The Emery County Commissioners met for their Oct. 18 meeting. They approved a tentative budget for 2017 which was presented by Clerk/Auditor Brenda Tuttle.
In the public comments section of the meeting, Danny Van Wagoner asked that when the commissioners arrive at item number 10 on the agenda, they explain it more fully. This item was for: Discussion and approval of consent and direction to transfer representation to Crook & Taylor Law, LLC.
County Attorney Mike Olsen said Crook had updated the county personnel policty for the county. He is an advisor on employment law and administrative law. It is the same agreement put into place previously, the addition is Taylor Law LLC. The commissioners approved this change to the agreement.
The commission went into a public hearing regarding the proposed Ordinance which amends Emery County Ordinance No. 8-7-85A regulating county road and right-of-way encroachments. Attorney Olsen explained the previous ordinance was out of date. The new ordinance will update and make the ordinance current. This will regulate county roads and encroachments. If construction is being done and a county road must be used, then the contractor must contact the roads supervisor. Commissioner Paul Cowley said this must be done to protect our county roads.
Attorney Olsen said there is a penalty involved and it makes it a criminal offense; misdeameanor for non-compliance.
The amended ordinance was approved.
The commission entered into another public hearing, this one regarding the proposed action of adding the Huntington Creek Watershed Coordinated Resource Management Plan to the Emery County General Plan.
Public Lands Administrator Ray Petersen explained the public lands council had reviewed the Huntington Creek Watershed Coordinated Resource Plan and recommended it be added to the Emery County General Plan. The Muddy and the San Rafael watershed plans were added at an earlier time and the council feels this one should also be included.
Planning and zoning administrator Jeff Guymon said the planning and zoning had reviewed it and Mack Huntington recommended it be added to the general plan. Guymon thanked Wayne Urie and Marc Stilson for their work on the watershed plan.
Commissioner Cowley said it’s a good plan.
The commission approved the addition of the Huntington Creek Watershed Coordinated Resource Plan to the Emery County General Plan.
Sheriff Greg Funk explained the 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program Articles of Agreement and Obligating Document for Award for the period of Sept. 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019. The amount is $225,494 which will be split between Carbon and Emery counties. Emery County’s portion is $109,184.50. There is also $13,000 for training which will be used for joint training with Carbon County.
The State of Utah Justice Assistance Grant issued by the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice will be awarded the county for $4,500. It will be used for printers for the patrol vehicles.
Connie Jensen explained the change the status of parcel #01-0168-0005 for Greg Shipp of Green River to active. This parcel was previously a HUD home and tax exempt. Now it has been purchased by Mr. Shipp, and is eligible for taxes. Jensen explained commission approval is needed to change the status from exempt to active. The commission approved this change.
Mary Huntington, personnel director explained to the commission the Wellness Clinic to be held Oct. 26-27 in Castle Dale and Oct. 28 in Green River. She said they have been hosting a wellness clinic for eight years and it has been very successful in early detection of health issues. This early detection helps keep insurance costs down when renewal time comes. They have contracted with the Emery Medical Center for this service. The negotiated price is $120. The flu shots and Adacel vaccines will be charged out separately if the employee wants them. There is also a PSA test that can be added for $37 charge.
The commission also approved a four hour vacation time incentive to employees participating in the clinic.
Huntington Library will apply for a KUED grant.
The commission approved a fee waiver for the Department of Workforce Services to host a training for University of Utah students on Dec. 5.
The commission approved the Emery County Sheriff’s Office to apply for a grant from Wal-Mart for the Shop with a Cop program. This was a ratification because the grant was due last week. Wal-Mart donates $1,000 for the Shop with a Cop each year. The Sheriff’s Office matches the grant. Sheriff Funk said the sheriff’s office held a fundraiser last year and each school selects a participant for the Shop with a Cop.
The commission discussed the reimbursement agreement for proposed solar projects by Onyx Renewables. The items was tabled.
Commissioner Ethan Migliori said a few companies have been interested in Emery County for solar projects. Onyx has been the most proactive. The question is if the county should incentivise such a project. Should the county create an agency which could offer incentives to companies; the agency could include the county, school district and would decide if an incentive should be given. These solar companies look for incentives and abatements. The agency would look at projects on an individual basis.
Craig Smith was present at the meeting, he is a lawyer who has helped numerous cities with projects. He said it’s one of the only ways to get these bigger projects put in which benefit communities. Taxes are deferred sometimes for a period of time for a project. After this time is over then the county will benefit from taxes from these projects. Smith said Green River City has started it’s own agency. “It’s an economic development tool for counties and cities to help with projects. It helps things to happen that might not happen otherwise. Idaho charges no taxes on solar. Solar projects require areas with a lot of sunlight; access to the power grid and land. Not farmland. A company needs an agreement with Rocky Mountain Power and a purchase agreement. Onyx has already applied to Rocky Mountain Power. You can’t get financial help without these agreements,” said Smith.
Smith said the solar farms don’t create a lot of jobs. He doesn’t think it competes with coal. It’s a small drain on resources and creates a tax base.
Jim Fauver from Castle Valley Ranch said they are looking at 3,000 acres on the ranch for a solar farm. This will create six jobs in Emery and tax dollars for the county.
Commissioner Migliori thinks solar is great and could be even better if the batteries to store the power were perfected.
Fauver said in California a law has been passed which requires 60 percent of their power source be renewable.
The county will examine creating an agency and the costs involved.
The Castle Dale dike project was put on hold to evaluate the wetlands. Merrial Johansen said a group had been down to review the wetlands and they found one area which may need to be mitigated.
The bid for this project was awarded to Perco Rock Company in the October meeting.
The Proposals for Event Coordinator were opened. Amanda Leonard and Bailey Thomas presented proposals. They will be passed along to the travel bureau for their review and for interviews.
Danny VanWagoner was appointed to the Travel Bureau Board of Directors for the Western side of Emery County.
The board will advertise for a Board of Director’s Seat for the Western side of Emery County which was recently vacated because of the sale of a business.
The funding has been received for the Des Bee Dove Motorized Trail from State Parks project. The project must be complete in two years.
The commission approved the agreement between Emery County and Natural Resources Conservation Services to increase technical assistance (TA) funds in the amount of $25,000. This money will be used on the wetlands issue.
The commission set the County Fair date for July 28-29. With a possible community day on July 27.
Malone Moss was selected as a part time lifeguard working 19 3/4 hours per week.
Danielle Farley will receive a 3% wage increase for successful completion of her 6 month orientation period.
Ariauna Downard was promoted to a Certified Lifeguard Instructor for successful completion of the Lifeguard Instructor Certification course.
Melany Weaver will receive a 3 percent wage increase for successful completion of her 6 month orientation period.
Maxine Fielder was hired as the full time, with benefits, Justice Court Clerk I.
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