IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
December 8, 2008
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. December 8, 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
Scott F. Garrett County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Reed Erickson County Administrator
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 24, 2008
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN
BENEFIT CHANGES FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
INTERVIEW & APPOINT IRON COUNTY RECORDER REPLACEMENT
PUBLIC HEARING TENTATIVE BUDGET PRESENTATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE :
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Alma Adams.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 24, 2008 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held November 24, 2008 were approved as amended on a motion by Alma Adams. Second was by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Alma Adams reported that Musket Terminal is applying to store and load crude oil at their Iron Springs facility. Currently their permit is for storing and loading refined fuel, typically gasoline and diesel fuel with some jet fuel possible. This will be supplied through a proposed pipeline linking Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. The crude will be brought in on tanker trucks and transferred to rail cars for transport to refineries.
Lois Bulloch discussed a tax exemption request from a friend of Zeno Parry. Mr Parry is handicapped and has a delinquency on his taxes. Wayne Smith stated that he would contact the person writing the letter and discuss the matter with him. It was also noted that the Parry family had applied for and been granted a low income and circuit breaker tax abatement for 2007 and 2008.
Wayne Smith discussed an incident of illegal dumping at Kanarraville. The County will work with Kanarraville residents to see if dumpsters can be provided to help with a cleanup effort.
Wayne also reported that he had attended a meeting with Senator Dennis Stowell and Wendell Shallenburger to discuss the 2009 budget. Mr. Shallenburger and Senator Stowell want a guarantee that PILT payments from the Federal Government will be directed to the Municipal Services Fund. It was noted that these funds are sent to counties based on population and BLM acreage and may be used as the Commission sees fit.
BENEFIT CHANGES FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE :
Lois Bulloch introduced the history and policy of providing up to five years of insurance benefits to employees that retire with at least fifteen years of service and are not eligible for Medicaid. Currently the County provides this benefit to six former employees, Maydean Petty, Ronald Gardner, Stan Roberts, Robert Dalley, Jim Mitchell, and Vander (Scott) Nelson. Norman Lee Hulet has been a recipient but his eligibility expires Jan 1, 2009.
Upon reviewing the history of the benefit and the lack of records of awarding the benefit in personnel files, Alma Adams made a motion to continue coverage as verbally promised to existing recipients at the same rate as currently offered to County Employees. Recipients must certify annually that they do not have coverage available through other sources. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Wayne Smith made a motion to terminate this benefit policy effective immediately for all future retirees. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
INTERVIEW & APPOINT IRON COUNTY RECORDER REPLACEMENT :
The Commission interviewed Steve Bryant, Mark A. Hersom, and Deborah B. Johnson as possible appointees to replace Patsy Cutler as County Recorder. The candidates have been recommended by the Republican Party Central Committee in compliance with Utah Code 20A-1-508.
After interviewing the candidates and discussing their qualifications, Alma Adams made a motion to appoint Deborah B. Johnson to the position of County Recorder to fill the unexpired term of Patsy Cutler. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette Eppley presented a request for interdepartmental transfer for Karen Reed from Council on Aging part time culinary worker to Corrections part time culinary worker. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the transfer as requested. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
PUBLIC HEARING TENTATIVE BUDGET PRESENTATION :
The Commission opened a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed 2009 budget on a motion by Alma Adams. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Lois Bulloch introduced the ground rules for commenting at the hearing. She explained that this is to receive comments only about the proposed budget. It is not the intention of the County to increase taxes this year. This is the preliminary budget and additional cuts from Departments can be expected.
Reed Erickson explained the proposed budget and handed out a summary of proposed fund budgets. He explained that the main budget will be the General Fund budget and the Municipal Services fund budget. He also explained what functions are provided from these funds.
Wendell Shallenburger questioned the use of PILT funds. He requested that the full PILT payment go to offset the Municipal Services Fund so that the Municipal Service tax could be reduced.
Vicki LeFevre questioned if there were restrictions on the use of PILT funds. Reed Erickson answered and explained that PILT may be used by the County as revenue in the General Fund.
Rick Wark asked if the allocation of PILT is set in stone or if the Federal Government could withdraw funding. Lois Bulloch explained that the current Congress passed full funding of PILT as part of the “bail out” package. Full funding is guaranteed for four years. This is the first time since the establishment of PILT that full funding has been authorized.
Ren Zaphiropoulos asked if the County has increased services in 2008 above 2007 levels including new employees. The Commission responded that Municipal Services have been supplemented from the General Fund for several years. Surpluses in the General Fund have been reduced considerably and can no longer be diverted to the Municipal Service Fund.
Don Young questioned why increases in salary and benefits to employees appears to be offset by the amount assessed in the Municipal Service Fund. The Commission explained that through salary surveys of surrounding Counties and Counties of similar size in the State, the County employee wages were out of range and we were losing employees to surrounding Counties. It had been several years since salary increases had been made and salaries were adjusted to bring Iron County into the average range of similar jobs in other Counties.
Lillie Levitz complained that no County services were provided in her area. Roads were not maintained and no municipal type services were available such as street lights etc. Reed Erickson explained that Sheriff’s Departments and Fire Departments must be supplied and staffed for all contingencies. The fund is not to provide street lighting and water systems but is designed to provide essential services. Roads within under developed subdivisions are not maintained until property owners bring them to County road standards. It is not fair to other County residents to provide subdivision improvements they were required to pay for in purchasing their lots.
Sue Gross also expressed concerns with road maintenance in Cedar Valley Acres. She said that emergency vehicles could not travel the roads during inclement weather due to no maintenance and no road base.
Gerald Van Iwarden expressed concern with law enforcement around County parks at Three Peaks and Woods Ranch which are used by all County residents but is funded through the Municipal Service tax. The Commission answered that costs are allocated by the percentage of time the Sheriff spends in law enforcement in the unincorporated areas.
Rick Wark asked why the Sheriff’s officers were patrolling within the municipalities. The Commission responded that the Sheriff is charged under State Code to serve papers and is also the lead law enforcement agency in the County. The Sheriff is also charged with providing bailiff service in Courts
Austin LeFevre asked why we need the number of Deputy Sheriff’s to patrol an unincorporated area comparable to Kane County. The Commission responded that population and calls for service require the additional officers.
Don Young commented on concerns with deficits in revenue in some budget projections. He was concerned that the Commission would divert funds from PILT to cover the revenue shortfalls instead of allocating all of PILT to the Municipal Service fund.
Berta Mac Gregor asked if budget revenue shortfalls would result in additional tax increases this year. The Commission responded that no tax increases are proposed for 2009.
Ren Zaphiropoulos asked about property valuation adjustments in 2009. The Commission responded that this was under the Assessor’s duties and that valuations are adjusted to January 1 of the current year levels.
Diane Robertson, Rosemary Beals and Michael Fairby asked road questions which were not part of this hearing.
Rick Wark asked about the 911 budget. David Yardley explained that this is funded from phone service and is used to purchase upgrades and equipment and to fund and train some dispatch personnel.
Del Schlosser asked which Department would have the largest budget cuts. The Commission responded that final decisions have not been made at this time but that all Departments will have some cuts.
After all comments were received, the public hearing was closed at 3:50 p.m.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN :
After the bills were reviewed and approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Signed: Lois L. Bulloch, Chair
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk