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Show Iron County: a look ahead It is pretty much an undisputed fact that Iron County will be experiencing ex-periencing rapid growth during the next few years. MX, IPP, mining or other energy or military booms sill surely effect the area to some extent. ex-tent. The unsolved problem at this point seems to be how to plan for and manage this expected growth. The Iron County Commission is currently looking very seriously at the possibility of hiring a full-time professinal manage and -or planner. Perhaps this is the solution to imminent problems; perhaps not. But certainly we, as citizens of the county, need to begin taking a serious look and asking serious questions about the future. Information from counties in the area which have faced the same growth problems may help to shed some light on the issue; and, if not answer the questions, at least provide substance and knowledge to them. We have been in contact with county clerks or deputy clerks in Carbon, Sanpete, San Juan, Washington, Sevier and Uintah counties. The information in-formation gathered is interesting. For example, of the six counties surveyed, only two of them currently employ a professional manage or planner. Washington County has had a planner for 12 to 15 years; and Uintah County has what the county clerk called too many planners. There are 16 employees in the area of planning plan-ning in Uintah and two neighboring counties. All others hire no professionals. Also, Iron County Commissioners are paid $5,000. per year, lower than any of the six counties we surveyed. Sanpete County was the lowest of the six counties, with a yearly salary of $5400. Uinta County was the highest at $15,000. As far as time spent on the job, Iron County Commissioners fall in about the middle of the spectrum. Commissioners in San Juan County spend one full day each week in commission meeting. Those in Uintah spend about the same, and are full-time commissioners, devoting approximately ap-proximately 40 hours per week in service to the county. Iron County Commisssioners have been spending about 10 to 12 hours per month in commission meetings, while those in Sevier County spend about 2 hours and those in Carbon County spend from 4 to 8 hours. These facts don't provide easy answers. In fact, they raise questions. Is a professional manager the best method of handling the future? Come counties say yes; others, no. Should the Iron County Commissioners be full-time Dublic servants? Or would that eliminate many good men and Again, the questions must be asked. They must be asked by every concerned citizen and publicofficial of the area. The future of Iron County depends on it. |