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Show News County adopts 1998 budget-ai- l departments feeling crunch By Carol Sullivan Commissioner Crosby reviewed the budget with the other commissioners and updated them on budget cuts and revenue changes at the December 15 Kane County Commission Meeting. A total of $449,000 was trimmed over last years budget. A Public Hearing was held to adopt the 1993 budget. As mentioned above, the budget had been cut from $2.9 million to $2.5 million. All departments in the county felt budget cuts. Resolution 1997-- 4 to adopt the 1998 budget passed unanimously. Ordinance 1997-- 3 on the salary policy was passed unanimously. Commissioner Crosby stated, We have spent the last ' three years trying to get wages up because offour years with no increase. Now we have a new salary schedule. Everyone needs to help keep us on budget this year. Revenues are down." ' u . VerJean Caruso noted that all elected officials should have a public hearing for salary in- creases. . County Treasurer Marie Mousaw asked the commissioners about a micro film reader. Commissioner Crosby said the courts have a machine that the treasurers office needs. A five was approved for raise percent Pat Salter. Commissioners are now working on the new salary had evaluations for two employees. The commissioners approved a three percent increase for Bert Harris to 16d and a three per- cent increase for Deon Mecham to 15c. Pratt stated that there had been a request to close a public road going to Crocodile Lake. The commissioners said they do not want to close a public road and that this request must have a public hearing. The contractor for the Johnson Canyon road wants payment. The commission had withheld $28,000. A motion to approve the release of money upon a signature of guarantee for work to be done was approved. County Sheriff Lamont Smith had some questions regarding his budget, and the commission- ers referred him to County Clerk Karla Johnson. County Attorney Colin Winchester had a letter of request for two UHP (Utah Highway Patrol) radar guns. The estimated cost is $5600. The money came from the Monument funds. Jim Matson had results of the Monument study plans for the commission to review. Chairman Carroll stated that the Feds have an obligation to help with the infrastructure ofour county. This Monument has taken resources away from the county and it will cost the county. What are they going to do to help?" We need to find out what the countys role is in providing services and each community, "said Commissioner Judd. We need to help the cities in the county qualify for the 21 Century. A system which was presented by the Kane County Employees Association and approved by the commissioners last month. The Human Resource Director job duties and responsibilities were adopted by the com- community general plan is missioners. needed from each city in the At County Clerk Karla county. The county wants to Johnsons request, a job title draw attention to the cities in change was approved unani- the county and involve them in mously for Holly Ramsay. She the process and apply to the moved from court clerk to a lead county for grants. The intent is court clerk and the adjustment to help the cities with their genof salary to a 12f effective Janu- eral plan as it pertains to the ary 1. 1998.- Johnson asked to needs of the Monument." Judd close the county offices the day continued. The government is after Christmas. The motion to thrilled with the reports coming close the offices the day after out of Kane County." Matson presented a proposed Christmas, with the understanding that the employees will have budget for $250,000 from the to take a vacation day or they Department of Interior. So far, ' can elect to work with the office Kane County has received closed, carried unanimously. $550,000 from the Department Kane of Interior for planning. The Thayne Smith, County PlanningCommission Chairman, County has spent $75,000 on requested that the December 29 consultant fees to get that Smith money. A motion to adopt the hearing be postponed. said that the Planning Commis- tentative budget and program sion had not received the General passed unanimously. Plan to review and that the meetMike Robinson received a 5 advertized was not properly. increase, in accordance with the ing Because some documents are not new salary schedule. ready, the commissioners postAttorney Winchester reported poned the hearing until after the that the State Court is interfirst of the year. The exact date ested in purchasing the Court will be announced later. House and remodeling it, if the Roads Supervisor Lem Pratt price is right. They will have - SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24. 1997 3 representatives here for the December 29 meeting. Commissioner Crosby and Winchester will meet and review the costs. Verlin Smith, BLM, and Rob Quist, Sand Dunes, updated the commission on their efforts for a joint position between the BLM and the State Park on issues such as law enforcement, conservation, increased visitation, etc. Smith thanked the county for the road crew helping put up signs. He said it was a good cooperative effort. Mike Noel, Water Conservancy District, had the drafted resolution supporting Cove Reservoir. He said that contract bids will go out next summer. The Water Conservancy Board voted $10,000 to study and hire consultants on Wild and Scenic Rivers in Kane County. The Canyon Country Water Users Association has a $270,000 estimate from Alpha Engineering for a 225,000 gallon storage tank. It will provide for fire protection. A motion to move Lloyd and reHeybome to part-tim- e tain his title as Building Inspec- tor passed unanimously. Heybome will average 20 hours per week and his position will be in the fall. Boards, commissions, duties and the 1998 commission dates and commission assignments were approved. The commission approved the reappointment of Betty Olsen, Big Water, to the Council on Aging. Marvin Stevens, Council On Aging chairman, has resigned due to health issues. He said he appreciated the opportunity to serve. We have accomplished a lot. I enjoyed working with the commission." Harvey Zilm, Senior Citizen Center, requested a vehicle to replace the 76 Ford that has given them a lot of problems. A motion to transfer a vehicle to the Kane County Senior Citizens passed unanimously. Zilm also asked the commission to think about the possibility of moving the senior citizen center to the clinic when Dr. Roberts retires. Roger Holland clarified billing issues concerning his monument consulting work. He showed the commissioners how all existing roads in the county have been documented with aerial and ground photos. Regarding the Panina weep Wilderness, Holland said, The BLM wants to take the only area in the Monument that is a drawing card, to make a wilderness." The commission concluded with a motion that all department heads attend the training seminar for the new salary policies passing unanimously. . New KC police officer sworn in Kanab City Justice Court Judge pro-ter-n Gerry Hoyt swore m Wifliam (<ie) M. Crosby as the newsest Kanab City Police Officer. Alton native Crosby .; begin POST training in January and conclude in April. Utah gas prices dip a penny Holiday travelers in Utah may notice extra pennies to spend after gassing up as prices fell 1 cent in a month, a AAA survey reported this week. The drop from is due to stable crude oil prices and lower seasonal demand, said AAA spokesman Vernon C. Thompson. Retail gasoline averaged $1.29 a gallon e for regular unleaded in Utah. The national average is $1.22 which is down 2 cents." This is the third consecutive monthly drop, with prices expected to go lower in coming mid-Novemb- er self-serv- winter, according to Alan Kovski of The Oil Daily," an industry newsletter. Utah prices are down 4 cents from Crude oil prices have stabilized to just above $18 a barrel, due to reduced tensions in the Middle East and OPEC member countries agreeing to production increases, said Kovski. mid-Septemb- Since gas mid-Novemb- prices in northern California are down 4 cents to $ 1.39, according to AAAs monthly su rvey ofmore than 350 gasoline stations in Utah, northern California and Nevada. rf irMlHEllMOJft iPJwuyyvviiuw T4! 1 - Open Mcv T-B-ona I Year's bio -s- erving delicious R&syo, & Portcrhouso Steaks end succulent PHno Rib! Fernandas will be closed from Dec. 23-2- 9. |