Orangeville City discusses pay raises for employees

By PHIL FAUVER staff writer

Orangeville City Council held their council meeting which was opened by Mayor Pat Jones.
Mayor Jones questioned the bill for dues received from Castleland Resource Conservation and Development a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Castle Dale. City Recorder Ruanne Leeflang supplied the necessary information. This organization’s mission is to work with community leaders and volunteers to enhance southeastern Utah communities. Details about this organization can be found at www.castlelandrcd.org. The Council approved all bills and warrants.
Shantel Sitterud then came before the city council to thank the council for making it possible for her and Mikayla McNee to attend Girls State this year. Council member Carrol Stilson asked the girls to return and report what they learn at Girls State.
“The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and country. High school girls, who have completed their Junior year, spend an intensive week of study, working together as self-governing citizens at Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State programs in every state.” Information taken from: www.boysandgirlsstate.org.
Terry Lofthouse of Castle Dale requested the city grant him a business license to operate a gift store on the second floor of Food Ranch. This gift shop will feature hand made items from communities around the area and Indian made products. He is also working on getting a tour guide business going. The customers he expects to attract are tourists and rock climbers. The license was granted.
Paul Riddle asked for relief from a water leak that was estimated to be about 10,000 gallons of water lost. He dug up the water line at his home and replaced it. The council agreed to only charge him half of the bill. Paul agreed to pay his half $49.92.
Charles and Kim Turner requested an animal permit be issued to them for raising chickens. A permit was issued for a maximum of 18 chickens on their property in the Orangeville subdivision. They were asked by the Mayor to answer two riddles: If a chicken and a half laid an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs would it lay in a week and a half? If you put a hen on the peak of the roof and the hen lays an egg, which way does the egg roll? He told them, this is a test. Go home and think about it.
Renewal of the lease for Sheila Phillips was discussed. Sheila Phillips has been leasing the building at Orangeville’s old city dog pound for her sign business at the rate of $200 per month. Sheila makes signs for Orangeville City and other businesses. She recently added insulation to the building. This insulation has resulted in a reduction in the utility bill that the city is paying. She was compensated for the cost of the insulation by exchanging the insulation cost for rent. There is no sewer or water to the building at this time. The sewer and water lines will be repaired soon by the city. The council agreed to leave the rent at $200 per month for another year.
The council approved hiring a new part time city employee, Steven Orr. He will be working at the Orangeville Cemetery.
The Mayor brought up the 2013 to 2014 budget and asked the city council to consider a raise in pay for the three full time city employees, the Mayor and the City Council Members approved raising the three full time employees by $1 per hour starting July 1, 2013.
The Mayor suggested raising the compensation for the Mayor and the Council members to encourage more citizens to become involved on the city council. He said, the Mayor and council have not seen a raise in compensation for 20 or 25 years. He suggested the Mayor’s monthly compensation be raised from $400 per month to $600 per month and the council members compensation be raised from $200 to $300 per month. Mayor Jones said, Huntington is paying $1,600 per month for the Mayor and $800 per month for council members. Castle Dale is paying $550 per month for the Mayor and $275 per month for Council members. Mayor Jones commented that this is his last year and the raise would not affect him. As this was a discussion item no action was taken.
City Recorder Ruanne Leeflang suggested adding a capital project fund to the budget for capital improvements such as replacing playground equipment which is starting to deteriorate. At this time we do not have any funds for a capital project.
Council member Ben Orgill reminded the council of the outstanding debts the city currently has for the playground equipment and how well these debts are being paid down.
The 2013-2014 tentative budget, which is an outline of expectations, was passed and will again be discussed at next month’s meeting when the city council will finalize the budget.
Orangeville City will be raising water rates by 2 percent or $1.42 per 1,000 gallons of water used. This is something that happens every year and will begin July 1. A small incremental raise each year was felt to be better than not raising the water rate for several years and then raising the rate a large amount to make up for needed revenue. Orangeville City water rates are low compared to the rest of the state said Mayor Jones.
Council member Carole Larsen of the Planning and Zoning Commission said they were looking into updating the Nuisance Ordinance by adding a line against using engine brakes on Orangeville City streets. Dog owners are to be reminded that all dogs must be controlled in the city.
Leeflang reported the dates for filing for the City Council election will be from June 3 to June 7.
Orangeville’s proposed participation in the County Fair and in the State Fair was discussed by Council member Carole Larsen. Many suggestions were made as to what should be in the Orangeville display at these fairs.
Carol Stilson from the City Beautification Committee announced a City Clean Up Day was held on April 27 from 8 am until noon at the Lone Tree Park, the Cemetery, cleaning gutters up and down Main Street and cleaning the City Park. She said groups worked together and moved from place to place.
A Memorial Day program will be held at the cemetery.