Work continues on senior center in Huntington

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

At the June 12 commission meeting Morris Sorensen was approved for a seat on the Emery Water Conservancy District board. The commission will advertise for a member for the Emery County Care and Rehab board. The commission signed a memorandum of understanding between Emery County and the Bureau of Land Management for greater sage-grouse national planning strategy, Utah sub-region participation.
The commission approved a contract between Emery County and the Utah State History for a grant to be utilized for a historical kiosk at the Lucky Strike Mining Area.
Jeff Kelsey, discussed the costs of insurance to Emery County and the details of the renewal. Emery County has a 67 percent loss ration which is good. All claims are paid in a timely manner which saves the county money. The county has done well with wellness programs and trying to have healthy employees has helped to keep costs down. For this year there is a zero rate increase. The only thing that went up was the life insurance.
Commissioner Jeff Horrocks thanked Kelsey for his work and appreciates him getting the best rates for the county.
The county has adopted the fire restrictions imposed for state and federal lands.
The county adopted the tax rates for the year. This year’s rate is .003525. Brenda Dugmore, county clerk reported income is up by $42 million, but that is from PacifiCorp and it’s appealed every year and the county will most likely have to pay that back.
Jacob Sharp, director of the Castle Valley Special Service District reported the debt service has come down a small amount. The combined rate with the general operations and the bond debt service is .002408.
Commissioner James Nelson said Rocky Mountain Power will help the county save money on new and existing buildings by doing energy audits.
Commissioner Horrocks said he attended an award banquet for risk management and Gaylee Jeffs and Mary Huntington completed the course. He was able to take a flight on a helicopter while the National Guard was here and enjoyed it very much. A fly-in will be held on Sept. 28-29 at the Huntington Airport. There will be a trap shoot and camping at the back country air strips in the area. There will be a car show and lunch and dinner at the airport.
Commissioner Nelson reported he appreciates the work the DNR recovery specialist is doing to keep species off the endangered species list including the Colorado cutthroat. If a species is listed it tends to shut everything down.
The municipal building authority meeting was also held. A public hearing was conducted to gain input for the construction of the new weed and mosquito building and shop. It is an $850,000 project and will be build with a matching grant from the Permanent Community Impact Fund Board.
Work continues at the Huntington Senior Citizen center. All the lighting work and the electrical is complete. The floor coverings need to be completed and the new countertops in the kitchen. The fuel tank needs to be relocated at the Huntington Airport. This will be split into two projects a new fuel tank will be purchased and relocated. The drainage and power lines will also be a project. Some of these projects will need to be budgeted for next year.
The commission approved 90 day temporaries for the county including Cardell Sackett at the Emery County Economic Development, Sara Grindley in the library system, Shantel Sitterud and Kim Behling in the Aquatic Center, Earl Nelson in the road department. Volunteers approved for the library system include: Todd Huntington, Michelle Jefferies, Jenny Jackson, Mike Sprague, Corbin Barnett, Steve Furner, Clayton Laws, Hailee Rogers, Shelby Williams, Brandon Hoffman, Remi Hoffman, Tanner Hoffman, Drake Hoffman, Malory Hoffman, Gordon Larsen, Mindi Larsen, Andee Harris, Nicky Nielson, Kate Nicholson, Lauren Clarke, Cole Clarke, Kathryn Allred, Kori Cook, Alexis Cook, Angelia Fox and Larisa Guymon. A 3 percent wage increase and COLA increase was approved for Meagan Wilberg and Seth Weber. Clayton Fox was hired as a part-time maintenance worker for the library system.
A business license was approved for Momma’s Boy Labor and Hauling.