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Show Garfield County Commissioners Meet PANGUITCH Members of the Garfield County Commission met on Nov. 9 to discuss county business and canvass the November election results. Joining them were Garfield County Attorney Wallace Lee and Garfield County Clerk Camille Moore. The following is taken from the minutes of that meeting. Public Works Business ATV Trail Project: Powell District Ranger Carl Guillette, Dixie National Forest, was on hand to discuss a change in financing the ATV Trail Project. Brian Bremner, County Engineer, informed the commission that the Bureau of Land Management had decided not to participate in the project, however, the county and the Forest Service will continue to work cooperatively to complete their portions. County Water Study: The commissioners voted to give Bremner authority to sign the contract with Jones and Demille Engineering for the water study being conducted in conjunction with the Five County Association of Governments. Economic Development Proposal Sandie Hitchcock, Escalante, submitted a proposal to work as an Economic Development Facilitator for the towns and the county to help implement tneir master plans. Hitchcock has started a company called Grand Staircase Solutions. She would like to help the communities and organizations obtain grant funding for various programs and projects as a Garfield County employee. Her proposal is for each community to contribute $3,000, with the remainder being funded by the county. The budget would be approximately $27,000 plus a travel and telephone allowance. The commissioners decided to consider Hitchcock's proposal during budget workshops the following week. Surplus Computer Bids (See COMMISSION on page 5-A) COMMISSION From Front Page Two surplus computers were advertised and five bids were received. Bids were received on computers number one and two respectively as follows: Jacob Cook, $337, $337; Trudi Owens, $318.64, $429.99; Cindy Bangerter, no bid, $300; Ann Farnsworth, $301.42, $311.26; and Kevin Moore, $300.50; $450.50. The county accepted the bids from Jacob Cook for computer number one and from Kevin Moore for computer number two. Southwest Board of Health Appointment Nick Reynolds was reeappointed to serve as Garfield County's representative to the Southwest Board of Health for a five-year term by unanimous vote. Boulder E.M.S. Request A request for financial assistance to train EMT's in the Boulder area as well as to purchase an emergency transport vehicle was submitted. The commissioners agreed to address the request during its budget workshops the following week. Travel Council Budget Workshop The 1999 budget request for the Garfield Travel Council was presented to the commission by Travel Council Director Bruce Fullmer. Travel Council members present included John Houston, Panguitch, and Lamar LeFevre, Tropic. Health Insurance Premium Rates Present were Ben Slough, EIC, Donna McCorkle, Brinton-Banyai. The current estimate includes a 14 percent increase over last year's rates. The Commission and Clerk Moore stated that it was their understanding that the agreement entered into last year included an 8 percent cap on increases for a two-year two-year period. After discussion, Slough and McCorkle stated that they would take the Commission's concerns back to the EIC board and see if a compromise could be reached. There was also discussion of a reduction in benefit package to lower the rates. Minutes from the previous meeting on Oct. 26 show the following: Public Works Business BLM Noxious Weed Control Proposal: The BLM proposed to contract with the county for noxious weed control on BLM land. The county decided to limit its control for the present to private ground in the county. Public Safety Complex Financing Joe Bronson, Zions Bank Public Finance, gave the commissioners an overview of his experience helping several counties arrange financing for jail facilities in the past few years. There was discussion of using tax-free bonds to leverage lower interest rates. Bronson asked that Zions Public Financing be retained as financial advisor for the project, at a cost of : approximately $10,000 ($2 per ' $1,000 bond issued). The commissioners took the proposal under consideration for followup after the upcoming bond election. EnLibra Resolution The commission adopted a resolution (1998-6) supporting in writing the Utah Association of Counties, the National Association of Counties, and the Western Governor's Association, along with Utah's counties' support of "Enlibra" as the conceptual framework for environmental stewardship for the new millennium as exemplifying the principles . I upheld by Garfield County for many years. Tropic Fire Department Funding Request Kerry Alvey, Tropic Fire Department, explained that the air compressor used to fill air tanks for firefighters required extensive repairs estimated at approximately $6000. Alvey said that the Tropic Fire Department provides fire protection for the top of the mountain. Because the Bryce Canyon Area Fire District Fund contained $5800 with no activity in recent years, the commission agreed to allow the funds to be used to repair the equipment. Property Issues Mark Minchey, Minchey Construction, Escalante property owner, asked the commission for ; their support in his effort to acquire ; unappropriated water rights from : Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The ; commission agreed to send a letter to the Division of Water Rights : supporting the East Side Water : Company's request for allocation of Flaming Gorge Reservoir's : unappropriated water rights. Police Consolidation With : Panguitch City The commission agreed by motion to enter into an agreement -with Panguitch City beginning Jan.; 1, 1999 to provide police protection-for protection-for Panguitch City. Southwest Utah Public Health Department Budget Request : The Southwest Utah Public Health Department had submitted budget request at $18,889, art-increase art-increase of $2,053 over 1998. The commission approved the request upon verification of population figures used to reach the assessment. |