Commission meeting renews law enforcement with forest

By PHIL FAUVER Staff writer

The Commission approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Emery County and USDA, Forest Service Manti-La-Sal National Forest, which gives Emery County Cooperating Agency status. This is a renewal of a memorandum that has existed in the past. The memorandum was presented by Daren Olsen representing the forest service. He said, there have been questions about the forests service plan and involvement with the county on every project. This memorandum will resolve some of those questions and continue until Dec. 31, 2016. Commissioner James Nelson stated, this is an update of an expired memorandum and there appears to be no changes. Rosann Fillmore of the forest service confirmed the difference in this agreement and the agreement that expired in 2007 is that the county is no longer a coordinating agency but is changed to a cooperating agency. The forest service is the coordinating agency. There is no money attached to this agreement.
Kirt Rasmussen was appointed to fill a mid-term vacancy on the board of the Castle Valley Special Service District. The appointment of Martin Wilson to the Southeastern Utah District Health Department Board was ratified by the commission. Approval was also given to advertise for a new board member representing Emery County. Sharon Earl was approved to serve on the Emery County Council on Aging.
The Change Order #2 for the Buckhorn Information Center was discussed. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said, “Change Order #1 benefited the county $17,143.00. This Change Order #2 will cost the county $10,375.97. There are three items on the change order request. The rest rooms at the site need to be raised due to flooding when it rains. The rest rooms have to be raised about eight inches. That change will cost about $6,692. A gate for pedestrians to walk through the fence will cost $1,500 and a heater/air conditioner cover will cost about $10,000. The cover is needed to protect that piece of machinery from the elements and vandals. This change will put the total cost of the Buckhorn Information Center project at $182,280.90 still below the $189,047 that was bid on the project. This change order should be completed within the next 30 days.” The change order 2 was approved.
Approval was given for the 2012 Annual Operating Plan (Modification 2) for law enforcement between Emery County and Manti-La-Sal Forest. This agreement provides weekend and after hours patrol on forest service land. Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk said, “The funds to law enforcement are not very much.
Olsen of the forest service reported the money is divided up throughout the state and everyone is complaining that it is not enough. But there is only so much money in the pot. He said, this is not a local issue, it is across the whole state.
The commission approved the Huntington Airport insurance renewal which was increased $113 per year, which brings the annual total to $2,388.
The commission approved a new water connection for the road shop at Castle Dale and a transfer of one water share to Castle Dale City. To make this connection Castle Dale requested one water share. The road department has requested a two inch connection to allow them to maintain their equipment. Castle Dale will not charge for the connection other than the water share. The Castle Valley Special Service District will make the change. This change needs to be made before they start using salt on the roads. This water connection will help clean the equipment and keep down corrosion on the equipment.
Under citizens concerns: Commissioner Horrocks reminded everyone that on Nov.1 at 10 a.m., the Emery County Public Lands Council will be meeting.
Commissioner Laurie Pitchforth announced the retirement of Molly Scovill. She has prepared more than 6,000 meals for the senior citizens of Emery County. She started working in a restaurant when she was 16. Scovill was an employee of the Association of Governments and was paid through the AOG by the county. “We thank her for all of the service she has given,” said Pitchforth.
Commissioner Horrocks announced that the budgeting process would start today.