The Emery County Commission met in their Nov. 9 meeting. It was brought out the previous property tax rate notice mailed to Emery County property owners on Oct. 12 was incorrect. New notices are being sent with the correct rate which indicates a new tax amount. The new due date for payment of taxes is being extended to Dec. 28 from Nov. 30. If you have any questions call the Treasurer’s office at 381-2510.
The extension is due to an error in the rates used to calculate tax amounts on the 2010 Real Property Tax Notice sent to Emery County tax payers in October. Taxpayers will soon be receiving a corrected 2010 Real Property tax notice with the corrected tax amounts and indicating the extended payment deadline. It’s anticipated that for most residential taxpayers, the corrected tax amount will be a minimal change from the October notice. Questions regarding the tax notice changes may be directed to the Treasurer’s Office from which the new notice will be sent.
A number of items were on the agenda including the patent from the Bureau of Land Management to expand the current landfill which will reach full capacity sometime in the spring. Commissioner Gary Kofford explained that four years ago the county started the process to expand the landfill by 200 acres. The patent was approved, but in the process the BLM decided they were going to cut the grazing allotments in the area for Ross and Wayne Wilberg. This land includes the shooting range and the land fill expansion. The BLM agreed if water was put higher on the allotment they would cut the loss of AUMs. The Wilbergs went to the San Rafael Conservation District and was able to secure a grant to put in water troughs on the allotment. The county will also add $15,000 in mitigation funds to the trough project. With these measures the BLM has agreed to cut the loss of AUMs from 37 to 11.
The county is entering into an agreement that states Emery County is not responsible for the installation or maintenance of the troughs. Emery County will not have any other obligation or responsibilities. The Wilbergs have signed a waiver according to BLM guidelines. Over the next five years the county will need to complete an operating plan. The plan for the shooting range has already been submitted. The patent issued by the BLM is specific to the purpose of the land fill and the shooting range. The land will be under county jurisdiction. This patent is similar to the patent Ferron recently received for the expansion of the Millsite golf course.
The county will hold a public hearing on Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m. to hear public comment on the mountain home development change. The county approved the cooperative agreement with the forest service for $6,877 for law enforcement on forest service land by the Emery County Sheriff’s Office. The county approved the contract with Utah Department of Transportation concerning the final phase of the South Moore project which will be fencing the entire 21 mile stretch. A couple of cattle guards will be removed and under the road crossings will be constructed. This will keep the cattle off the road which was a big problem last winter. The commission also approved the chip seal modification.
Mary Huntington, personnel director and David Blackwell, county attorney were appointed to attend the annual UCIP meeting on Dec. 2.
A change order for the food bank building in the amount of $4,110 was approved for an asphalt strip and the redoing of an approach to the Southeastern Utah Health department building.
Under the citizens concern Commissioner elect JR Nelson said he will be out of the country over Christmas until early January and will miss the swearing in ceremony. Attorney David Blackwell said he can be sworn in when he gets back before the second commission meeting in January. Nelson also expressed his thanks to Commissioner Kofford and the work he has done in the county the past eight years.
Republican party chairman Bill Dellos also said they appreciate what Commissioner Kofford has done as well.
In the commission reports Commissioner Laurie Pitchforth asked Patsy Stoddard to tell about the Emery County Business Chamber. The opening kick-off event will be held on Nov. 16 at noon at the Museum of the San Rafael. There will be two speakers Sen. David Hinkins and Price Mayor Piccolo. The lunch will be catered by Gillys and everyone is welcome to attend. The event will announce the formation of the ECBC and encourage local businesses to join the organization to promote business in Emery County and foster economic development.
Commissioner Pitchforth said she attended the recreation district meeting and they have finished youth football for the season with Castle Dale being the champs and junior jazz signups are taking place. There will be allstar football teams going north to play. These teams are not sponsored by the rec. district and they are attending these allstar tournaments on their own and they are raising money to buy jerseys. Orangeville Christmas is set for Dec. 4. They are having a chili and soup cook-off and welcome everyone to attend.
Commissioner Jeff Horrocks reported it has been a few hectic months. He attended a tour of the Hunter power plant to see all of the improvements there. Commissioner Kofford and Ray Petersen, public lands director went along as well. The power plants have spent millions of dollars to reduce emissions from the plants.
The travel bureau held its meeting and discussed the vandalism at the new restroom on Buckhorn Flat. Cameras will be installed out there to capture pictures of any vandals doing damage to the new information center.
JN Auto held their grand opening on Nov. 5 in Huntington.
Commissioner Kofford reported the county has started its budget process for 2011. There have been several budget meetings with department heads and the next budget meeting will be on Nov. 23 after commission meeting, if additional meetings need to be held they will be scheduled at that time.
The new metal building for the food bank has arrived and will be completely erected by Tuesday and then the interior work will begin.
The final inspection for the care center was held and a punch list developed and those items are being taken care of at this time. The sheet rocking is being worked on at the sheriff’s office training and storage building.
The consent agenda included items: approval of business license for Nicole Hooley photography; approval of out of state travel for Garrett Conover; ratification of letter to DOGM regarding the position of water discharged from Crandall Canyon mine. Ratification of $50 a week on call pay for Garrett Conover for animal control responsibilities; approval of 3 percent increase for Timothy Randon who has completed his six month orientation period. Logan Tuttle has been hired as a 90 day temporary in the attorney’s office.
[dfads params='groups=4969&limit=1&orderby=random']
[dfads params='groups=1745&limit=1&orderby=random']