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Show PAGE 4 an interview with the grand county commission On July 25, Jim Stiles Interviewed Commissioners Merv Lawton, David Knutson and Feme Mullen. The Interview has been edited tor clarity and length. IfieCountv lmaklnq plans to enlarge the Courthouse. Where Zephyr: will the addition be. what Is the cost and how will It be paid tor? Dave: The architects rendering Is down here, and everybody who wants to see It can take a look. Basically, Its going to flow with the same - design we have right here same facade, etc. The cost will probably be about 3.5 million dollars; thats with a new Jail, remodeling the courthouse, and new court facilities. Those are easy questions the hard one Is who's to for It? still We're to work one out I went up to that pay trying going visit an Investment company and told them to look Into some creative financing. I don't know, to tell you the honest truth how exactly we're going to do that, Just yet The plan Is to' see If we can get a loan from the Community Impact Board at a low Interest rate, and hopefully, then pay It back through a combination of revenues generated by the courthouse such as court rent We'd also look at other new revenues generated by the county. For example, the new Jail - hopefully we could get some of that state money But still there's going to be a big chunk of that for housing prisoners. to that we're have to come up with. money going Do you foresee a tax Increase? Zephyr: I think if It comes to No. Dave: that, Id back out of ft. I think there's other ways to do IL Feme: I think that as far as the courthouse Is concerned, we don't really have a choice. We have to do something. The way the Jail Is situated, theres no way we can meet the regulations. Zephyr: So were In violation of regulations right now? Feme: Yes. Dave: We have some problems with the courthouse building. The electrical code were not up to code. We have a letter from the Insurance company that If we don't do something with the wiring, we cant be Insured anymore. Merv: I think David has explained ft. Hes been doing a lot of legwork on IL Were not In compliance, the Jail's Inadequate, the wiring Is no good, the court facilities upstairs are not handicap accessible. Weve been told that we have to come up to standards. You can say If s partly the responBut sibility of the State, that theyve come up with these requirements. a certain How theres we're degree of responsibility on our behalf as welL we don't know, yet I agree with Dave that It going to raise the money would be nice not to do It with taxes, but we have to do something. ' GREAT PLACES! GREAT PRICES! 21- 1- Breathtaking View! 3 acres, build your dream home. Water available. $15,000. 35- 4- Great buy! 4 bd. lVi bath, large shop. $34,000. area. 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Feme: I think thafa the reason that I have been playing the wafting tt looks more and more Oke I made game, to put my approval on this road, and the right choice. Merv: I think Dave has hlt ths nail on the head, because there are certain things that have come up that werent evident a little while ago. The formula for the monies that were going to get and things that have come up were not going to get the recently that, shall I say, scare me, Indicate that amount of money we anticipated In the original thing. As such, I don't think we can afford ft. This county Is pretty low on the totem pole In the amount of money we're going to be getting from. the mineral lease.. To, be able to retire the loan, at even a very low rate, we don't have the money to do ft. I'm hesitant about the county going In to that kind of long term debL If s still needed and will still The road Is still .a good Idea. Dave: benefit the county. I think the Road Board still needs to press forward with But as for as I know, theres been no trying to work something out commitment made on anything yet But these things, you don't know until you press forward. You have to start going down the road, and taking the questions as they come. Ultimately, you get a clear picture I and you make a support them In decision, and I think thafa what the Road Board Is doing. If we cant a to shame be ft built fts like to see going that Id someday; afford If It we tt can't get done. But we cant afford It, Zephyr: In noht of that do vou think fts premature to ask for the loan right now? Dave: No, I think If s Just more groundwork. Merv: I haven't seen anything other than the news media report on this fve heard they haven't particular date, they're going to ask for the loan, to ask amount on decided of money they're going for, so how can they ask the for a loan when they don't know how much to ask for? There was still some doubt as to whether six million dollars would suffice, or whether It would be too much. The road Is a great project, but I dont think the county can .i The Proposed Courthouse Addition Wont last. 1 Quality Realty 59 S. Main Western Plaza H Moab, Ut 84532 ' t l))l II ' - afford IL Just one.' like you can't afford a Lamborghlnnl, as much as youd like Dave: I think we need to clarify that and say will the mineral lease fees ' going In be enough to cover th& loan? But If they apply for this loan, and they're not sure theV-C- n Zephyr: oav for It. theyre still going to tie up that money that would be coming In. Would ft be better to take this money coming Into the Special Service Dlstrictand use It for a variety of things, as has been suggested? Dave: I sincerely doubt that unless those questions can be answered, the . CIB will loan the money. I think they are pretty tough customers. You have to have your ducks all In a line. You have to have solid answers. I Just, dont see the CIB doling out six million dollars In case they get everything done. Theyre either going to have to have hard concrete answers for those people up there, or they won't get their money. Theres going to be a lot of questions answered at that board meeting. Zephyr: ifJhe loan does not oo through, what Is the best wav to use that mineral lease money coming In? Dave: tt should be used to Improve the roads out In the county. Weve already given some of that money to the school cBstricL They could split tt up a million different ways, but our roads need some work. Weve got plenty of roads. Right off the top of my head, thafa what I'd say. Feme: I have some Ideas, but they're premature, and I'd rather watt. Merv: As Ive said, due to the new things that have come about, I'm not supporting the project at the moment because of that financial concern. County Attorney Conflict With Road Board 199 Of you have expressed concern about this road orolecL to be the Road Boards attorney, functioning continues 3neCountyAttomey wu find a conflict there, with vour expressed concerns and her dual rasoonsIbllltlM? Dave: I don't see any problem right now. I dont foresee one happening In the future. If you look hard In almost this enough county has a everyone conflict of Interest somewhere or other. That was looked Into In the very beginning and I don't see the county taking an opposite stand from the Road Board on this. We re trying to do what's best for everybody. Feme: No commenL Merv: There Is the potential tor conflict of InteresL I have discussed this matter with the County Attorney earlier, and where there Is a situation "e re n 2nfl,ct ,n with the Road Board, there Is definitely to be a conflict, and In a state like that, she will have to drop out going ?! 2omy for that particular case. Where I feel there could 5? wei? to ak ter advice, and tt wasnt advice that was ft la an opinion, thafa where I ! you could have notWnfl to be alarmed about at this stage, Is potential for It, yes. . I"" Ji Equal Housing Opportunity & EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATEDl I i mtnw.llnt Bmdlnq For WHdemesa Stiirflo Put your trust in Number One: , WllilBHIIIH.I.!ll CM H Road PlWMMl RIB Hearing O" Him IM'I n.l i II, II DrovIdflf tO gome toWEZES. halanri7 WW PTOYld? fry mgfW M cm. WfilL |