Commission holds public hearing on budgets

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Emery County Commission took care of a lot of business in their December meeting as this was the only meeting of the month.
Justin Truman and Seth Weber were promoted to Equipment Driver/OP-II. Tyson Huntington was promoted to Patrol Deputy II. Out of state travel was approved for Tina Carter to travel shows in Sacramento, Calif. Denver, Colo, Tacoma/Seattle Wash and Quartzsite, Ariz. Mike McCandless was approved to attend the Quartzsite, Ariz. travel show.
The commission approved a $100 discount for all Emery County Employees on a season pass at the Emery County Aquatics Center. Commissioner James Nelson said it is a great opportunity for the employees and he hopes they take advantage of the offer.
The workers compensation policy with the Utah Local Governments Trust was approved. Last year the county was overcharged and with that refund, there will be a small increase in this year’s fee.
The ratification of the South Huntington debris basin test holes was approved.
The commission approved a sponsorship agreement with the County Seat television program. The commission said the program is a benefit to the county and programs have often spotlighted Emery County and issues pertaining to the county. The amount donated was $ 6,600.
The commission approved an agreement with Randy Johnson, Government Matters LLC for lobby efforts. The agreement is for $23,000. Commissioner Nelson said Johnson is used to lobby with the state legislature and in Washington DC. He is helping with the Emery County public land use bill.
The board approved the reappointment of McKette Allred to the Emery County Career Service Council. Liz Nielsen was reappointed to the Emery County Housing Authority Board. Ross Huntington was reappointed to the Emery County Housing Authority Board.
Judy Ann Scott from Green River was reappointed to the Emery County Council on Aging and Nutrition and to the Planning Commission. Roxanne Jensen was approved for a reappointment to the Southeastern Utah Board of Health.
Commissioner Nelson said the boards for the various organizations are very necessary and they help with the decision making for that organization.
Shirley VanZyverden was reappointed to the library board. Randy Jensen, Tina Carter and Nancy Espanet were appointed to the Museum of the San Rafael board.
The meeting and holiday schedule for 2014 was approved for the county commission and the local building authority.
The board approved the wildland fire budget between Emery County and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State lands.
The commission held a public hearing to hear any comments on the amended 2013 budget and the proposed 2014 budget for Emery County and for the Castle Valley Special Service District.
The budgets were approved.
The commission approved the agreement between Emery County and the Manti-LaSal National Forest for providing law enforcement on forest service lands.
The commission approved a resolution approving submission of application to the state of Utah designating commercial and industrial zones as enterprise zones.
Commissioner Migliori said these enterprise zones help businesses to grow and expand.