Commission to purchase cabin for airport

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The county commissioners met for their June 21 meeting. They approved the purchase of a cabin to be placed at the Huntington Airport to accommodate pilots that may have to layover for bad weather The purchase price is $9,530 which includes plumbing and electrical, but not a foundation. The pilots may be charged a small fee to stay in the cabin. There was a question of whether this would compete with private business, but the purchase of the cabin was approved.
The commissioners heard a report on the Miners Memorial celebration from LoriAnn Larsen. She said the dedication was a success and attended by a large crowd. “It’s a beautiful addition to the county and all of the cities in Emery County have been very supportive. I appreciate Jeff Guymon and the sound system he set up so everyone could hear.” A request was made for help with the lighting around the monument. The committee will pay for the lighting.
Emery County Event Coordinator Holly Jorgensen gave a report on recent events in the county. She has started an events page on Facebook and Instagram where she posts all activities going on in the county. A number of businesses donated prizes for an I-Spy game she did in conjunction with the fair and rodeo. People had fun with it and the businesses were very generous.
On the events page is a place to take surveys for the fair, rodeo and for the fair food. She encourages everyone to take the surveys for input on making these events bigger and better. Favorite activities at the fair included the animal exhibits, Hypno-Hick and the lip sync competition. Survey takers like the pro-rodeo. Jorgensen would like to see a two day rodeo to cut expenses and lower the ticket prices.
It was mentioned the purses of the rodeo were lowered which some cowboys protested by not attending the rodeo. The Wright brothers were in attendance at the rodeo and they are top contenders each year.
One audience member said she likes to watch locals at a rodeo and isn’t interested in the big names. Commissioner Keith Brady said there will be more discussion on the fair and rodeo as it moves forward.
Rob Murray with the Castle Country Robotics Club asked for use of the weed and mosquito building. The sheriff’s office will look the old building over to make sure there are no hazards there. Murray said the Robotics club has done well and placed second in two qualifiers and 10th in the state tournament. There are four levels to the program. This year grades were 8th-12th and next year the program will run K-12. The program will be receiving some STEM funding from the state. They are working with Emery High to get a robotics class in place there. Robotics club will take place after school a class would take place during school hours. The smaller children use legos to build their robots. Robotics programs are in place throughout the country and have given out $20 million in scholarships. Last year at the state competition there were 27 teams and this year there were 36 teams and it’s growing.
Jeff Kelsey addressed the commission concerning the Emery County Insurance Renewal for Plan for year July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. He said the county is at a 64 percent loss ration. The carrier anticipates a 75 percent loss ratio. So the county is under this, the county had an excess of high dollar claims, but in the day to day claims they did OK. Kelsey said they are keeping an eye on prescriptions as some of the new medications are very expensive. He has worked to get the best plan for the county and was able to negotiate a plan with only a 1 percent increase. Carriers at this time are pushing up fees because they are losing money, so he feels lucky the county will only see a 1 percent increase. He said projections are individuals will see 30-35 percent increases, small group insurances from 12-15 percent increases.
Commissioner Ethan Migliori was appointed as vice chair of the commission for times when Chairman Keith Brady is unavailable.
The county is filing cross appeals for a number of centrally assessed properties who have filed against the county. These appeals are against:
Level 3 Communications, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and Pacifi-Corp. Each year these entities file tax protests against the county.
The board approved the 2017 State Task Force Grant from the State of Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice for operation of the Emery County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force. Capt. Kyle Ekker said the sheriff’s office has been receiving this grant from 2000 and it is a joint grant with the Adult Probation and Parole for the drug task force.
Capt. Ekker also addressed the Cottonwood Restoration Project Funding. Some of the partners working with the county have placed funds in an account to get the work started. Cottonwood Creek Canal Company has put in $100,000 the EWCD $150,000 and the county $150,000, the CVSSD will help on the project. These are the matching funds for the NRCS. NRCS is the major contributor for this project. This fund will allow the bills to be paid as they come in.
County Attorney Mike Olsen said Johansen and Tuttle has been doing some engineering work for this project and the county needs to enter into a formal agreement with them for this project. An MOU needs to be drafted to define what all the entities involved are bringing to the project. Orangeville City hasn’t decided yet what it can contribute to the project.
The commission approved the sell of four excess Medicaid Bed Licenses located at Ferron Care and Rehabilitation Center.
The commission approved the 2016 Certified Tax Rates for Emery County as presented by Clerk/Auditor Brenda Tuttle.
The commission approved the 2016 Certified Tax Rates for the Castle Valley Special Service District as explained by director Jacob Sharp. Sharp said the revenue that will be collected is almost identical to what it was last year.
The board ratified a Library Grant that was submitted by Carole Larsen, Orangeville Library. She said the grant will be used to purchase Kindles for the libraries and for the purchase of books.
The commission will waive the fee for the use of Museum for a fund raiser for Avery Ward. Maegan Wilberg from the museum said they are helping with the fundraiser to help offset costs from medical bills for the family.
Commissioner Ethan Migliori said this is the first use for the museum for this purpose that he is aware. He suggested a policy for the museum regarding these uses. The fee waiver was approved. Someone from the museum staff must be in attendance for these types of events.
Two bids were received for crack filling and striping of the parking lot at the Green River Senior Center. From Nelco-$5,826 and from Superior-$4,410.91. The bid from Superior was approved.
The discussion of an Emery County Senior Citizen Director was tabled.
The board voted to approve Travel Bureau personnel to take county owned vehicles home overnight if they are leaving on a trip so they don’t have to leave their personal vehicle parked for days at the county building.
The travel bureau has narrowed the search for a Creative Firm for marketing tourism in Emery County down to two. They will hold a meeting next week where Hub and Hapi will present to the bureau afterwhich a decision will be made on which firm to contract with for tourism related marketing.
The Travel Bureau will offer four Scholarship $175 Value each to Emery County Lodging and Restaurant Owners/Managers so they can attend the Tourism Conference. There are speakers and industry related information sessions during this conference which could be beneficial to local merchants.
The board approved the Emery County Travel Bureau to apply for funding through the Utah Office of Tourism Co-op and Opt-in Programs using their budgeted Grant Support Funds as their match. Tina Carter from the travel bureau said they have budgeted money for this purpose.
The board approved a Co-op with Utah State Parks to produce and broadcast with Chadwick Booth & Co. a 3-4 minute Feature Promotion highlighting three trails in Emery County. Carter said the trails will be Devil’s Racetrack, Tusher and the Hole Trail. For $3,900 all three trails will be highlighted. This promotion is to draw attention to the lesser known trails in the area.
Jordan Leonard, economic development director said it’s a good idea to draw people down into our communities to spend money.
The board approved a letter sent by SITLA regarding land near Green River. The lease agreement said the land will go up $500 per acre every six months. SITLA is willing to discuss this agreement.
Commissioner Brady explained he needed full commission approve before SITLA would consider selling or moving SITLA parcels around municipalities. Commissioner Brady said this would give the cities more room for expansion and economic development. If the Public Lands Initiative goes through some of the SITLA lands within wilderness study areas could also be traded out.
Commissioner Migliori thanked all the volunteers who helped with the fair and rodeo, especially the rec. district and fair committee.
Commissioner Brady said a rocket competition was held in Green River with college teams from all around the world competing.
Commissioner Cowley presented the miners lamp to the commission. It was given to the county during the miners memorial dedication. They also received the book put together by LoriAnn Larsen on the miners killed in Emery County Mines.
Krista Wright was selected as a part time lifeguard working 19 3/4 hours per week.
Volunteers for Search and Rescue were approved: Brad Reed, Greg Jewkes, Wade Allinson, Jeff Tuttle, Howard Tuttle, Pete Alger, Rue Bell, Lowell Morris, Zach Crawford, Clay Oliverson, Leonard Norton, Jerry Price, Courtney Cox, Shaun Jeffs, Kirk McQuivey, Randy Lake, Chuck Ebeling, James Byars, Ben Orgill, Lee Magnuson, Jason Jensen, Tyler Tuttle, Brett Guymon, Layne Potter, Russ Archibald, Casey Toomer, Greg Oliver, Hal Johnson, Ross Christiansen, Troy Winters, Jeremy Draper, Michael Taylor, Rod Magnuson, Jim Jennings, Brawny Killpack. Larry Johansen, Chris Winn, and Jared Anderson.
Commissioner Migliori selected Maxine Fielder, who will be a temporary employee through Elwood Staffing, to be his Confidential Secretary. Working 19 3/4 hours per week.
Emily Huntington’s hours have increased from 18 to 19 3/4 per week as a clerk at the museum.
Egan Smith will move from Dispatch I to Correction Officer I. A business license was approved for Hair Envy.
Dennis Worwood will attend the National County Agents Annual Conference in Arkansas from July 23-29. Tina Carter will attend Go-West 2017. Mark H. Williams will be placed on the trails committee. Travel Bureau Board Members and Staff were approved to attend the annual Tourism Conference.