The Emery High Marching Band will perform in the Disneyland Parade. The marching band is an award winning band that has performed in many parades over the years with winning results.
They have been in the Torchlight Parade in Seattle, Calgary Stampede, and the Days of 47 to name a few. A few band members approached the Emery County Commissioners to ask for a donation to help with trip expenses.
A donation for $250 was approved for the band. Reed Fehlberg, assistant band director, said the marching band has helped put Emery County on the map with their fine performances in different locations. Sixty-two band students, 10 chaperons along with three band directors, Ben Carroll, Eldon Carbine and Reed Fehlberg will accompany the students on their trip.
The commissioners commented on how good the band sounds and how they look forward to hearing them in the county parades.
On July 22, a site showing will take place at the metal building at the sheriff’s complex to allow contractors to prepare a bid for asphalt, curb and gutter and landscaping.
Costs to repair a loader that was in an accident was also discussed. Commissioner Ira Hatch was concerned that the estimated cost of repair had been exceeded by $10,000. Road department head, Rex Funk said some items on the loader were crushed in the accident and repairs exceeded what was originally anticipated once they tore it apart. Hatch expressed concern that the insurance company might balk at the added expense. The insurance company will reimburse the county for all but $1,000 of the repair cost of the loader.
In other business, a contract was approved with a company for the use of electronic check transfers for the payment of taxes.
A public hearing was set for Aug. 16 at 4 p.m. to discuss amendments to the County Master Plan. An amendment for a language change concerning RS-2477 roads and also including a map of the county road plan; stronger grazing language and a section on wild and scenic rivers.
The planning commission has a public hearing set for Aug. 11.
Public Lands director, Ray Petersen said the changes to the county plan will be used as a strategy to answer the Bureau of Land Management’s resource management plan.
The commission also approved a $250 donation to the American Legion from Huntington, Elmo, Cleveland and Lawrence for the placement of a plaque at each of the cemeteries to honor Veterans.
Rob Midgley, airport manager, requested a sign for the Huntington Municipal Airport. The commission assigned Rex Funk to talk to the state road department about the requirements for placing a sign directing people to the airport.
Jeff Guymon from the IT department discussed the new color copier they have available. It does a good job and can also print 11″ x 17″ copies. Guymon said he needs to know how to charge people for the use of the copier and how to make sure each department pays for their own copies. It costs 25 cents a copy for 8″ x 10″ copies. This amount was approved to charge the various departments and Guymon will check with the auditor and come up with a cost for the public.
The commission approved a letter of support for a grant application for value added producers. This grant will help promote Emery County business and give everyone an opportunity. The product being promoted is natural beef. The grant being applied for is a federal grant. Kathleen Truman has been working with Living Utah on this project and others that promote destination based tourism through local outfitters and businesses.
Two personnel items were taken care of at the commission meeting. An employee from the road department is on leave due to an on the job injury and other county employees can donate hours if desired to that employee. The commission approved the hiring of Michael VanWagoner for an opening in dispatch at the Emery County Sheriff’s Office.
Hatch reported that he and Ray Petersen had attended a SITLA meeting and also a DOGM meeting on the Lila Canyon Mine. He said they spoke in favor of the issuance of permits for Lila Canyon. SUWA presented their case and Lowell Braxton said they would take all comments into consideration and issue a decision.
The SITLA meeting dealt with the issuance of right-of-ways on SITLA land. Apparently some of the SITLA land sales have not included right-of-ways across their land and have forced out other landowners. The right-of-way goes to the person who bought the land. Hatch also mentioned to SITLA that they need to make sure right-of-ways extend across their land for accessing BLM land adjacent to parcels of SITLA land. SITLA tabled the matter for now and no board action was taken.
The Moore cut-off road inspection was approved and now plans are being made for the second phase of the project.
Commissioner Gary Kofford reported that the fair will be Aug. 3-7. They were notified recently that Spiderman will not be coming to the fair.
The changing of the light fixtures in the county building was discussed. Kofford said a ballast with a fixture of 1.25 rating was not in accordance with the retrofit by Utah Power and would not qualify for the $5 rebate on each fixture. It was determined that a few new fixtures and lights be installed and evaluated to see what works best and provides adequate lighting.
Commissioner Drew Sitterud reported that the recreation district bought a nice piano for use at the recreation center. Also, the piano cannot leave the fair site without permission from the commission. A bid was awarded for the foul ball net to be placed at the Huntington complex. The work can only take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to avoid conflicts with ball games. More work will also be done on the concession stand and storage room after the ball season is finished. Bids for the building of the skeet range will also be awarded soon.
Utah Power called the county and said the sales tax for Emery County had gone by mistake to a different state and the county would receive approximately $21,000 and the cities would also receive a check. Amount countywide was $120,000.
Sitterud reported that people from the state would be in the county next week obtaining written histories on the roads to be submitted for RS-2477 roads.
The Rising Sun horse business has purchased property along SR-10 and will be bringing their horse breeding operation to the county. They will also build an indoor arena, mare motel, and a store which sells feed, handmade bridles and saddles and other tack items. They hope to be here and set-up when the horse breeding season rolls around in January.
Sitterud stressed the need for anything discussed in executive session to remain private.