| The Castle Valley Pageant has been a yearly tradition since 1978 in Emery County. It will now be produced only every other year. |
During commission reports, Commissioner Drew Sitterud mentioned a change in the Castle Valley Pageant. He stated the pageant will only be held in Emery County every other year beginning in 2008. He also said the 2008 county fair will begin on Wednesday making the fair a day longer. He made a request for any local entertainment who wished to participate to get in touch with the fair board.
Two public hearings were held during the recent Emery County Commission meeting. The first was to receive public comments on ammendments to the 2007 budgets for general fund, special revenue funds, capital projects, and for the Castle Valley Special Service District.
Brenda Dugmore, Emery County Clerk/Auditor stated there was extra revenue come in that had not been put into the budget, and the request is to transfer that money to capital projects and salary adjustments.
Darrel Leamaster of the CVSSD stated this amendment is for transferring amounts for projects which carried over from 2007 to 2008.
No public comment was given and the commissioners closed the public hearing. Back in regular commission meeting, the commissioners voted to approve the two amendments.
The second public hearing was entered into, it was to receive public comment concerning the 2008 budget. Commissioner Sitterud stated the purpose of this hearing was to hear comments about the changes in the budget. In the 2008 budget, new salary schedules are being implemented along with years of services increases.
When the salary survey was completed last year, it was determined that employees in Emery County were below the average for their counterparts in other counties in the state. Their wages were adjusted and now some of those employees make more than their supervisors. The new budget proposes a $6,000 increase for elected officials and two judges.
Dugmore addressed the judgment levies which are being advertised in the newspaper. The increase in tax amounts will not be realized by Emery County. This money is needed to repay $20 million to PacifiCorp in appealed taxes. This amount equates to a $250,000 overpayment in tax revenue to entities in Emery County. Each of these entities, CVSSD, Emery Water Conservancy District, and the Emery School District, along with the county, will each have to repay a portion of this amount.
After the public hearing was closed, with no public comments, the commissioners voted to approve the 2008 budget for the general fund, special revenue funds, capital projects, and for the Castle Valley Special Service District.
The next Emery County Commissioners meeting is Dec. 18 at 9 a.m.