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Show P.O. Box 224 Bulk Rate Milford, UT 84751 U.S. Postage » . Paid Milford, UT 84751 Permit No. 15 Formerly Dodge City News Serving Beaver County Since 1991 JANUARY 90 Cents 12, 1996 VOL. VI NO. 2 Jail Decision Rescheduled “Tf it comes to a yote in the County, we'll have it,” Gary Sullivan, Beaver County Commission Chairman, promised those in attendance at the January8 public hearing. It will have tobe a quick vote, however, because Commissioners have called a special meeting for Wednesday, January 17, at 1:00 P.M. for a final review and decision. ; Kenny (KP) Thompson engineered the Centennial Train from Cedar City to Milford, and Wayne Roberts was conductor. Engineer Robert Smith, Bountiful, and Conductor Dave Chile, Roy, took over from Milford to Salt Lake City. Union Pacific and Southern Pacific donated the - use of the three traims used in the Centennial event. Comments presented in the hearing by Roy Yardley, Alice Smith (see statement on page 6), Gilbert Yardley and Jerry Mayer requested commissioners consider additional options and provide accurate information before making adecision. Penny Jessee, Craig Davidson. and Neal Nelson expressed support for the 152 bed option to house state prisoners, The remainder of the speakers, Ken Shulsen and Abe Gillies (consultants paid by the county), Sheriff Ken Yardley. Deputies John Chambers and Raymond Goodwin, are directly involved with the project through their work. ‘Commissioners also reviewed results of a public opinion poll distributed to box holders throughout the county. Of Beaver County’s approximate 2.600 registered voters, only 196, or roughly 7%, returned the questionnaires. Respoiise was: Option #1 (80 bed jail without state prisoners) 26; Option #2 (80 bed jail with state prisoners) 5; Option #3 (152 bed jail with state prisoners) 139; No option (protest votes) 26. Success of the 152 bed option depends on availability of state prisoners. Prison beds are currently under construction throughout the state and more are planned for the near future. Contracts for county bed space are made on a yearly basis with no guarantees. In locations where the state has been in dire need of inmate housing, they have entered into an Inter-Local Agreement or endorsed a Legislative Initive to strengthen an effected county’s position if they will build the needed beds. As of January 9, Commissioner Chad Johnson said he was not aware that any such protective status had been considered, or even investigated, for Beaver County. ’ Jon Bronson, financial consultant on the project. presented estimates for an additional option: a 50 bed facility to house 25 state and 25 county prisoners. There will be yet another set of figures before next Wednesday’s meeting. Commissioner Chad Johnson, Sheriff Yardley, and Paul Barton, County Clerk, will meet with consultants again Friday, January 12, to review the possibilities of a 90 bed facility. Projected cost to individual taxpayer for each option is an estimate. It is subject to change in relation to interest rate, actual construction bid for the facility, actual site preparation cost (including environmental study and adjustments at the old Beaver landfill, if needed), and any remaining unknown contingencies. Cost increase to individual taxpayer, presented in the public information meetings, appears to have been calculated on the premise that county evaluation is $319,798,397. In actuality, the total evaluation for 1995 was $302.000,000. 1996 Evaluation, which will not be ijavailable until May, is expected to increase, but not to that amount. Obviously, if the actual county evaluation is less than the figure used to calculate the estimates, the tax rate will have to increase to generate the revenue to service the debt and operate the facility. When Commissioner Sullivan asked Bronson about the previously reported equation which could create a tax increase of $289.96 for a $100.000. home, the question was followed by a paper shuffle and no answer. (continued on page 6) : 3 Student Reporter, Steven Erickson, Avoid Las Vegas, | _ Represents Milford Monitor ‘Mayor Robinson — On Centennial Train Ride By Alice Smith: | The mayor may have lost the toss, but saving time Mas a sure bet. He suggested positions of Beaver County SSD #3 (Milford Governor Leavitt, Senator Bennett, and ee s own Mayor Wiseman. Circle Four Byes Contract Labor Program In a news statement released this week, Circle Four . Farms general manager Rob Adams outlined company goals for the coming year. Of note im the agenda is the possibility that Circle Four will establish a contract hog production program for local farmers. "Unlike the Eastern model of contract hog farms, where the farmer pays for and builds the facility, here in Milford, Circle Four is studying the idea where we provide the support and the units, and interested local residents provide the labor."said Adams, He added that the program will iitially involve finishing units. and possibly : In addition to the key to Milford City. Mayor Wiseman presented ~ yurseries. Governor Leavitt with a sample of local marble. Decorative landsvape rock is The coming _year’s compatible with water conservation measures the Governor has suggested for construction plans for Circle Four future growth and development. include the final finisher barns and nurseries to complete its current three 4800-sow operations. DEF will also construct boar stud and daughter nucleus facilities for the company's exclusive line of breeding stock. Also due for completion are the feedmill and the downtown office facility Which involves a complete renovation of the old Jefferson Mercantile building. Adams The Governor was ae a hit with Milford youngsters as he turned their enthusiastic greeting. 4-Year-old Rhett Carter and his other, Jennifer. were among those enjoying the experience also announced Circle Four's participation in the Milford area United Way campaign. The company itself will make a contribution and has already issued an appeal to employees asking for volunteer contributions via-a payroll deduction program. Cite the United Way's emphasis on using a large percentage of donated monies for local programs. Adams told Circle Four associated that United Way donations would be an effective way to “give back to the communities in which we live and work." Hospital) and Beaver Valley Hospital on the PCIB prioritization list be determined by ‘the |flip of a com. They were consequently listed #7 Milford and #8 Beaver in the top ten Beaver v ounty projects requesting funds. The jail garnered the #1 spot. followed by a Milford storm drainage study, Beaver City water: system well, tank and distribution system. new office building for Milford; Beaver Valley Hospital design study: SSD #2 Fire House addition. $500,000. for Beaver — County School District was listed as #9. trailed by Beaver City sewer lagoons. “Pryor Planning Prevents Perturbed People” Joe Jenkins, Executive Director of Utah State Department of Community and Economic Development, met with the County Council of Governments during the January 8 comunission meeting to teview their prioritization list, He also advised taking aother look at the list.. Recognition of the tremendous impact of the hog farm. has directed support toward Beaver County — even though the County contributes only a small percentage of the mineral lease revenues. Re-prioritization channeled toward direct impacts such as roads. housing, and health care may be viewed more favorably by the fnnding board. ~The west side of the county may be more impacted. causing us to take a closer look at Milford and Mimersville.” he said. Concernme the #1 requestthe jail - Jenkins said. “If we fund sour jail you will be all through for a long time.” With current federal budget tegotiauons. the mineral lease payments winch fund CIB could be discontinued at anv me. The Board, therefore, prefers funding by low intrest loans iustead of grants in hopes of creating a perpetual money By Steven Erickson: With my official press pass properly displayed, I boarded the Centennial Train when passed through Milford on January 3,.1996. Although I only rode the train from Milford to Delta, it was an — amazing experience. I met former Utah Governor Norm Bangeter, Utah State Representative Bud Bowman, U. S. Senator Bob Bennett, Dixie Leavitt and our own Governor Mike Leavitt. I had the opportunity of interviewing Beaver City Councilman Paul Anderson. He discussed Beaver's plans for the Centennial ‘ year. “We are going to have three different celebrations throughout the year, ihe biggest one coming during the annual July 24th celebration. We are very excited about representing Beaver and hope to somehow involve the. entire county in our celebration." ‘ a Carl and Phyllis Truman also granted an interview. Mr. Truman’. is a former school board member. "There have been many changes. within the district. Superintendents have different ideas and at times have. too much influence on what happens. When I first became a member off the school board, the state rated the school buildings and you don't see| that anymore. New buildings are going up, we have a new elementary | school. new vocational buildings, and two new high schools that have’ changed the district dramatically". Mrs. Truman served mayor of. Minersville before Howard Pryor. This experience is something I'm grateful for. I would especially like to thank Milford City Councilman Larry Sower and his wife, Mary, and Beaver County Commissioner Gary Sullivan for taking the time to introduce me to the dignitaries on the train. Commissioner Sullivan took the photo above. SOUFCE “Bonding above the value of the county for the Jail raises a question as to the viability of the project.” Joe Jenkins Dance to Barn Burners Friday - January 12 Pho Pih is a orate clph for members only ; |