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Show r Balanced budget approved Monday Winter beauty at the Jens Nielson home in Bluff. aim Alvin Reiner photo Jyaom HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR SAN Vol 67 No Public offers 25 44 last an ated county budget shortfall. Health care, roads, and the proposed new county jail generated the most exchange between the 50 plus persons attending and the county com Blanding City JUAN COUNTY, UTAH cents few remedies to correct Few suggestions were offered Thursat a public hearing anticipday evening to satisfy Record budget deficiencies missioners. Department heads were called upon to defend expenditures and the commissioners were called down for failing to reduce their budget by they had requested of county department the 15 percent heads. The only concrete proposal to Council meets goals by Marsha Keele A bid for a new police car was awarded to Mike Young Chevrolet in Monticello in the amount of $12,238.41. Blanding City Council considered four separate bids and chose to award the bid to the second lowest bidder as the amount was close and the dealership much closer to Blanding (for service on the vehicle). The Blanding Police Department was commended for excellent law enforcement by the council. The November report showed 23 arrests made, five major crimes reported, and twenty minor crimes reported. The five major crimes included sale of a controlled substance by a student at San Juan High, theft of a vehicle, theft of a V CR and tapes, vandalism Spa America in the amount of $350 damage, and custodial interference by a male juvenile in the case of a missing girl. One case was solved and the others are still under investigation. at In the traffic division, four accidents were investigated and three arrests made for driving under the influence of alcohol in November. Mayor Cleal Bradford requested that a decision made ealier to move the old power building west of its present location be implemented before the end of the year. This will provide more parking and ease traffic movement in that area. The mayor said this would complete all of the goals set by the Council for 1985. The new mayor and city councilmen will be sworn in on January 8. The council authorized sign- interlocal recreation agreement and payment of ing of the Blanding Citys $3,000 share. Mayor Bradford reported he would be meeting with Orrin Hatch and Howard Nielson in the next few weeks to facilitate the designation of the Trail of the Ancients as a National Trail. December 18, 1985 come forth was a suggestion that half the $1 million ear marked for the county trust fund be used to offset the anticipated $443,080 shortfall. Commission Chairman Calvin Black said the trust fund might become the countys major source of revenue if evaluation continues to fall. He said the trust fund should be built up to the point where it yields enough interest to ensure the county a sound financial future. Black reminded that the county currently taxes at the legal limit for the general fund, stating the only way left to levy for additional income is to create separate taxing districts for public health, mental health, and tort to pay off debt. Rayburn Jack, Health Care Services administrator, said We are still projecting that the nursing home will be a self sustaining operation. Present occupancy falls 20 beds short of capacity. He said Health Care expenses in 1985 were high because of completion work on health care facilities. Black said the commissioners feel health care is the single most important service offered by the county. Sheriff Rigby Wright stated local and outside pressures were forcing the construction of a new jail and to delay con- ( Please turn to page 3 ) Plagued by complications, the county commissioners Monday approved a balanced budget. To overcome the problems of a reduced revenue as a result of reassessment, local economic depression, the effects of inflation on county programs, and increased needs in specific departments the commissioners used two basic strategies. They limited capital expenditures and released $250,000 in a dedicated trust fund earmarked for B roads. This money makes funds otherwise allocated to the roads department available for use in other departments. Because of the tight money situation, Commissioner Black stipulated that all capital expenditures in the county, even budgeted expenditures, must be individually approved before funds can be released. High budget departments may be reviewed monthly to assure that they are keeping within their budgets. County health Care Services were budgeted in the event no buyer is found. The commissioners considered and rejected a suggestion to increase the transient room tax to supplement county revenues. County commissioners continue to seek a purchaser for the health facilities. At this weeks meeting representatives of two bidding companies presented proposals John Fellmeth and Ray bum Jack, representing the Employees Group and John Brown from Bonneville Health Systems. The employees group is interested in the entire package, whereas Bonneville proposes to buy only the nursing home and the Home Health Agency. Ted Stagg, who is consulting with the county on the sale, said the nursing home is the more marketable entity and selling it seperately would interest more buyers. Stagg was instructed to contact potential buyers. Commissioner Black clarified requirements that must govern any sale: 1) Current level of health services must be maintained or exceeded, 2) Failure to provide health services will result in the facilities reverting back to the county, 3) Moneys received through sale of facilities will be held in a dedicated trust fund in the event the county has to pick up the services again, 4) The county will assume responsibility for accrued employee benefits. Public hearings will be held before a decision is made. In 1985, the Health Care Services exceeded the budget by more than $200,000. A public hearing must be held to amend the budget to provide for outlay of funds from the accumulated surplus to cover this expenditure. The hearing will be held January 30, at 10 a.m. Wilbur and Kelly Laws filed a formal complaint against the county for property damage caused by road crews during road repairs. The county will warn crews to keep equipment and not to on the enter private lands without permission from the owner. The right-of-wa- y county will compensate Laws for damages, finish repair of road, and post signs in accordance with federal stan- dards. Commissioner Bailey explained that current road repair is hampered by a recent court injunction against use of certain Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. The injunction is in connection with a lawsuit involving the National Wildlife Federation vs the BLM. Since 1981, 170,000 acres of land withdrawn from multiple use in past years has been re- evaluated and returned to multiple use. The temporary injunction prohibits use of some BLM land, including areas where the county has been getting gravel. The countys problem is just one of the consequences of this injunction. Users who have filed mining claims or leased land in these areas are also affected by the order. Commis sioner Black would like to work with other county residents who may have problems caused by this temporary injunction. In other business, John Fellmeth reviewed the findings on the audit of the Blanding airport and reported that the books were in order. The commissioners approved renewal of the bond for Marion Bayles, county treasurer, raising the amount of the bond to meet state guidelines; decided to use the second lowest bidder to furnish tires for the county if the approved bidder could not deliver tires on schedule; accepted a bid from Mike Young for vehicles for the Sheriffs Department; and, approved for dedication to the City of Monticello 1,320 feet of roadway north on Eleventh East. |