Commission hears from Western Counties Alliance

By PATSY STODDARD editor

The Emery County Commission heard from Ken Brown of the Western Counties Alliance. He gave updates on the issues his organization is working on including Payments in Lieu of Taxes. The PILT payments in 2014 were $437.3 million which was a good increase, of this more than $1 million came into Emery County. He said a movement to sequester 7.2 percent of those funds was rejected so a 9 percent increase in PILT funding was experienced. The secure rural schools program saw $334,122 coming into Emery County.
Commissioner James Nelson said the workforce in Emery County has gone from 5,500 to 4,500 so this has resulted in the per capita income going down in Emery County. Also the numbers are a bit skewed because of the workers that come into the county for overhauls and are only here for a short time and make good wages during their time here.
Brown mentioned the public land transfer, if the federal government doesn’t want to make PILT payments then they should return the federal land back to the states. There was a conference about land transfer and the congressman from South Carolina was there, he is quite interested in land transfer and is working on legislation from his state. “If land’s not in production, it’s not making money,” said Brown.
Brown said the sage grouse issue is supposed to reach resolution by Sept. 2015. Their organization is working to keep sage grouse off the endangered species list.
The wild horse and burro issue is still a problem and their organization requested meetings for the wild horse and burro board be held in the western states. He was able to give testimony at a meeting in Riverton, Wyo. The Western Counties Alliance is also encouraging all counties to get their RS-2477 road issues resolved. They held a workshop to help counties with this issue. The alliance has had five counties in Arizona recently join. Last year Emery County donated $500 for membership in the alliance and will do the same for 2015.
The commission approved a $250 donation to the Southeastern Utah Energy Producers Coal Rally to be held on Oct. 23 from 5-8 p.m. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said, “This is an important rally. Not only to coal miners, but to all. What happens to coal/gas/oil effects everyone.”
The discussion for advertising for public defender request for proposals was tabled. The contract starts in January. Commissioner Horrocks said he thinks before that is addressed all three commissioners need to be present. Commissioner Migliori is currently out of town. Attorneys Oliver and Sitterud have sent a letter expressing interest in the public defenders contract and would like to bid on it.
The commission will advertise for someone to service the fire extinguishers for the county.
Mary Huntington, personnel director, will be the representative to the Utah Counties indemnity pool annual membership meeting. Leslie Bolinder will be the alternate. Nov. 13 is their annual meeting in St. George.
Commissioner Jeff Horrocks will remain on the seven county coalition for the remainder of 2014 and then Commissioner Ethan Migliori will sit on that board. Commissioner Horrocks said Grand County isn’t on board yet so for now it’s six counties. “I have been involved since it started. We have two state senators involved and Washington is involved. There are several states that are watching us. I am really impressed with the organization,” said Commissioner Horrocks. He encouraged all future commissioners to make sure they attend those meetings because this organization will have a big impact on the county.
An additional $200,000 has been received from NRCS for work on the debris basins in Huntington Canyon.
A change order was approved for the north debris basin project. Engineer Jonathan Johansen explained this is for mitigation. After a yearlong process with the Army Corp. of Engineers to mitigate any impacts to wetlands and the stream, a project on Huntington Creek, south of Lawrence will have six crossings; low flows will flow across, but in higher flood events an interior oxbow will allow the water to flow out and increase the wetlands. They will also repair a berm at Desert Lake and increase wetlands there and upstream.
The commission approved the agreement between the county and state parks for the purchase of equipment to construct and maintain trails.
The commissioners denied a request from a New Mexico resident for an ambulance fee waiver because the paperwork is inadequate. A letter will be sent to request more information.
The beer tax funds annual report for Emery County was ratified. Sheriff Greg Funk said these funds are used to generate DUI watch shifts, education and pays for the annual graduation party for the high schools. These funds contribute approximately $8,000 annually to the budget.
Travis Bacon was appointed to the Emery County Travel Bureau to fill a seat vacated by a resignation from the board. He is the new manager of the River Terrace motel in Green River. This seat expires the end of January 2015 and will need to be advertised at that time.
The recertification of the Emery County Historical Preservation Commission was approved.
A special commission meeting was set for Oct. 20 where bids will be opened and any other commission business.
Commissioner James Nelson reported the public lands information meeting and field trip to Goblin Valley went very well. There were several issues and concerns raised. Rich Walje from Rocky Mountain Power visited the area and gave an update on their company. The permittees are involved with the Forest Master Plan and they are giving input and a committee has been formed. In 2006, the forest service tried to amend the forest plan, but it didn’t work, they are trying again now. Everyone needs to be involved with this. Gov. Gary Herbert visited the high school and talked with students.
Commissioner Horrocks reminded everyone to attend the coal rally on Oct. 23 at the Carbon County events center.
Michelle Christensen was approved as a driver for the senior citizen program. Kacie Healy, Rikko Bolotas and Les Anderson have been hired as seasonal Russian Olive technicians. Pam Howard was selected to be a part-time employee within the library system to work on Bisac, she will work 10 hours per week at $8 per hour until the grant money is exhausted. Hugh Grange will receive a 3 percent wage increase for successful completion of his six month orientation period.
The local building authority meeting followed commission meeting. The county will be adding bathroom stalls and window blinds at the weed and mosquito building. They are also adding a free standing vehicle hoist. Dean Allen will do the wiring for this.
Jonathan Johansen reported on the ball complex in Huntington. The building renovation will be complete this year. The pump has been installed, but will not be checked until spring. In order for it to stay under warranty, Rain Bird has to come and turn it on and inspect it. The irrigation system has been installed. The sod won’t be laid until next spring when the water is turned on and then it’s eight weeks before you can use the fields. Johansen said this is good because some final settling of the dirt will occur over the winter and then a final grade can be made on the field before the sod is put down.