OCR Text |
Show Volume 108 Numbers Manti, Utah 84642 Cjj Wednesday, Aprill 3, 1994 50c Sanpete County Commision Meeting Agenda Covers Water and Roads by Bruce Jennings The report on the meeting in Orem that had as its focus participation in CUP and in the Central Utah Water Conservancy District ended with this statement: The only conclusion was that there was no conclusion. However, there were some ideas kicked around. It seems evident that Millard and Sevier counties are well on the way to withdrawal from CUP. Theyll get kickbacks of around 75 of their investment in the giant project, which amounts to something like $600,000 each. The other 25 has already been spent on items like planning and other preliminary work. Their withdrawal means that three other Sevier River Basin counties; Sanpete, Garfield and Piute, may as well drop out, too, because they cant count on any benefits from CUP. One proposal now on the table would have Sevier and Millard, plus Sanpete, Piute, and Garfield, continue their membership in the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, which is the CUP sponsor. Sanpete Commission Chairman Boh Bew who attended the meeting, likes that because the proposal has a possible benefit for Sanpete County. The five Sevier River Basin counties would pool their kickbacks from the CUP withdrawal, place the money in trust, and use it in support of programs that would benefit the entire Sevier River Basin area. That proposal is now going to be the subject of some heavy thinking on the part of water people and County Commissioners. In the meantime, the Sanpete County Commission has some more immediate concerns. A 23 member delegation representing more than 200 property owners in three North Sanpete developments laid a heavy burden of complaints on the Commissioners shoulders regarding the 8 to 10 miles of road from the Whispering Pines, Pine Creek and Pine Mountain subdivisions to Mt. Pleasant. The road is not properly maintained, is a mud flat in times of bad weather, is narrow, sometimes unsafe and generally inadequate, delega tion members said. They explained that some residents live on their property year round, and some have children in the local schools. They added that on occasion the bus cant make it and parents have to transport the kids to school. They pointed out that they are property tax payers and entitled to better treatment. Their desire is for an oiled road over the distance. The Commissioners explained that they have a lot of miles to maintain with limited funds. They have to prioritize the roadwork, taking into account the needs of the entire county. They cant undertake rebuilding 8 to 10 miles of road in one big gulp. Sanpete will apparently have an extra allocation this summer, the Commissioners explained, and will do what they can for that particular county road. The meeting ended friendly wise, although some pretty harsh criticisms had been made T ' ;tin ilcati with some other m: tiers. Foi one thing, it passed a resolution designating Labor Day as "Try America Day." although no decision was made on how to celebrate Try America Day. It approved continued financial support of the University of Utahs School on Alcoholism and other drug dependencies by way of paying fees for attendance by several Sanpete residents. It also approved Tap Enterprises, Utah Team and Skyline Team penning privileges at the county fairgrounds, fire contracts covering protection services by several cities of unincorporated areas, and $400 to pay for an ad in the summer recreation guide. Finally, the Commission gave the Utah chapter of American Bikers permission to hold a gathering in The gathering will Spring City Canyon on July 29-3be attended by around 200 chapter members. Butch Bruce said, and funds raised will support educational 1. programs. I method of predator control was one of the items discussed at the Utal Department of Agriculture sponsored wildlife damage control meeting. For the complete story see page 4. The use of llamas as a non-leth- al Early April Storms Help Water Situation by Bruce Jennings April will have some catching up to do if Sanpete County is going to have a normal water year because March, that blustery month, didn't do its share. As a result, an SCS snow survey crew, on its last trip this spring on Manti Mountain to gather weather data, found the water content of the snow pack ranging from 34. to 71 of normal. The survey was completed before the early April stonn that may have delivered a few inches of snow at the higher elevations, but not enough to overcome the likely water shortfall. I lere's the data assembled by LaMar Jorgenson, an SCS technician who monitors the summer water outlook: Cn the last day of March, Thistle Flat in Manti Canyon had 38 inches of snow, containing 12.0 inches of water, which is 67. of normal. On the last day of March a year ago, there were 20.6 inches of water in the snow cover. Measurements were made at two Ephraim Canyon Courses. The snow was 36 inches deep and contained 13.2 inches of water, 72 of average, at the Headquarters. The Meadows, just under the summit, had 55 inches of snow, containing 17.7 inches of water, 71 of average. The Mammoth Ranger Station, east of Fairview, had inches of water in the snow. Thats 66 of average. Last ye;ir at this time, the Mammoth course was aver1 5 age. Data were gathered at a low and a high location in Twelve Mile Canyon. The Beaver Dam showed some effect of an early runoff: only 11 inches of snow, with 4.1 inches of water, 34 of normal. The Mt. Baldy Ranger Station course, by contrast, had 63 inches of snow, with 16.4 inches of water, 66 of average. The SCS crew also dropped down on watersheds that feed into several neighboring counties. That evidence indicates central Utah may be confronting another drought year. Data were gathered at three courses in Sevier Countys critical Salina Canyon watershed. Farnsworth Lake had 49 inches of snow, with 15 inches of water, 73 of normal; Gooseberry Ranger Station, 12 inches of snow, with 4.2 inches of water, and Pickle Keg Spring, 33 inches of snow, with 1 1.4 inches of water, 66 of normal. At the Huntington Horseshoe east of Fairview, on a watershed that drains into Scofield Reservoir which is Carbon Countys principal impoundment, there were 46 inches of snow, containing 15.4 inches of water, 59 of normal. Reeces Flat, east of Levan in Juab County, had 9.4 inches of water in 27 inches of snow, The helicopter borne team also descended on the Seeley Creek Ranger Station, midway between Manti and Ephraim along the Skyline Drive. Its on a watershed that drains into both Sanpete and Emery counties. The wind blown course had 37 inches of snow containing 11.2 inches of water, 68 of average. At Seeley Creek on this date last year, the snow was more than twice that deep, 22.8 inches, to be exact. 33, 68. Manti Council Looks at Development Utah Governor Mike Leavitt was in thp area last week for the Republican nominating convention and took time to address questions from area residents. He answered questions on items ranging from taxes to gun control. State Tax Filing Extensions are Not Extensions to Pay Running late on completing your tax returns? Need extra time to gather documents? The Utah State Tax Commission allows taxpayers an extension of up to six months to file their Utah state returns. However, an extension to file is NOT an extension to extension of time in pay. To qualify for the which to file your Utah return, you must pay your state tax due by the return filing deadline, April 15, 1994. g To avoid penalties, you must pay (either th late-filin- through withholding or other payments) an amount equal to 100 percent of your 1992 income tax liability or at least 90 percent of your calculated 1993 tax due. i The Tax Commission has provided form TC-54Voluntary Prepayment of Income or Fiduciary Tax, to 6, help you determine whether you need to make a prepayment to qualify for an extension. If your withheld or prepaid tax is less than the amount required, a penalty will be assessed for the underpayment. The extension prepayment is due by April 15, 1994. Interest will be due on any unpaid tax from the due date of the return until it is paid. If the tax is not paid when the return is filed, an additional penalty will be added. For more information on extension requirements, call within the 8 the State Tax Commission at (801) Salt Lake County area, or toll-fre- e Hearing-impaire- d callers may call the Tax Commissions Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at nt 530-484- 530-764- The Arena Committee approached the council with a request for continued support for the Ephraim Rodeo. The city agreed to increase the split of rodeo proceeds to 80 for the Arena Committee and 20 for city expenses. This increase is contingent upon the rodeo finishing in the black, without losing money. Coca Cola earned the right to exclusive beverage sales at the city park by agreeing to provide for new score boards for the ball fields. An appeal of a nuisance order for two older homes on the west side of town was presented to the council. The council voted to continue the order with the building inspector supervising the repair or demolition of the buildings. POOR COPY The council also: Decided to pass on to senior citizens the $125 a month rental fee that Cellur, Inc. is paying the city for renting space in the Center for its equipment. Decided to make a study of power lines and the rates charged their owners for electricity. Employed Archie Simonsen as an operator in the Power Department as the replacement for an employee who resigned. Had mixed feelings regarding a July 4 fireworks display because of budget stringency in a major construction year, but decided to look at the possibility of getting financial help by means of contributions. Decided to confront the financial issue of pay raises for employees, perhaps a 4 increase in the basic schedule, for example, with 1 to cover the increased costs of the insurance program and other fringe benefits, 1 2 to provide for several merit raises, and the rest a boost. out-of-ci- ty cost-of-livi- 0. Ephraim City to Help Replace Power Line to Environmental Center Snow College, Ephraim City, and the US Forest Service entered into an agreement to replace the power lines to the Great Basin Environmental Center. The Center, located several miles up Ephraim Canyon near the Lake Hill Campground, has an outdated power line. Some of the poles are rotting," said Mayor Gary Anderson. Weve got a lot of power loss and its a liability for Ephraim City and the Forest Service." The Forest Service is providing the right of way for the power line. Ephraim City will proved the labor to remove the old line and replace it with new poles and power lines. Involved parties will be seeking grants to pay for the materials. Snow College will pay a substantial one-tim- e hookup fee. by Bruce Jennings Will Smith and Williams proposed purchase and deschool blocks on Mantis velopment of he two southwest sector soon take place? A firm answer to that question is not yet available, but the City Council has indicated its support of the proposed development that would initially involve nine lots and eventually 23. The city has now informed Smith and Williams that upon payment of $2,100 each for the nine lots, it will install three blocks of six inch water from 200 West to 500 West, and will install two fire hydrants, one at 300 West and the second at 500 West and 400 South. It will also install sewer services, water services and electric services to the nine lots which will be initially developed. In other action, the city decided to proceed with improvements on 100 North Street to about 450 East on the basis of a 16 to 18 foot hard surface roadway. If all involved property owners agree to deed property to the city to facilitate an even wider road, this will be done while the current street project is underway. Two of the three property owners have agreed to this. Used Oil Collection Project Catching On Since starting the used oil collection publicity program in Juab, Millard, and Sanpete counties the week of March 28, the word seems to be getting to the people of these three rural counties, said Sandy B. Hunt, Utahs Used Oil Program Coordinator. We have had scores of calls on our 800 number from citizens of the area asking for the location of the collection center nearest them. A check of all 13 collection centers a week after the beginning of the program discovered that all either have had people bringing oil in or have been called about where to bring the oil. Neil Mecham of Walker Oil in the Centerfield Gunnison area reports his barrel is full and other people are waiting to bring him more. Sam Probert of Sams Diesel and Engine in Scipio reports a local farm operator has called indicating hetfa4vi barrels he has been saving justiran for 55 gallon This program is specifically designed to help individuals and small farm operators to have a place to deposit their oil. However, Baughs Auto Parts in Fillmore has had the U.S. Bureau of Land Management bring two barrels of oil to their store and Averetts John Deere Dealership has called saying they have a 500 gallon tank they need to have drained. Sandy Hunt says that she will help all of these people find an appropriate place for their oil. We need to get all used oil into our collection system," she says, then reiterates Governor Mike Leavitts appeal, If you change your own oil, please put your used oil into an oil collection system. State registered DIYer Used Oil Collection Centers are now in operation in Delta, Ephraim, Eureka, Fillmore, Fountain Green, GunnisonCenterfield, Holden, Manti, Mona, Moroni, Mount Pleasant, Nephi, and Scipio. For locations of the centers nearest you call 1 (800) 458-014- 5. |