Commissioners outline 2005 responsibilities

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The commissioners elected a new chairman for 2005 at the commission meeting on Jan. 18. Commissioner Gary Kofford nominated Commissioner Ira Hatch to be the chairman for 2005. The motion was seconded and approved. Commissioner Drew Sitterud went over the list of commissioner responsibilities for the year. Sitterud: Association of governments, assessor, Canyon Country, Division of Wildlife Resources, IT department, justice court, public lands, RC&D, recreation district/fair, recorder/archives, TV/communications, and sheriff’s office.
Hatch: airport, BLM, clerk/auditor, ECSSD#1, extension office, personnel, road department, senior citizens, public lands, travel councils, workforce services, weed/mosquito, and historical preservation committee.
Kofford: ambulance/EMTs, animal control, attorney, chamber of commerce, county facilities, planning/zoning, treasurer, USFS, homeland security, fire district, landfill, library, mental health, public lands, COG, ambulance, economic development, and wildland fire.
Delena Fish from the workforce services was on hand to discuss worksite learning opportunities for the county. She described different programs that clients for workforce services can be involved. Nonpaid interns, paid interns, on-the-job training and apprenticeships were cited. Fish presented information to the county to gauge their interest in being involved with the workforce services and their clients. She said the program is for low income individuals without a lot of work experience. The jobs are used as a training ground for these individuals to develop marketable skills. An employment counselor also works with the individual to help alleviate any problems they might have with the job.
The Division of Workforce Services pays the wages of the individual except with the on-the-job training where the county would pay half of the wages. A time sheet is to be submitted to the DWS for the employee. The DWS also picks up any related expenses with the employee like liability insurance and unemployment benefits. The DWS also supervises the employee. Workers learn to come to work on time and follow directions. Some of the on-the-job training might lead to full time work. The internships are usually just temporary learning experiences. Workers are available anywhere from 10-40 hours per week.
The DWS also offers a summer employment program for the youth where they can gain work and socialization skills. Fish suggested the county come up with a description of a job and what would be required and the DWS would match individuals to the job.
The commissioners determined they would bring the matter up in the elected officials and department head meeting next month to see if any job opportunities exist and they would get back to Fish on the matter.
The commission discussed a box to hold the crosswalk signs in Orangeville. They want to keep the box behind the Orangeville library sign. The commission approved the request from Orangeville.
Commissioner Hatch said the terms have expired for the members of the Emery County Historical Preservation Committee. He requested approval to begin advertising to fill these positions. The committee is currently working on two projects, the Muddy Creek Bridge and the San Rafael Swinging Bridge.
The commission approved the cooperative agreement with the Utah State Extension Service for 2005.
The awarding of the filter bid went to Bookcliff Sales in Price.
A public hearing has been set for Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. to hear public comment on a proposed ordinance to establish a reliable and consistent system of addressing property in Emery County. Written comments will also be taken at the clerk’s office until Feb. 1 at 5 p.m.
Commissioner Sitterud spoke of a letter being sent to Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert about the consistency review of the BLM resource management plan and also the forest revision plan. This consistency review is the last step before the documents are sent to Washington for final approval. Herbert requested a letter of recommendation from the counties on what he should look for in the review. The letter has been prepared including 11 pages with 82 different items pointed out.
The commission approved the beginning of the grant process for a new ambulance for Castle Dale.
The commissioners gave their reports; Hatch said he had met with the travel council and had good discussion. The county is now collecting its own transient room tax. The appropriate letters and forms have been sent to all of the vendors so they can submit these taxes to the county.
Hatch said he also met with Mark Mansfield on the Hunter Plant interchange. They are working on a plan which they will submit to the county and to UDOT for their consideration.
The airport improvement plan will be discussed at a public meeting, the plan has been prepared by Jones and Demille.
Kofford said the legislature is now in session and he can get copies of bills being introduced and if anyone has a question on the legislative bills they can contact him and voice their questions and concerns. Feb. 4 will be the Utah Association of Counties day at the legislature where you can meet and speak with your representatives. Kofford also mentioned that Sen. Mike Dmitrich will be currently unable to attend the legislature due to a recent surgery.
Sitterud said he had attended the Green River Greek Festival and awards banquet for their city’s volunteers. Green River has the most volunteers per capita in the state of Utah.
He also said they had met with the BLM on the Wedge and the BLM proposal for the Wedge is more favorable than the one first presented.
Improvements to the camping and road are being considered. Sitterud also reported the fence has been moved at Temple Mountain to reopen the road that was fenced off.
This road was designated open in the route designation plan.