Commission approves payment to lobbyist on SB 76

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The commission approved the payment of $4,000 to the lobbyist who worked on SB 76 Distribution of Revenues collected under the local sales and use tax act. Commissioner JR Nelson pointed out other counties are participating in this payment to the lobbyist. Horrocks said the county will receive ongoing payments for five years of $65,657, Emery Town will receive $2,680 and Huntington $39,069. Public lands director Ray Petersen asked where the agreement was before the lobbyist was hired. Horrocks said there was a contract to hire the lobbyist at a certain amount. As members of the Southeastern Utah Association of Governments the county is part of their decision making process. Nelson made a motion to pay the $4,000 to the lobbyist.
County commissioners approved a wage increase for Sam Smith and hired Scottee Hunsaker as a 90 day temporary employee at the Aquatic Center. Kristine Jensen was approved as a full time deputy clerk auditor with full benefits. The Hadden Flat Bridge sand blasting and painting will be completed at another time due to the expectations of high water this year. Three members were approved for the Emery County planning commission including Marie Anderson, Gary Arrington and Laura Rasmussen.
A recommendation for a resolution amending the Emery County Resolution regarding the Emery County Travel Bureau was tabled until a meeting to discuss any changes is held between the commissioners and the travel bureau council members. Tina Carter is the employee for the travel bureau.
The commission approved the contract for weed control on federal lands.
Laura Rasmussen from the Millsite Ladies golf association approached the commission to ask for a $250 donation to remain operational. Commissioner Horrocks asked how long the association has been in existence. Rasmussen answered for 10 years and they have members from Cleveland to Emery in the county. Horrocks said they have not donated to this group in the past. Rasmussen said the ladies help promote the golf course and pull interest to the golf course from people around the state. Their group is very proactive with the Millsite golf course in bringing visitors to our area.
Horrocks said she should look to other avenues to help finance the association. The commission voted to deny the ladies golf association any donation.
The commission approved a donation to the cancer society Relay for Life.
The commission considered possible ambulance write-offs for Rodney E. Davis, Jim Higgs and Thomas Ybanez.
The commission approved the schedule for road maintenance of forest service roads.
Petersen explained a program where the county will partner with the BLM in requesting OHV funding to improve public land kiosks, trail signs and mapping.
Mark H. Williams said he is part of the trails committee and part of the registration fees for registering OHVs go into this fund and it’s given back out in grants, obtaining rights of way, and to improve trails and signing across Utah. He is glad to see our local BLM participating in the program.
In the commission and elected officials reports: Sheriff Greg Funk reported it was a big Easter weekend for the county and he wasn’t unhappy with the snow and cold as it helps keep the crowds down. The population of the county doubles over Easter. All deputies were on patrol. There was a vehicle accident with one fatality and a camp trailer burned down. All and all he said it was a safe Easter.
Nelson said he attended the Utah Association of Counties training and attended classes as well as talking to other commissioners from other counties. Ray Petersen presented the public lands bill for Emery County to Carbon County and to Grand County to let them know what Emery County is doing in regards to public lands.
Pitchforth reported she attended the UAC meetings and they help give everyone a better understanding of the issues.
Horrocks said he attended UAC and was involved in meetings that discussed the state needing to be responsible for the costs involved in housing state prisoners. He attended meetings at the governor’s office with Lynn Stevens from San Juan County. They requested Gov. Herbert to support the locals in the management of public lands. The governor is in support of what Emery County and San Juan County are trying to do. He will draft a letter of support to send to Sen. Mike Lee in the US Senate as he seems to be the lone one from the Washington Delegation not on board with local input for public land management.
Horrocks said they met with the forest service on the maintenance of forest roads. Horrocks encouraged everyone to support the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser and to donate as much as you can.
The next commission meeting will be on May 10 at 9 a.m.