Commission holds first meeting: makes assignments

By COREY BLUEMEL Staff writer

Emery County Commission Chairman Gary Kofford opened the first meeting of 2010 by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. He also acknowledged the employees of Emery County as the hardest working people he knows and thanked them for their efforts.
The first order of business was to elect a chairman of the commission for the new year. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks moved to reappoint Commissioner Kofford as chairman for 2010. The motion was approved.
Commissioner Kofford then announced the assignments for each of the commissioners. Commissioner Laurie Pitchforth will oversee the following: ambulance/EMTs; animal control; attorney; assessor; care center; economic development; Extension service/USU; libraries; MBA; public lands; recreation district/fair; senior citizens; sheriff/homeland security; and treasurer.
Commissioner Horrocks will be responsible for: COG; CCP; DWR; economic development; fire district; Green River Medical Center; historical preservation; housing authority; justice court; MBA; museum; NEWU District; personnel; public lands; recorder/archives; travel council; USFS; weed/mosquito; wildland fire; and workforce services.
Commissioner Kofford is assigned to oversee: airport; aquatic center; AOG; BLM; CVSSD; clerk auditor; county facilities; economic development; ECSSD#1; fire district; IT/GS; Lawrence Cemetery; MBA; planning/zoning; public lands; public/mental health; RC&D; road department/landfill; TV/communications; and water conservancy.
As noted by Commissioner Kofford, there are several departments or boards that all three commissioners will be responsible to oversee.
The commission approved to sign a contract with the Manti-LaSal Forest district. This contract will require law enforcement to patrol the high use campgrounds on high use weekends. In return, the county will receive $6,643.
It was also approved to waive building permit fees for Clawson Town and Emery County Housing Authority. Clawson is building a metal building and ECHA is installing heating units in some housing.
Commissioner Kofford announced that Cameron Nerdin has been hired as the building inspector for the county and all cities, with the exception of Orangeville. The commission approved a credit card and cell phone stipend for Nerdin. Nerdin began working in the position of building inspector on Jan. 4.
Commissioner Kofford announced a decision is expected in June or July for the funding for the new food bank building in Castle Dale. “It is anticipated that $400,000 will be awarded and construction may begin in the fall,” he stated.
The Emery County Public Lands Council has six openings on their board. Edward Geary, Bruce Wilson, Priscilla Burton, Mark H Williams, Sherral Ward, and Jon Gilbert were appointed to fill the openings. All appointments are for two years with the exception of Gilbert and his is a one year appointment.
Appointments were also made to the Emery County Care and Rehab board. Commissioner Pitchforth will be on that board and the commission appointed Ross Huntington to another seat. There is a seat remaining to be filled but no applications were received for that seat.
Joel Dorsch, Randall Stilson, along with Commissioner Pitchforth, were appointed to the Emery County Recreation Special Service District board.
Commissioner Horrocks announced the arrival of new Emery County travel guides. These booklets will be distributed at travel shows in the surrounding states. They will also be available at museums and other outlets around the two county area.