Commissioners report now is the time to pass the land bill

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

The Emery County Commissioners met for their June meeting. Ray Petersen, public lands director reported they sent a letter to the forest concerning the forest service plan revision. The forest service is taking statements from cooperating agencies. The county has partnered with the Emery Conservancy District and the county references their plan and the county plan and states the position of the county regarding the forest service plan revision. These comments were due by June 1 so they have been sent and now a ratification of the letter of priority statements from Emery County regarding plans to coordinate with the new Forest Service Plan needs ratification.
The commission tabled the bid for the Tourism Website for further discussion. There was a vast difference in the costs of the website companies willing to take on the project and the commission would like to look into the matter further. Commissioner Wilson said, “We met yesterday and took the four bids under consideration down to one but it still needs discussion.”
Clerk/Auditor Brenda Tuttle said the 2018 May tax sale took place with one property being sold. All other properties were redeemed. The commission approved the May tax sale proceedings.
Treasurer Steven Barton approached the commission concerning adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Emery County Treasurer and the Emery County Clerk/Auditor User Access to the Utah Public Treasurers’ Investment Fund Account for Emery County. He said they have always been the authorized party to manage the account but there isn’t a written document formalizing these two officials as the authorized party. County Attorney Mike Olsen said he has drawn up a paper outlining these two elected officials as the authorized party to access the Emery County account.
The board approved the agreement between PacifiCorp and Emery County for payment of PASS Chip Seal Oil for Rilda Canyon Road. This project was delayed from last year due to the pipeline project for the Deer Creek Mine.
The board adopted a resolution authorizing the filing of Cross-Appeals for 2018 Centrally Assessed Properties. The tax appeals are coming in and Attorney Olsen said its important for the county to preserve the right to cross appeal the tax protests and exam each appeal as they come in.
The commission approved the contract for Court Security between the State of Utah, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Emery County Sheriff’s Office. Attorney Olsen said this is an annual contract renewal with the state.
The commission approved Change Order #8 on the Millsite Dam Rehabilitation Project. The changes were for completion date milestones. The changes included the outlet works which were halted for testing and modification to the spillway for changes in drainage.
The commission approved Emery County’s Beer Tax Funds Plan for the State Fiscal Year 2019. Capt. Ekker said these funds are used for extra shifts and education programs.
Jordan Leonard approached the commission for approval to submit a BEAR Grant Application. Leonard said this grant will be used for helping small home based businesses to grow. A recent success was when Dale Curtis who was working out of his garage relocated to the Johansen and Tuttle building. In Castle Dale there are 63 homebased businesses and in Orangeville 72. Countywide there are more than 300. “We will help those businesses to grow into a retail space. The Central Warehouse, the Hydraulics building, there are places they can relocate to. The grant will also be used for recruitment. The grant is for $30,000 to help businesses grow from cottages to commercial. The grant is due on June 11.”
There are also plans for a business fair where small businesses could come and meet with experts who can help them grow. Maybe they need help with finance, location, marketing, etc. These experts will help them advance to the next level. There is money in the economic development budget to match the grant money for this project.
The commission also approved a letter to GOED supporting Emery County’s Local Businesses.
Another project involving Emery County Economic Development is the Bright Ideas for kids. Twenty-five kids have signed up so far. This project teaches children to develop their ideas for a project. They will be at the fair during Bingo night to sell/promote their projects. These ideas will help promote economic growth in Emery County.
Commissioner Wilson was in support of the Bright Ideas. “Think back 100 years, everyone was self-employed back them. This will teach kids the concept of being in business and help them to overcome barriers. It will also help them realize it’s not as hard as you think.”
A Performance Agreement with Sean Bott for performances during the 2018 Emery County Fair was approved. He will perform on the Saturday of the fair. He is a mind reader with a comic act and there will be one performance.
Randy Johnson reported the Senate will not break for their usual August recess. They will spend one week in their districts. This gives a little more time for the Emery County lands bill to be considered. Sen. Hatch is trying to get the hearings on the Emery County Public Land use bill. Johnson said he doesn’t know yet when the hearings will be on the House side. When that happens someone will need to go testify in Washington. “I’ve been listening to the local people on their concerns with the lands bill. I have asked them to show us what they want addressed. Some people have asked us to wait a year. The situation right now with Rob Bishop chairman on the natural resources committee and John Curtis a member of that committee and Sen. Hatch is retiring and he wants our legislation to be one of his legacies.”
Johnson believes the time is right now if Emery County has a shot to get this legislation passed. “If we don’t pass this bill this year, it’s likely someone else will make some decisions for us,” said Johnson. The state natural resources committee will be in Emery County for a tour of the proposed lands. “It’s a great opportunity to have them here. Sen. Hinkins arranged for this tour and I’d like to thank him.”
The county is on the agenda for the state natural resources committee on June 21 to report on the Emery County Lands Bill. “We need their support,” said Johnson.
“We have worked very hard to protect our roads and water. The language in the bill is written with no buffer zones. This is our best shot we need to keep pushing this (lands bill) along.
Sheriff Greg Funk said there were two recent rescues. A man fell five feet off the Wedge and broke his leg. Near the swinging bridge two guys were hiking up an outcropping and couldn’t get down. A chopper had to pick them up. The Trail Mountain controlled burn has started and they will burn through June 7 and then control the perimeters after that. The Search and Rescue fund raiser triathlon will be held July 13-14 at Huntington Lake State Park.
Sheriff Funk will get a 15 minute head start and whoever catches him first will win $100 and everyone after that will receive a medal for passing him.
Jax Gardner was hired as a seasonal Weed and Mosquito Technician. Angellena Migliori, Kaelee Hooley, Josie Gilbert and Emelyn Oliverson were hired as part time lifeguards. Charlene Jensen was hired as a 3/4 time Deputy Treasurer working 29 hours per week with prorated benefits. Clive Gordon was hired as a full time Lube Mechanic.
Jaime Garrett Anderson was hired as a 3/4 time Justice Court Clerk working 29 hours per week with prorated benefits.
Natalie Humphrey was given a 3 percent wage increase for successful completion of her 6 month orientation period.
McKlane Allred, Jorgen Allred and Tappan Draper were hired as a full time Dispatcher I with full benefits.
Kobi Erni was appointed to the Emery County Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
Steph Crabtree was appointed to the Emery County Housing Authority Board of Directors.
Commissioner Paul Cowley discussed the 2018 Emery County Firework plan.