Commission to remain neutral on HB-49

By Patsy Stoddard

The Emery County Commission has changed to a neutral stance on HB-49 sponsored by Rep. Kay McIff. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said there have been some amendments made to the bill that have changed the minds of the Utah Association of Counties and the Utah Farm Bureau. The county will now remain neutral after previously sending a letter to Rep. McIff opposing the bill. “We have stopped lobbying against it,” said Commissioner Horrocks.
The commissioners presented the employee of the month award to Kaylee VanWagoner employee at the Emery County Aquatics Center. Commissioner Migliori said, “Kaylee has been an employee of the Emery County Aquatic Center since the pool opened in 2009. Beginning as a lifeguard, Kaylee was promoted to head lifeguard soon after employment and in 2014 became a certified lifeguard instructor and water safety instructor (swimming lessons). During her time employed at the pool, Kaylee became the recipient of a kidney transplant. Even on the days when she did not feel good, she was always pleasant to work With and kind to her patrons. She is a friend and surrogate mom to all the teenage lifeguards and loved by all. Teaching swimming lessons is one of Kaylee’s favorite joys of working at the pool. The students she teaches just love her and excel under her instruction. Kaylee has been assistant swim team coach for the Emery High School team for several years. This year her team completed an amazing season by finishing second place at the state competition in both girls and boys team events.”
The county denied an ambulance write off. Commissioner Ethan Migliori said no good faith payments have been made.
County Treasurer Steven Barton discussed the May tax sale. He said there are 18 properties on the list and 10 of those have homes on the property. He said this is the largest list he has seen as the treasurer. If you are delinquent in your taxes for five years then the property can be sold to recoup those taxes, Barton said he is very willing to work with the tax payers of the county to set-up payment plans for tax repayment. A letter was sent to those tax payers in January of 2013 and again in January of this year explaining their properties would be sold at the May tax sale if their taxes are not brought current. There has been one request by a tax payer to extend their deadline for payment for six months. The commission agreed to do this. Barton will handle any other requests for extensions in the same way and they will be approved in a future commission meeting.
The commission approved the CIB list of short and medium term projects. One project is a new public safety complex for Green River. Green River City is looking for assistance for a new fire station.
The commission approved the right of way grant between Emery County and the Bureau of Land Management for proposed upgrade and maintenance of an existing road at Millsite reservoir that accesses a vault toilet. Public Lands Director Ray Petersen explained the road would address the off-road activity in that area. There is an endangered cacti in the area. The county will work to stabilize the road and keep it maintained. You will still be able to access the reservoir and off-road trails in the area. This will make a real road where it’s a mud bog now.
In the commission reports, Commissioner James Nelson said their recent trip to Washington DC was a success and they met with all but one of the Utah Congressman. They talked to the undersecretary of agriculture and he was supportive of the county’s public land use bill.
Commissioner Nelson went to the library meeting, they are working on changing over from the Dewey Decimal system of book organization and the non-fiction books will be listed by subject matter.
In the fire district meeting they discussed the need for the mini-pumper trucks and these trucks are on the CIB list. These trucks are an important part of fire fighting.
Commissioner Migliori said the youth sports including soccer, baseball and softball will be starting soon. The Emery County Rec. District will be installing an indoor batting cage for next winter.
The Emery County Chamber is hosting a banquet on March 19. Jeff Beicker from the Green River Refinery will be speaking as well as Delynn Fielding from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
A grant for repairs for the Swinging Bridge has been received. The museum is doing well and interacting with the local community and schools.
The state parks is looking at an expansion for Goblin Valley State Park. If this occurs, Commissioner Migliori said, “This will make Goblin Valley a premier state park for hiking.”
Commissioner Horrocks said he talked to Sen. David Hinkins and the $400,000 promised for the debris basin for Huntington Canyon was pulled and then reinstated, but until the final day of the legislature the county won’t know for sure if this additional funding will be available for flood control in Huntington Canyon.
The seven county coalition is moving forward and a memorandum of understanding will be signed next week. They have plans to build a road through the Book Cliffs to carry oil and also a pipeline project to transport oil. They are also working on a tank farm. There is an individual company that has a tank farm near Wellington and is planning on a pipeline from Myton to Wellington. The coalition is looking to create jobs for these counties and to diversify the tax base. The county is still working to get natural gas for Emery, Green River and Lawrence.
There is a film company looking at making a movie in the Swell. Green River City is working on a trails project.
The county approved Brenda Tuttle to bid on water share assessments in the Cottonwood Creek Consolidated Irrigation Co. as per terms agreed upon.
Other items approved by the commission included: business license for Any Age Any Stage farrier business owned by Leslie Mills. Three percent wage increase for Susan Hess upon successful completion of her 6 month orientation period. Grade 7. Three percent wage increase for Alex Stilson for successful completion of his 6 month orientation period. Grade 3. Three percent wage increase for Nannette Harrison for successful completion of her 6 month orientation period. Grade 6.
Notification that Blaine Allen has been hired as a seasonal employee working 120 days in the Road Department. Wage $16.39 per hour. Not eligible for benefits.
Notification that Kevin Pierce has been hired as a part time Equipment Op. I working up to 19 hours per week. Not eligible for any benefits. Grade 16.