The commissioners met in their regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 20. Those present were Commissioners Randy Johnson, Ira Hatch and Drew Sitterud. Also in attendance were Sheriff Lamar Guymon, County Attorney Dave Blackwell and Carol Cox recorded the meeting.
Chairman Hatch invited Paula Wellnitz to begin the meeting with prayer and Sheriff Guymon led those present in the pledge of allegiance. The first item of business was citizen concerns. Rosann Fillmore from the economic development office asked the commissioners for a tax abatement on the newly acquired house which was donated to the Emery County Foundation. Commissioner Johnson said that an abatement for this year’s taxes would be appropriate to help them get their feet on the ground. This abatement was not a permanent one though but up for review each year.
Commissioner Hatch explained that the foundation’s offices would be moved to the new house and that the house would also be used for various activities. The motion was made, seconded and carried to abate the taxes for 2001. The next item on the agenda was the approval of the safe communities grant.
The next item was the request to relocate the power poles on the North Elmo Highway. Craig Johansen of Johansen and Tuttle Engineering discussed the proposal with the commissioners. It was brought out that a formal request is required from the commissioners and an entry in the minutes of a commissioners meeting is required in order for Utah Power to begin the relocation process. Johansen pointed out that along this portion of road 31 poles must be moved back. This relocation of power poles in addition to the moving back of fences and water lines must take place along this corridor in advance of any road work.
Rex Funk of the road department mentioned a meeting the North Emery Water Users Special Service District held with the property owners along this corridor. The process has begun to get right-of-way easements. Funk said the only controversy was some trees which were in the way. Those along the road were anxious for road improvements, but mentioned that with an improved road vehicle speed along the road would increase which concerned residents.
It was also mentioned that telephone lines will also need to be moved and the telephone company should be contacted immediately about this move.
The next item discussed was the contract with Bureau of Land Management for access to cross BLM land with the sewer line to the new public safety complex. Commissioner Hatch signed the agreement which will be sent back to BLM.
The next item discussed was the handicap approach to the courthouse. Work will be done on this to make it wheelchair accessible and come into compliance.
Commissioners introduced Larry Young to the meeting. He is with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. Young said, “My wife Christine and I are here in the area visiting. We wanted to take the time to get to know the people and the land. My wife always asks me why we can’t agree on stuff. We are going hiking and we had breakfast with Kent Petersen. We just wanted to get a feel for the Emery County folks.”
Commissioner Hatch thanked them for coming and attending the meeting. Young said they would have to do a SUWA board meeting down here sometime.
Commissioner Sitterud updated those present on his trip to the Utah Association of Counties meeting which he attended with Pat Snowball, personnel director. He mentioned that the meetings were informative and that in the insurance meeting they spoke of drastic increases in insurance costs.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned that UAC was well attended and that the counties statewide want to unite against the centrally assessed properties and be unified in dealing with the problem.
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