Commissioner Johnson Honored at Meeting

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Emery County Commission met in their regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. Those present were Commissioners Randy Johnson, Drew Sitterud and Ira Hatch. Also present was Sheriff Lamar Guymon and County Attorney Dave Blackwell.
The first item on the agenda was the approval of the check edit list, additional claims, requisitions and dispositions. The commissioners noted that the heating bill at the Ferron Library is still twice as high or more than the other libraries in the county. Commissioner Sitterud said he would check into the matter. Add ons included $1,500 to the Horse Canyon redevelopment project, charges to the state of Utah, airport expenses which included a new wind sock, assessor’s school, museum expenses, Texaco, Franklin Covey and Salt Lake Wholesale Sports for ammunition and to Utah Power for $2,354.86 for the power bill at the public safety complex. Clerk Bruce Funk also reported that two junk typewriters were ready for disposition. He also reported that Ray Petersen from the public lands division was now eligible for cell phone reimbursement at the rate of $45 per month.
Pat Snowball, personnel director was next on the agenda asking for the approval of the hiring of Yvonne Oliver for the position of custodian at the Elmo Library. Oliver was approved by the commission for the 10 hour per week position without benefits.
Sheriff Guymon said that Shaun Bell would be utilizing sick days due to donating part of his liver to a niece. He was also graduating from the police academy and they were working with him to see that he finished the required testing for this graduation. Kris Bell would be donating her remaining sick days to her husband, Shaun and others can donate their sick days to Shaun if it becomes necessary.
Sheriff Guymon said he would like to publicly thank Commissioner Johnson for his eight years of service as a commissioner. Sheriff Guymon also said he appreciated working with Commissioner Johnson.
Commissioner Johnson said he appreciated the sheriff’s remarks.
The next item on the agenda was the reappointment of the members to the Emery County Career Service Council. Commissioner Hatch said that he recommended the approval of the reappointment of those members currently serving on the board. Those members are Judy Scott, Randy Jensen and Keith Ware. Commissioner Hatch said he had contacted these board members and they are willing to continue to serve in this capacity.
The next item on the agenda was the consideration and the approval of a resolution amending the Emery County Resolution No. 4-6-99A providing for the disbursement of mineral lease funds to the special service districts in Emery County. The breakdown is: Special Service District #1, 44 percent, Castle Valley Special Service District, 13 percent, Emery County Recreation, 8 percent, Emery County Fire District, 8 percent, North Emery Water Users Special Service District, 2 percent, Municipal Building Authority of Emery County, 25 percent.
It was moved, seconded and approved that these percentages for the distribution of the mineral lease monies be adopted.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of the 2003 commission meeting and holiday schedule. The meetings will be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. There are 12.5 scheduled holidays for county employees. The commission also approved the municipal building authority meeting schedule.
The next item was the consideration and the approval of the contract with JCI Billing for ambulance billing services. In the service contract the JCI Billing requested a $2 increase to bring the cost to $17 per claim. Comments were made on the money spent for this service is money well spent. The collection of the ambulance billings has saved the county money. At times previous large sums were written off for ambulance billings that were not collected. The contract was approved with the $2 increase.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of the process to accept applications for positions which are expiring on the public lands council as well as the planning and zoning commission. The terms for Dennis Worwood, Wes Curtis and Dickson Huntington will expire at the end of the year from the lands council; Curtis and Worwood will not reapply for these positions. Judy Scott and Merrill Duncan on the planning and zoning commission hold terms which will expire at the end of 2002. It was determined that the commission will begin advertisement for these expiring terms immediately.
The next item on the agenda was the issuance of a business license for Amy Behling. Her business is called Farmhouse Frames and Decor in Ferron. The license was approved.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of the previous commission minutes with a few minor corrections.
Commissioner Hatch updated those present on the CIB money which is forthcoming to be used for a study on the water situation at Electric Lake and Skyline Mine. He said they have met with Carbon County commissioners and will be going out with a prospectus as soon as the funds become available. They will be looking for a hydroengineering firm and will interview applicants and pick from those applying to complete the study.
Commissioner Hatch also reported that he has had a lot of inquiries from citizens as to any changes in the county animal control policy. He recommended that they hold a public hearing before taking any action in matters of animal control and allow the public input in the matter.
Commissioner Sitterud reported that the matter of the low water boat ramp at Joes Valley is being worked on. The grant is ready and they are just waiting for replies from the agencies involved. Commissioner Sitterud said they expect to hear by Dec. 31 on the matter.
He also reported that a light at the Ferron Senior Center had been installed which sheds light on the steps. The parking lot is still dark and two poles are in place and Commissioner Sitterud will speak to Utah Power about the installation of lights on these poles. He also encouraged those present to try out the state’s 511 information system for road conditions.
Commissioner Sitterud said that it has been a privilege to work with Commissioner Johnson and he said Randy is well known and respected in Washington and everywhere he goes. “He has done a great job,” said Commissioner Sitterud.
Commissioner Johnson said he appreciated Commissioner Sitterud’s remarks.
Commissioner Hatch reported on scheduled improvements to the Huntington Airport. He said there will be some widening of the runway and improved lighting. Also drainage will be approved at the airport. The installation of a unicom communications system which will allow pilots and others to check on weather conditions is also on the list.
Commissioner Hatch said they haven’t received word yet on when the funding will become available but bids for the project have been solicited and two of these bids have been returned. He also mentioned they have met with the Green River people on the transient room tax, but they are no closer to a resolution in the matter. Transient room tax is collected quarterly and a decision should be made before the end of the first quarter. Commissioner Hatch said everyone should plan to operate on their existing budgets without the inclusion of any transient room tax funds for those departments eligible for those funds. He said one fly in the ointment is the vacating of the John Wesley Powell River Museum by Grand County on Jan. 1, 2003. Green River City will need a contingency plan to continue to operate the museum through this transitional time.
Commissioner Hatch expressed his appreciation to Commissioner Johnson. “It has been a pleasure to work with Randy on some challenging issues these last four years. I appreciate what Randy has done to help the county.”
Commissioner Johnson said, “It has been a pleasure to work with the elected officials over the past eight years.”
The elected officials presented a plaque of appreciation to Commissioner Johnson commending him for his past eight years of service on the Emery County Commission.
The next commission meeting will be held on Jan. 7, 2003 at 4 p.m.