Rec. district continues to have financial trouble

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Emery County Commissioners opened the new year with discussion of the recreation district’s money woes. Recreation board officers Troy Winter and Julie Jones asked the commission for help in getting through the budget crisis. They said the district currently has no money coming in, expected mineral lease monies didn’t come during October and November. They asked for suggestions on what the rec. district should do and if the county commission could help out. They don’t have any funds to pay their December bills.
Commissioner Migliori said since the closing of Deer Creek and lower oil and gas development in the county, the mineral lease money has been down. The recreation district isn’t the only special service district that will be effected. The commission hasn’t heard from the other districts yet.
Winter said the rec. district has been using the money in the sports leagues to pay the bills. This amount is $20,000 which they will be short in those accounts to keep the rec. district functioning.
Commissioner Cowley wondered what the rec. district is going to do in the future as mineral lease revenues are down.
Jones said the district is looking at the procedures to become a taxing entity and what they need to do to receive some tax money. They have been working on their budget since October and have cut everywhere they could. They are giving the Bear Creek Campground back to the county so they can maintain it. They also don’t have the funds for temporary help this year and those workers helped take care of the Huntington ball complex to get it ready for games. All coaches for teams are volunteers only the umpires get paid.
Winter said, “We need some help from the commission.”
Jones said, “We are here to ask that the expenses for December be paid.”
Commissioner Cowley said, “I had Brenda (Tuttle-clerk/auditor) run the figures (for the rec. district), I don’t know the answer, but I’m not in favor of bailing out the rec. district.”
Winter said they are only asking for operational costs, wages, bills, etc. Treasurer Steve Barton wondered if raising fees would help.
Fees for the sports registrations have been raised by $5 per player.
Tuttle said the sports are self-sufficient and that isn’t the problem.
Commissioner Migliori said they do need to look at long term solutions, but none of that solves the problem at hand today. Maybe in the future the rec. district should be absorbed into the county, that would save them on insurance.
The rec. district has had no money coming in for two months, they are behind on their bills.
Commissioner Migliori said this is a one time event not a pattern, “We need to look at the situation and deal with it,” said Commissioner Migliori.
Tuttle said there needs to be a clear amount that the county will loan the rec. district, which they must pay back.
Commissioner Migliori said the wages of the manager has been consistent through the years, they have saved money however in lowering the secretary’s wage. However, benefits have increased because of Obamacare and other increases.
Commissioner Migliori said the county is looking for solutions for Bear Creek Campground and for the ball complex.
“The rec. district is a huge asset for the county,” said Jones.
Economic development director Jordan Leonard said they should also think about ways to make money, with maybe softball tournaments at the complex and golf tournaments.
Joel Dorsch, former rec. board member and Castle Dale city council member said he agrees with the importance of the rec. district. When it first started 25 years ago, each community had its own sports programs. Combining all these teams countywide has been very beneficial with the accounting and it solved a lot of financial questions. “The rec. district helps keep it running smoothly. Cheddar field in Castle Dale was built with a grant from the rec. district,” said Dorsch.
Dorsch said he takes care of the baseball fields for Castle Dale City. There is no way, Jake Atwood, the rec. district director can take care of the complex and do his job as rec. director. “The youth sports, the kids rodeo, all those events are what make a community. When it comes to sports there is a connection between Emery County and the rec. district,” said Dorsch.
Commissioner Migliori said he recognizes that and the county appreciates what the rec. district has done over the years.
Commissioner Migliori said the commission authorizes Brenda (Tuttle) to work with the rec. district to get the rec. district by. She will work with Mike Olsen county attorney on the legalities.
Commissioner Brady wondered if they could decrease the wages of the staff of the rec. district and float the bills.
Tuttle said that wouldn’t be good, if we owe people money then we need to get them paid.
The county had a negative amount of mineral lease money applied to them by the state for September and October. The mineral lease money for November was applied to that negative amount. There will most likely not be any mineral lease revenue for December as well.