance available to employees through payroll deductions. They explained the policies won’t terminate and it’s permanent term life insurance. It can be used as a burial policy and should be a supplement to life insurance employees may already have. The insurance is portable and would only cost between $2-$7 per pay check. Employees can also sign up spouse and children for the plan and the application contains nine questions and it’s easy to qualify. The commission said they would meet with personnel director, Mary Huntington and discuss the plan and bring it back at a future meeting.
The commission approved a change order for the Emery County Aquatics Center for $355,094. This is a decrease in the total cost of the project. The final cost of construction is $5,391,074. The county will receive a check back from Hughes Construction for $44,000. Commissioner Gary Kofford reported the architect for the project Naylor and Wentworth won an award for the design.
There are two at-large positions open on the recreation district board. The two positions ready to expire are those currently held by Jim Jones and John Nielson. The commission will advertise the positions.
Purchase documents for the Utah Department of Transportation right-of-way acquisition for Quitchupah Hill were approved. UDOT plans to add a passing lane on Quitchupah Hill just south of Emery.
Wage increases were approved for Clay Collard and Jake Sehestedt for successful completion of their six month orientation. The Huntington airport insurance was renewed.
Commissioner Jeff Horrocks reported the road department installed the museum sign.
Commissioner Laurie Pitchforth reported she attended the Utah Association of Counties conference in St. George. Emery County hosted the Rural Water Meeting. She attended the Department of Transportation meeting in Green River and the Association of County Government meeting in Price. At the UDOT meeting the board toured local road projects that were completed this year. They gave some statistics on SR-6 and said serious injuries and fatalities are down on the road. In 2005 there were eight fatalities and in 2008 there were four.
Commissioners Kofford and Pitchforth attended a luncheon at the Head Start in Huntington. The commission donated some money for the installation of a sign at the Headstart Center. “They are really running a great program there. They have done amazing things with that restaurant building,” said Commissioner Pitchforth.
Commissioner Pitchforth also attended the Hope Coalition luncheon where prescription drug abuse was discussed.
Commissioner Kofford reported the Phase II of the Goblin Valley Road was completed. Phase III is complete except for the chip and seal which can’t be finished until spring. “Thirteen miles of that road are now paved. It is a nice addition to the county. The road department is upgrading the Little Wild Horse Road. They are trying to stabilize the road and more work will be done in the spring. Morris (road department head) has an active agenda for that road which includes gravel and road base,” said Kofford.