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Show ..V.unft. . isw. 7 f fl' i UN i'ji7Bi ill iHiwiaiw UINTAH BASIN STANDARD- - August 13. 2002- - Paggj t Roosevelt water and sewer rate increases approved Basin has ample breeding grounds for West Nile virus By Justin Pinegar By Therena Morrill Lut week, the Roonevelt City Council approved a resolution to increase waterand sewer rates as ofSeptl. The rate increase comes on the heels of a recent study by Brad Hancock, the city manager, in which he proposed a series of utility rate increases to cover the increasing costs of utility service to residents living in the Roosevelt area. This study reported that the city's utility ftind was losingfl 12,000 a year, despite the fact that the utilities are required to generate revenue equaling 125 oftheir costs of opera- tion. residenThe new monthly tial water rate will increase from (17 residential rate to $20, the will go from $25.50 to $30, and Neola wholesale rate will rise form $.77 to $1 per 1,000 gallons. Water connection fees also increased significantly. residenThe new monthly tial and commercial sewer rates will go from $12 to $15, the residential sewer rate will rise from $15 to $22.50, and the Ballard sewer treatment rate will increase from $.75 to $1 per 1,000 gallons. Opponents of the rate increases presented little objection to the majority of the changes proposed by Hancock, but were very vocal with regards to the overage rate increases. When a household uses more than 8,000 gallons per month, they are in-d- ty out-of-ci- ty in-ci- ty out-of-ci- ty actualaverage use is more like 12,000. When 1 asked the city council they said that thats the way its always been, but to me they didnt give a very good answer why, "said Hansen of the overage level. While the overage rate changes were passed as proposed, the city council took note ofsome ofthe publicaobjec-tion- s, and promised to the overage level before next summer. The small change the council made to the proposed resolution involved the connection fees for new houses. Russell Cowan, of the city council, noticed that y connection fees were set to increase by f 1,000 dollars, but connections weta set to increase by only $500. While all connection fee increases were proposed ao coat would be 1.5 that the times the in-dcost, according to industry standard, Cowan proposed residents connection fee that only increase by $500 and the out-o- fdtyconnection fees increase by $1,000, so as to make it more attractive to build in Roosevelt, rather than outside dty limits. The council deviated from the industry standard and approved the amendment. Even though any deviation from industry standard fees make the amendment susceptible to a legal challenge, the council felt that any challenges to the amendment would be unlikely, because the actual impact cost of a new connection is much fee. higher than the re-thi- in-dt- out-of-ci- ty out-of-ci- ty ty 1,000 gallons they use. Overage rates are set to increase from $1.19 to and from $1.79 to $1.50 for in-dt- y, residents. $2.25 for Most of the objections to the overage rate changes have been regarding the level at which a household begins to be charged an overage. It is estimated that households use 3,000 gallons per person each month. Many people, like Lynn Hansen, feel that overage levels should be set to more accurately reflect the average level of consumption for a normal family. "What I want to know is why the overage rate is set at 8,000, when the Continued from page 1 go by, Ureek stated. Code Gives Building Official Some Leeway The conflict Duchesne County is in over the issue appears to be uncommon in Utah, mainly because building officials typically forbid construction with ungraded materials. However, its a call that is left up to the local building official, said Bell, who site on the board of directors for the Utah Chapter of the Conference of Building " "'.L'"' ORSdaU:" 7 7 is who Bell, employed as the Orem City Building Safety Division manager, said he would not allow ungraded lumber to be used in Orem City, nor has he ever had a request to use it in the eight years hes worked for the dty. "If iti ungraded, its rejected lumber for some reason, noted Bell, however, he said the building code "does allow the local building official to make interpretations." Ron Ivie, building inspector for Park City said it would be unthinkable to allow ungraded plywood to be used as a construction material in a home even if it is engineered for performance. "The answer to that is clearly no. Tim codes dont permit it, the problem with ungraded material is there is no methodology by which you can determine structural performance. ' The factory itself has decided it (the wood) is no good. said Ivie. In neighboring Uintah County, the issue of building with ungraded materials has never come up, said Charlie Walker, assistant Uintah County building official, but if it did arise, "it would not be allowed in Uintah or Daggett counties (which the Uintah County chief building inspector contracts). Walker said that if a developer had an approved engineering design usingungraded materials that would take responsibility "off the countys back then we would probably allow it, but ifthe state says no, its no. Changing the Roles? If the stop work orders are vio- lated and building continues on lots the which have been county would obtain a court injunction ordering tiie Steeds to halt construction, said Uresk. According to Mott, stop work orders were issued earlier in an attempt to stop construction on the cabins, but went unheeded. However, according to Joe Steed, the only stop work order he ever received from Motts office was for digging without red-tagge- d, a permit The Steeds have threatened to sue the county over what they claim are unwarranted actions against them. They also maintain they have "had the rules changed on them numerous times by the county. Duchesne County Commission a jhg fla. Open house to mark completion of cannery and remodeling of church Orman Sullivan, Service Missionary in the Roosevelt Bishops Storehouse ofthe Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-da-y Saints, expresses his about the new welfare facility: The thing that amazes me about this building is, how did we ever get this in the Uintah Basin, and how in the world did we ever survive in the small facility we had before? Impressive indeed ia the large gray builcjing located on Lagoon Street, directly behind the Roosevelt First and Fourth Ward Chapel. Part of the Church Welfare System, it houses a home storage center, bishops' storehouse and a large warehouse, coms, plete with loading docks for where supplies are unloaded and stored. The home storage center, which serVesthe Altamont, Duchesne, and three Roosevelt Stakes, is staffed by service missionaries. These missionaries order supplies, unload trucks, stock shelves, and supervise patrons in the packagingof dry goods for their home storage. Foods such as flour, sugar, powdered milk, cereals, dried fruits and vegetables, pastas, etc., are scaled into airtight packets or gallon cant: j Church members usually come in ward groups, by appointment, and help each other measure, fill and seal the containers. The bishops' storehouse ia also staffed by service missionaries, and is for church members needing temporary food assistance. AWelfare Services Fact Sheet from the church explains that the purpose behind the churchs welfare services is to help people to help themselves. "Since its beginnings, the Church has organized to assist its members to provide for themselves and others, ensuring their physical, spiritual, social, and emotional welfare. Welfare services are financially supported through the voluntary contributions of members who fast one day each month and donate at least the value of B 435-722-51- 31 ing certain dead birds including eagles, falcons, magpies, and ravens. Mosquitos are also being routinely tested to detect if they are currying the virus. Joseph Shaflcr, the director of the Health Department, said he isnt worried about the impact of the virus. "I think the media is trying tor create a panic when theres not really a panic," Shaffer said. "More people die of influenza each year, ... about 200,000. Dickson said the mosquitos that carry the virus feed only at dusk andn through the night. The over-6- 0 popu-latiois most at risk, although the act ual odds ofanyoiiegetlingllu virus are very small. Accordingly Dickson, less than one percent of people who are bitten hy infected mosquitos arc expwled to become seriously ill, and only a small fraction of mosquitos will be inferled. ButShaffcr said people should take precautions against the virus hy using mosquito repellent and wearing they go outside. Another tip is to keep your yards and gutters free ofstandi ng wal or, where mosquitos breed. Symptoms of the virus are head ache, high fever, neck stillness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and rarely, death. ty the meals missed. An open house for the Roosevelt Home Storage Center and Bishops Storehouse will held in conjunction with the open house for the Roosevelt First and Fourth Ward Chapel, Tuesday, Aug. 20. The public is invited to tour both buildings from 4 to 8 p.m. Both buildings will be dedicated Thursday, Aug 22, at 7 p.m. Subscribe Nowl 435-722-51- 31 accident ATV-c- ar claims life of ROOSEVELT JGSPS THEATRE One Show Sunday 7:30 qnRB&aiREB Blue Crush TG-13- " 7:30-9:3- HPG-13- H Vin Fruitland boy 0 Diesel 7:30-9:3- An accident on Highway 40 near the Fruitland Store has claimed the life of Christopher Lee Johnson, 15, Fruitland. According to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Merv Guatin, Johnson was attempting to cross the highway while around 2 driving s Friday, Aug. 9, when a car driven Roosevelt woman struck him. Guatin said the highway was busy at the time of the accident, and it appears that two can attempting to turn north blocked Jbhnsoni view so that when he made the decision to cross the road on his ATV he believed the path was clear. The driver of the car will not be cited in the accident, laid Guatin. The car struck Johnaon going about 65 miles an hour, according to UHP reports. The airbags in the car deployed and blocked the drivers view as she attempted to come to a stop. She drove the car off the side of the road and through a fence, the driver and occupants of the car sustained minor bumps and bruises. Witnesses at the scene attempted to aid Johnson hy performing CPR, however he was pronounced dead by a four-wheel- er 0 UIMVIIH T1I i:IKIM Signs "PG-13- Olpin-Honi- These Prices Wont Last Long! For Delivery IN the Uintah Basin Area Prices Good " Mel Gibson One Show Only 7:30 p.m. mn nmimn T23 OPEN AT 8: 15 p.m. Show Starts at Dusk Fri&SatAugl6&17 Spy Kids 2 -- per Austin Powers in Goldinember "PG-13- " aer-vic- I COPYl Checkout our Classifieds I To order bail Health officialshave also begun test- semi-truck- Chairperson Lorn a Stradinger agrees, and said the Steeds development has "had to meet standards that others here have not had to meet Stradinger questioned why construction was even allowed to proceed to this point if Mott had a problem with it She also said she felt that the county hasnt been consistent in their dealings with the Steeds. Chris grandparents, DeVon and If at point A it was not up to code we should put a red tag on it and Kathy Johnson, own the Fruitland theres not one commissioner who GeneralStare. Chris is the son ofSheri would not support that We have to and Shannon Johnson. Viewing be consistent down the line. You cant to celebrate his life will be held give someone a list of what they need .Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. to do and then change it in 20 at Funeral Home, 288 she said. North Main Street in Heber City. min-ute- s, over With Fiscal Year 2001-200- 2 and most bills in, Roosevelt City'B books look good, according to city director Mike Davis. The city is in the black by over $185,000. The city received a big $80,000 payment from the Olympics which put the dtya general ftind in a good position, said Davis. AIbo helping out was a $70,000 increase in sales tax revenue. Fines and forfeitures were also up $70,000 and $65,000 in franchise taxes came in. Some of that was what was owed last year but not payed until this year, Baid Davis. The dtys revenue in Fiscal year 2001-200- 2 was $2.7 million. Expenses came in at around $2.5 million. TAKE A LOOK a joint open house will be held Aug. 20 for the Roosevelt First and Fourth Ward Building and the new facility that houses the Roosevelt Home Storage Center and Bishops Storehouse, located on the comer of Lagoon and State Streets. Visitors are invited to tour both buildings between 4 and 8 p.m. August 20 feel-ing- STOP ORDER Books show Roosevelt looking good financially in-d- ty out-of-ci- ty 1 The westward movement of the West Nile virus, a disease transmitted by mosquitos and carried by migratory birds, is predicted to arrive in Utah within the next year. When it gets here, the Ouray National Bird Refttge in Uintah County, and the Great Salt Lake, another huge water-fow- l magnet, are expected to be the entry points. The West Nile virus, which is rarely deadly, but has claimed 22 lives nationwide since its arrival in the United States in 1999, is predicted to appear in Utah as early as this fall. It could be this fell, next spring, or never, said Sam Dickson, manager of the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District. "But probably next year." Scientists believe that the disease travels longdistances through migrat- - ingbirdsthat have been infected. The virus multiplies in their blood system and can then pass back to uninfected mosquitos that bite the birds. Those benewly infected mosquitos then come carriers of the virus. Mosquito abatement is key in controlling the spread of the Nile Virus. An early warning system has been devised to alert officials if and when the disease does manifest itself in Utah. Chicken flocks in marshy areas will be tested weekly for the virus. MOVIE Information Call 722-209- 5 TWO YEARS 56.00 $52.00 (fricn Good Gip and Send To: Uintah Basin Standard 268 South 200 East Roosevelt, Utah 84066 or Cal 31 or Free at MXM27-M- 7 Mention this Special and use your VISA or MasterCard Toll th Coupon Only) Announcing Your Gift! Name Address City. Zlp 23 iJ O NEW ? RENEWAL I Sale prices Good Through August 3 st 1 Year 2 Years 3 Yean |