As part of the Feb. 9, commission meeting a public hearing was held to receive input on the issuance and sale of up to $1.3 million general obligation bonds by Castle Valley Special Service District for the purpose of paying for capital improvement projects.
CVSSD manager Jacob Sharp said the projects will include street improvements, curb and gutter, drainage, culinary water improvements, and sewer improvements. The projects are scheduled to be completed this year.
The bond will be zero percent interest. Sharp said one aspect is different with the issuance of these bonds than bonds in the past. The district is asking the bond repayment be delayed with the first payment being due in 2013, this will give the district time to pay off the final bond from the 2001 bond election.
Sharp said there is also a $520,000 grant from the CIB which will go towards this years projects. Alex Buxton from Zions Bank was on hand to answer any questions regarding the bond. There weren’t any public comments given either for or against the issuance of bonds.
Commissioner Gary Kofford closed the public hearing and returned to regular commission meeting where he and Commissioner Jeff Horrocks voted to approve the sale and authorization of the bonds. Buxton said March 23 is the day they will close on the bonds and all legal requirements have been met.
In other business the commission approved the re-appointment of Judy Ann Scott and Darrell Gardner to the Emery County Planning Commission. A modification was made in the federal aid agreement for the Goblin Valley road phase 2. This modification reflects an increase in the amount. A grant application was approved between Utah State History and the Emery County Preservation commission for an interpretive sign at Temple Mountain.
Tyson Huntington was approved to move to Correction Officer number I for his completion of Fred House. John Jacobsen was approved as a temporary nine month employee for the road department. A business license was approved for Conductive Composites in Green River. A business license was approved for Dutch Flat Firearms.
Service awards were given to county employees. Five year awards went to Clayton Bell, Mike Van Wagoner, Kathleen Marshall, Gaylene Gillespie, Marie Anderson, Jakie Collard and Mike McCandless. Ten year awards went to Ken Eley, EMT, Jim Gordon EMT, Tracy Nielson and Brent Langston. The 15 year awards went to Nancy Orgill and Marion Mangum. Twenty year awards went to John Spinney, Linda Smith, Annette Allen and Leslie Bolinder.
A 25 year service award went to Morris Sorensen and a 30 year service award went to Norm Vuksnick; Jerilyn Mathis received a 35 year service award.
Commissioner Horrocks said, “Thanks to the employees of Emery County. They work hard for the citizens of Emery County and I want to thank them all.”
Commissioner Kofford said, “We have the best employees in the country. It’s a great place to work.”
The commission received a letter from the Carbon County commission wondering if Emery County could contribute to the youth detention center. The detention center is currently facing cuts from the legislature and they expect a $60,000 reduction from last year’s budget. Kofford said last year there were 169 juveniles who went to the Carbon County facility from Emery County. If they were not longer able to be taken to Carbon the juveniles would have to be transported to Provo. The calculations were approximately $150 per arrest which led to a request for $17,000 contribution from Emery County.
Kofford said shortages at the state level put more of an impact back at the local level. The money wasn’t budgeted for a contribution to the detention center, but Kofford said they would find the money and then reopen the budget and make adjustments. “It’s cheaper to help fund Price than to send an officer to Provo. Horrocks requested they table the item until an actual cost is available after Carbon County sees what the shortfall will be and Emery County will approve a contribution at that time.
Another phase of the airport improvement plan will go forward this year with a crack seal project and a clear area project to remove obstructions. The plan listed the approximate cost for these improvements to be $350,000. UDOT is prepared to give $137,000 towards the project and the county contribution will be $13,000. The money will come from the Emery County Special Service District number one and will include a seal coat on the runway and repainting.
The Architectural Coalition was approved to begin a plan to add office space in the sheriff’s office training building. An office will be created for Bret Mills in communications and for Jim Gordon, ambulance supervisor. Architectural Coalition will develop the project and get it ready for bid.
A fee waiver was granted to Huntington City to replace a furnace.
An amended warranty deed was granted to Wade and Tracy Nielsen to allow continued use on a road through Lawrence cemetery to allow access to corrals. The county bought the property from the Nielsens to expand the Lawrence cemetery.
Under citizen concerns, Kofford mentioned Morris Sorensen with the road department is looking at used tank trailers to be used for the road department. They recently discovered one of their tanks in use in Green River was rusted out. The commission approved travel for Sorensen and Wade Nielsen to travel out of state to look at army surplus tankers.
Horrocks reported the Green River clinic expansion project is moving along and an architect is designing the project. He attended the fire district meeting and the fire district has received a grant for the purchase of new fire trucks. Discussion centered around getting and keeping fire fighters trained. Instructional CDs will be used and then the firefighters will take the state test.
Kofford said the Emery County Care and Rehab center is progressing and the kitchen and laundry will soon be ready to use. The old kitchen and laundry will be demolished when the new kitchen is ready. There are floor problems in the south wing which must be solved. Kofford attended the recreation board meeting and new board members there were oriented to the projects the recreation district is involved with. An insurance presentation was made by two insurance companies interested in covering recreation events. Kofford attended the non-urban joint highway committee meeting. Work will be done this year on Green River Boulevard. Some curb and gutter will be done in Green River this summer and the improvements to Green River Boulevard.
The next commission meeting will be Feb. 23 at 9 a.m.
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