Commissioners prepare for post fire flooding

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

The Emery County Commissioners met on July 3 to conduct county business. The fire rehabilitation is foremost in their minds as they approved a letter requesting federal assistance for flood control due to Trail Mountain Fire impact on the watershed.
They approved a letter regarding flood control funds under PL566. These are federal funds to help begin restoration projects to mitigate damages that will occur from flooding off the burn areas.
The commission opened a Public Hearing for the purpose of receiving public comment on a draft of the Emery County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. There were no public comments. Capt. Kyle Ekker explained this is a renewal of a plan from five years ago. With a disaster plan in place, the county becomes eligible for funds. Two grants were received by the county for flooding in Green River. Funds were used to install the culverts on Long Street. Without the plan, the county can’t qualify for these funds. The commissioners approved the Emery County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. Each state is allotted so much federal money for disasters. The county can apply for those funds allotted to Utah.
The memorandum of understanding between Emery County and the BLM for Noxious Weed Control was approved. The BLM contributes $13,000 to the county for help with weeds on BLM land.
The contract with Ultimate Inflatables for the 2018 Emery County Fair was approved.
A contract with Brett White, Castle Valley Small Engine Repair for the 2018 Emery County Fair was approved. He will put on the ATV rodeo at the fair.
The commission approved paying $1,000 for trout for the 2018 Emery County Fair. The live fishing pond will be part of the fair. Commissioner Kent Wilson said they hope to have a grill set-up so the fish can be grilled and eaten and not wasted. Commissioner Wilson said he has been working with local businesses on fair sponsorships. “We have had good participation with local businesses,” said Commissioner Wilson.
The commission signed a Confidentiality Agreement with Community Solar. This agreement needs to be in place should the company decide to come into Emery County. If negotiations get to that point, Commissioner Wilson said, companies come in and they are seeking tax incentives from Emery County. This agreement allows the company to share information from their company as to why the company thinks incentives are needed.
Buy One Get One free Swim Day on Aug. 2, was approved for the 2018 Emery County Fair.
The commissioners talked over requests to write-off unpaid ambulance bills. There are four parties asking for discounts. Two of the parties are from Emery County and two from outside the area. One party from Emery County had $161 left after the insurance covered the rest. The other three are at collections.
Brenda Tuttle, clerk/auditor said in the past they have handled requests for discounts on a case by case basis. Commissioner Wilson wondered if there could be a discount for county residents and another discount for out of the area ambulance users.
County Attorney Mike Olsen said he didn’t think anyone would make a big deal out of it. In the past someone requesting a discount has submitted documentation and proof of why they needed a discount. As long as the commissioners are consistent he doesn’t see a problem handling the requests on a case by case basis.
Tuttle said previous commissioners offered a 25 percent discount for hardship cases. “Some people don’t respond to the bills until it goes to collections,” said Tuttle. Commissioner Wilson suggested a discount of 8 percent off the total billed amount. The commission will analyze discounts for locals and the matter will be addressed again.
The commission approved a letter to Kathleen Clark of the State of Utah Public Land Policy and Coordinating Office.
County Attorney Olsen presented the revised Emery County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Melany Weaver, his assistant put together a slide show with the new changes to the manual. Olsen explained over time people have questions about various aspects of the policy manual. Personnel director Mary Huntington makes note of these items and when it’s time to revise the manual these questions are addressed.
The main aspects of change in the manual include distinguishing language changes which clarify policy or bring county policy into accordance with state statute. Olsen said the state statutes are always changing and revisions are needed to clarify and remain current with Utah law.
One clarification was in the confidential secretaries. You don’t have to have a confidential secretary. Any elected official can have a confidential secretary.
Language was clarified outlining what constitutes part-time employees. There is a chart of classifications, pay grades, etc. The Aging Director was eliminated in the wording because the county no longer has this position.
Olsen said these language changes make a more clear picture of employee classifications. All changes are made with input from the personnel director and commission approval. Language defining 3/4 time positions with clarifications was addressed in the manual changes.
Olsen said policy was added to address how a reduction in force should be handled. There are no plans for reduction in force in the county, but Attorney Olsen said this is a good policy to have in place should the need ever arise. The commission would decide if a reduction in force was necessary and a uniform standard would be utilized.
Commissioner Wilson said when Carbon County had their reduction in force, last year, they had to create a policy to do this because there was not an existing policy in their personnel manual.
Attorney Olsen said the policy dealing with political campaigns which said a candidate might be transferred to another department during a campaign was deleted. An employee cannot be forced to be transferred-demoted or moved during an election. An employee may not campaign on company time and would be subject to discipline.
A full time employee after completing their orientation period can be an occupational employee.
Language for the employee pay progression was made more clear.
Olsen said if anyone has questions about benefits to go and talk to the personnel director. Language concerning insurance benefits has been clarified.
The drug testing policy for pre-employment does not include alcohol. Testing following an accident is done according to OSHA set standards.
The good faith reporting policy is in accordance with Utah code 67-21-9.
Reporting of grievances and the rights of someone with a grievance or someone with a grievance filed against them was made more clear.
Department heads are responsible for logging activity for volunteer hours in their department.
The policy concerning gifts and awards for employees for 10 and 20 years of service was revised. This also includes life-altering events.
The policy concerning compensation for department heads who are heading up more than one department was revised so there is a policy in place so that department head can be compensated for the additional workload.
Commissioner Wilson said with all the changes to the personnel policy manual he would like to pass it along to all department heads to read through. Sheriff Greg Funk said yes he would like to look through the changes. The policy manual will be sent out and department heads are to send any concerns to the commissioners by July 13. Then any concerns can be addressed before the next commission meeting so it can be approved.
Commissioner Wilson reported the Emery County Public Lands Bill was introduced in a committee meeting in the House of Representatives. The next step will be its introduction on the floor to the full house.
The commissioners set Aug. 21 to have a commission meeting in Green River at 3 p.m.
Commissioner Lynn Sitterud said the Trail Mountain Fire is close to being out. Right now the county is in the process of trying to get federal funds for fire repair.
The commission approved the full time Equipment Operator/Driver I position for David Luke. Betty Moore was approved to volunteer in the Archives department.