Commission approves joining the seven county coalition

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Emery County Commission approved the Resolution and Interlocal Agreement creating the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition on July 22. Eric Johnson the lawyer for the organization has worked to draw up the agreement. He came to commission meeting to answer any questions the commission and meeting attendees had about Emery County joining forces with the coalition.
Within the resolution which also includes: Carbon, San Juan, Daggett, Uintah, Duchesne, San Juan and Grand counties; these counties will join forces to create one coalition. This coalition shall be a political subdivision and corporate subdivision of the state of Utah. This coalition will be separate and independent of all participating counties. The boundaries of the coalition will be the combined boundaries of all seven counties. As of July 22, the Grand County council had not signed the resolution.
The purpose of the coalition is to encourage and promote multiple uses of natural resources and to foster communication, coordination and planning between members. The coalition will be made up of an elected official from each of the seven participating counties.
The coalition will work to promote and develop projects within the seven county area. The coalition will help to plan, finance, acquire, develop, construct, manage, operate, maintain, repair, administer and control the projects. The coalition will be able to enter into contracts and agreements to fulfill the purposes of the organization.
The coalition will be able to borrow money, but will not be a taxing entity. It will not be able to issue general obligation bonds.
The coalition will work to identify, discuss, study and bring into focus regional challenges and look for opportunities for economic development.
The commission approved Joshua Rowley as a member of the Emery County Travel Bureau.
James Nielsen was approved as a member of the Weed/Mosquito Board.
The commission approved the contract between Emery County and the State of Utah for a $100,000 grant to continue the Russian Olive Eradication Project.
The commission approved the Right of Way Easement for the South Huntington Canyon Debris Basin between Andalex Resources, Inc. and Pacificorp dba Rocky Mountain Power.
The board approved a cell phone stipend for Cory Worwood, the new weed and mosquito director.
Commissioner James Nelson reported the dredging is ongoing at Millsite Reservoir.
The governor is getting involved in the Bishop’s public lands initiative and has assigned two men to work with the county, Alan Matheson and Brad Peterson. Matheson was in the county to meet with Ray Petersen, the public lands director. Commissioner Nelson said he appreciates the help of all the volunteers in putting together the rodeo and fair which begin this week.
He thinks it is time to revisit the tippage fee for the county land fill. He thinks a flood tax is needed and should be looked at to cover expenses incurred with all the flooding events in the county. It is a very small tax, but can be useful in generating needed money.
Commissioner Ethan Migliori said the stockshow event in Ferron went very well and grows each year and brings more people into our area. It is noted as one of the best in the state. The fair is beginning and the fair guide is out that lists activities and events at the fair.
Commissioner Migliori recently returned from Washington DC where they met on the land bill and also discussed the Goblin Valley Expansion with the Dept. of the Interior. He felt it was a very productive trip.
Commission approved in the consent agenda: Approval of out of state travel for Dennis Worwood to attend Professional Improvement Conference for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in Mobile, Ala. Approval of out of state travel for Kyle Ekker, Jerod Curtis, John Barnett, and Garrett Conover to attend CNOA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. Approval of out of state travel for Garrett Conover, John Barnett, Jerod Curtis, and Jeff Thomas to attend UNOA Annual Conference in Mesquite, Nev.
Approval of a 3 percent wage increase for Levi Jensen, Kelvin Childs, Krista Wright, and Scottee Bower after successful completion of their 6 month orientation period. Effective 8-4-14 Approval of a 3 percent wage increase for Abby Jensen after successful completion of her 6 month orientation period.
Approval of 3 percent wage increase for Sterling Miller for successful completion of his 6 month orientation period and promote him to an Equipment Operator/Driver II Grade 17 for two plus years of experience as an operator.
Approval of the following volunteers for the Desertview Pro Rodeo 2014:
Klayton Laws, Derri Jewkes, James Huggard, Bret Jeffs, Gail LaFrentz, Lindsey Oman, Heather Atwood, Jackie Arrington, Shelbie Laws, Gary Arrington, Julie Jones, Will Payne, Mistie Christiansen, and Kirk Christiansen.
Approval of the following volunteers for the Emery County Fair 2014:
Julie Jones, Patsy Stoddard, Cassie Thatcher, Heather Atwood, Jackie Arrington, Gary Arrington, Devin LeRoy, Andrea LeRoy, Roxanne Jensen, Carole Larsen, and Sydni Ekker.
The next Emery County Commission meeting will be on Aug. 12.