IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
October 13, 2008
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. October 13, 2008 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Lois L. Bulloch Commission Chair
Wayne A. Smith Commissioner
Alma L. Adams Commissioner
Michael Edwards Deputy County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Reed Erickson County Administrator
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 22, 2008
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TAX EXEMPTION REQUEST
BOE HEARING OFFICER RECOMMENDATION APPROVAL
DISCUSSION OF UPCOMING HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWALS
LANDFILL MAINTENANCE BUILDING CHANGE ORDER APPROVAL
PROCEDURE FOR ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE PROPERTIES
REVIEW & APPROVAL OF TAX ABATEMENTS
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by David Yardley.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 22, 2008 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held September 22, 2008 were approved as amended on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Kal Kahler reported that he attended a CICWCD meeting in which a petition submitted by Carlyle Johnson was addressed. The meeting was well attended by residents in the Comstock area. No action was taken on the request to withdraw from the Water Conservancy District.
Alma Adams reported that a meeting to discuss snow plowing on SR 143 is planned for tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Alma also reported that the law enforcement Fugitive Unit is doing well in finding and apprehending people with outstanding warrants or are listed as fugitives from justice.
David Yardley reported on the progress in preparing for the General Election. Early voting will start on October 21 and continue through October 31. Absentee ballots have been mailed to overseas requests and to all of the by mail precincts. Approximately 1,600 new voter registrations have been received so far this month, mostly from SUU students.
Lois Bulloch reported that she attended the dedication of the Korean War Memorial at Memorial Park in Cedar City. It was well attended and a very moving program.
Lois also reported that she attended Senator Hatch’s sponsored Women’s Conference in Salt Lake City. She was privileged to introduce the keynote speaker at the conference, Scott Burns, former Iron County Attorney.
Scott Wilson, representing Central Iron County Water Conservancy District, reported that phase II of the distribution system in Cedar Valley is nearing completion. The District is also nearing completion of a plan to upgrade the water distribution system within Sky View Subdivision. This will require a complete installation of the distribution system within this subdivision.
Cedar Valley Acres has also requested consideration of installing a distribution system. This is a large subdivision with few developed lots, most of which are served with a private water system. No action by the District is planned at this time.
Scott also reported on studies to develop a reservoir site on Urie Creek and the development of a capital facility plan. The Commission thanked him for the report and invited him to return on a regular basis.
Michael Edwards, Deputy County Attorney, discussed the issue of roll back taxes on deeded rights of way involving green belt properties. Currently there are four properties in which the right of way was transferred prior to the roll back being paid. In the future, before title passes to the County, the roll back tax is to be paid. A policy will be drafted by the Attorney’s Office outlining the procedure.
Wayne Smith made a motion to approve County payment of the following roll back tax assessments for property deeded to Iron County for road rights of way.
Dale Robinson Serial # C-0391-0002-00RD $43.67
Orton Property Serial # D-0534-0003-00RD $751.89
Brent Hunter Serial # D-0576-0006-00RD $651.73
Bulloch Serial # D-1093-0009-00RD $138.23
Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TAX EXEMPTION REQUEST :
Alan Jones, representing the Dixie & Anne Leavitt Foundation met with the Commission to request approval of two application’s for property tax exemption status which were purchased by the Foundation. The Dixie & Anne Leavitt Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 foundation supporting the Southern Utah Foundation. It meets all of the requirements for tax exemption under current IRS and Utah State Code.
After reviewing the request and purpose of the Dixie & Anne Leavitt Foundation, Wayne Smith made a motion to approve a tax exemption on both parcels as requested. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
BOE HEARING OFFICER RECOMMENDATION APPROVAL :
Carrie Christiansen presented recommendations of the hearing officer for Board of Equalization adjustments. After explaining the adjustments and reviewing the number of BOE appeals, Alma Adams made a motion to approve the Hearing Officer recommendations as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
REVIEW & APPROVAL OF TAX ABATEMENTS :
Christene Keene presented for approval, circuit breaker, County, blind, and Veterans exemptions requests for approval. Total exemption adjustment would be $351,573.43 if approved as recommended.
Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the tax exemption requests as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
PROCEDURE FOR ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE PROPERTIES :
Michael Edwards, Deputy Iron County Attorney, discussed with the Commission a policy about how to proceed with cleanup of properties which have been found to be a nuisance by the Courts and the Courts have ordered to be cleaned up. It was determined that where possible, County equipment and personnel would be used. Chad Nay reported that he has requested up to $200,000 in the 2009 to pay for such cleanups and that if approved, the projects could be put out for bid by private contractors. This would allow County personnel to continue with their regular work. The Zoning Administrator and the County Attorney’s Office were asked to proceed with the most efficient and cost effective method of cleanup. Costs of cleanup will be assessed back to the property owner as part of their property tax.
Colette Eppley presented for approval new hires Jan Neth as County Administrator Assistant; Bill Nelson as GIS Specialist/Assistant IT Director; Marki Jones as a Deputy Court Clerk; Suzette Bulloch as a Deputy Assessor; and Tena Day as a Part Time Custodian at the Parowan Senior Citizen Center. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the new hires as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented for approval Lawrence Bell as a volunteer driver in the Cedar City Senior Citizen Center and Ronica Sheller as a volunteer kitchen worker and receptionist at the Parowan Senior Center. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the two volunteers as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also requested approval of a promotion for Daniel Abbott as lead worker in the Parowan Ambulance Department. Alma Adams made a motion to approve Daniel Abbott as requested. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette presented a proposal for an enhanced benefit for public safety retirement program which would provide the ability to increase an annual COLA for retirees under this system from 2.5% up to 4%. By approving this plan, County contributions to the retirement system would increase to compensate for the difference. After listening to the presentation, Wayne Smith made a motion to table action to allow for consideration during the budget process. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
DISCUSSION OF UPCOMING HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWALS :
The County Insurance Committee presented the Commission with their findings regarding health insurance coverage for 2009. Select Health, the current provider proposed a 57% increase over current premiums for 2009. This has been negotiated down to 28% but it appears that this is about where current coverage would be.
The Committee is still looking at options however no other company has been able to match the proposed premium. The Insurance Committee recommended that the Commission act as soon as possible so that open enrollment could be completed in time to take effect January 1, 2009.
LANDFILL MAINTENANCE BUILDING CHANGE ORDER APPROVAL :
Change Order # 2 and # 3 were approved on the Landfill Maintenance building as recommended by the Engineer, Robert Platt. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the change orders as presented and authorize the Commission Chair to sign. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN :
After the bills were reviewed and approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. on a motion by Alma Adams. Second was by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Signed: Lois L. Bulloch, Chair
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk