| Emery County Clerk Bruce Funk receives the new Diebold election machines. |
Emery County Clerk Bruce Funk was on hand to accept the new Diebold election machines delivered on Dec. 27. They will be stored in the old courtroom temporarily while they are tested. The Diebold company will do the training on the machines. The machines must be stored in a secure double locked room. It was determined at commission meeting that during the testing process the machines will be kept in the old courtroom and after the testing they might be moved for permanent storage into the law library. Storage needs will be assessed after the testing process.
The Emery County commissioners finished their end of year business at the last meeting of the year on Dec. 20.
Treasurer Steve Barton brought a request for a tax penalty abatement before the commission. The commission approved the abatement.
The commission ratified the contract with the state of Utah for the public library development grant in the amount of $6,890.
Funk was on hand to open the bid for a piece of property that through back taxes had become county property. One bid was received in the amount of $25. The bid was awarded to Ed Rasbold. County Attorney David Blackwell will complete the necessary paperwork.
Lance Wright from the Encore Theatre Company approached the commission for a donation to the company. The commission approved the standard $250 donation. The Encore company will be performing a melodrama at the county fair and recently put on their first production, “The Santa Show,” for the county.
Sharon Earl from the Emery County Chamber of Commerce reported on the Senior Citizen Christmas party. She said 186 county seniors attended the event which was a “roaring success.”
Maughn Guymon, director of aging for the Southeastern Utah Association of Governments thanked the chamber and the commissioners for the fun party for the seniors.
Commissioner Ira Hatch said he thinks that things are working out better now with the seniors and their entertainment by not hosting a big party in November, and by combining the chamber and commission party for seniors.
Guymon said he agreed and Thanksgiving dinners are held at each local center for the seniors which works out better for those involved.
Earl also mentioned the Castle Valley Pageant has been moved one week later in August and she wondered if any plans are set for the dates of the county fair and other activities.
Commissioner Drew Sitterud said they are still in the planning stages, but moving the county fair forward one week would put it at the same time as the Carbon County fair and the fair board wants to avoid that.
The pro rodeo is set for the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday of July. Sitterud mentioned the second week of the pageant might have activities at the museum. Earl said the chamber is still making plans for the lamb fry as well.
The commissioners set their meeting schedule for 2006. All meetings will be held the first and third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m. with the exception of the August 15 meeting which will be held in Green River at 4 p.m, with the board of equalization from 2-4 that day in Green River. In July only one meeting will be held due to July 4 falling on the first Tuesday. The commission also set the holiday schedule for 2006.
Personnel Director, Mary Huntington reported they needed to advertise for a secretary for the road department due to the resignation of Brook Riley. The road department is also recruiting for an equipment driver.
Commissioner Hatch said they are having a tough time recruiting level two drivers because it is a truck drivers market in the county currently. She reported that interviews had been held to fill Rex Funk’s position and Morris Sorensen was approved for the position.
Commissioner Gary Kofford requested permission to advertise for a janitor/custodial position due to changing the position from a contract position to a full-time county employee position.
Blackwell wondered about the need to advertise for the position since they are doing away with the contract. Kofford said he thought they had to post the job.
Blackwell said they are just changing the status of the position. Currently Dennis Fuller holds that janitor position. Kofford asked Fuller how long he had been in the position. Fuller said for 25 years. Commissioner Kofford made a motion to hire Fuller in the new position. A 30 day notice of cancellation of the current contract must be issued and Fuller will assume his new position effective Feb. 1.
Funk said they are creating a new position and wondered about the need to advertise. Kofford said they created and filled the position today and it won’t need to be advertised.
The commission approved the memorandum of understanding with the lobbyist, Robert K. Weidner in Washington D.C. The MOU is renewed yearly, this year the amount is $15,000 to do the work in Washington D.C. concerning public lands and rural issues.
The commission approved the grant application and agreement with UDOT for the Huntington Airport crack seal, fog coat and paint. The county has contracted with the Emery County Special Service District number one to do the work.
The commission will write a letter of support to UDOT concerning a right-of-way for an ATV route near Emery.
The commission set the mileage reimbursement for 2006 at 37.5 cents which is the same as 2005.
The commission approved the contract with JCI Billing Services, Inc. for ambulance billing services. There is a $3 per claim increase in the contract for 2006.
A public hearing was held to receive public comment on amendments to the 2005 budget for the Emery County General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Capital Project Funds, and for the Castle Valley Special Service District. Deputy Clerk, Brenda Dugmore said the amendments to the budgets are to bring into line adjustments for grants and additional revenue. Most departments are right in line.