IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
April 27, 2009
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. April 27, 2009 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Alma L. Adams Commission Chair
Wayne A. Smith Commissioner
Scott F. Garrett County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Reed Erickson County Administrator
Also Present:
H. Eugene Adams County Auditor
Dennis W. Ayers County Assessor
Deborah B. Johnson County Recorder
Geraldine S. Norwood County Treasurer
Mark O. Gower County Sheriff
Margaret Miller Justice Court Judge
Absent:
Lois L. Bulloch Commissioner
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 13, 2009 1 2
U OF U SCHOOL ON ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER DRUG DEPENDENCIES
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Margaret Miller.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 13, 2009 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held April 13, 2009 were approved as amended on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
Wayne Smith made a motion to suspend normal rules and allow the Commission Chair to second motions due to the absence of Lois Bulloch. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
Debbie Johnson reported that the Recorder’s office is waiting for the simplifile system to be installed and tested to start filing documents electronically.
Dennis Ayers reported that an update from Eagle software is not working properly which will not allow data entry into the assessment roll. Dennis also discussed legislation which requires a statewide mass appraisal system. The State is leaning toward Colorado Software program. Iron County needs to determine when we convert our current data to the statewide system.
Gene Adams reported that the Legislature passed a law requiring the Commission to approve any line item adjustments to Department budgets. The County has an option to pass an ordinance outlining the County accepted procedure which currently allows Departments to adjust line items within their own budgets.
Geri Norwood reported that the annual tax sale scheduled for May 28 at 10:00 still has 115 parcels listed including one home in Cedar City, one recreational vehicle, and one commercial property. There are fifteen properties valued at more than $50,000. Property owners have until May 27 to redeem their property.
Margaret Miller reported that the Legislature increased fine surcharge by $8.00 which increased the total fines and penalties for traffic violations less than 10 mph over the posted limit to $90.00. The Legislature also increased the limits on small claims from $7,500 to $10,000 effective May 12.
Mark Gower reported that a Deputy, Adam Burton, was involved with a chase and pit maneuver to stop a fleeing vehicle. The deputy was not injured. However, the driver of the fleeing vehicle was taken to the hospital for her injuries and then released to be booked into jail on multiple charges.
Reed Erickson reported that he has attended training on impact fees. He explained that the training needs to be presented to the Commission and the Planning Commission. Reed also requested time on the next Commission agenda to review and discuss budget and income figures for the first quarter of 2009.
David Yardley reported that County elected officials have again been invited to attend Girls State to explain the functions of their offices. County day is scheduled for June 3 at the Sharwan Smith Center in Cedar City.
Michael Edwards reported that a hearing is scheduled this week in the Shiloh Ranch appeal of a request for reasonable accommodation for operation of a youth facility in Parowan Valley.
Wayne Smith reported that a bridge on the Stevensville Ditch on Midvalley Road has been installed. Road repair will be completed as weather and material allow.
Alma Adams reported that a meeting regarding wild land fires has been scheduled in Salt Lake City on May 8. He will plan on attending.
Ron Johnson and Reed Erickson discussed a proposal for ambulance billing submitted by Gold Cross. The proposal would set rate for first year at $64,700 after which the rate would be at 4.5% of billed charges. The agreement as presented was for a four-year contract. Commissioner Smith noted that in negotiations with Gold Cross, a three-year contract was discussed and agreed upon. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the contract subject to the term being adjusted to three years and a review and approval by the County Attorney’s office. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION REQUEST :
Wayne Smith made a motion to convene as a Board of Equalization to discuss a request for tax exemption submitted by the Dixie and Anne Leavitt Foundation. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
Christene Lowder, Deputy Auditor, presented a request by the Dixie and Anne Leavitt Foundation for tax exemptions on two parcels. The parcels are identified as Account Number 0068079, Parcel Number B-1112-0003-0000 located at 225 South 700 West, Cedar City and Account Number 0071321, Parcel Number B-1118-0014-0000 located at 245 South 800 West, Cedar City. The parcels were purchased by the Dixie and Anne Leavitt Foundation on April 1, 2009.
Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the tax exemption request effective April 1, 2009. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
Colette Eppley presented for approval new employee’s Colleen Carson as a part time assistant cook in the Parowan Senior Center and Mary Halterman as a part time seasonal secretary for the Fair. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the hiring requests as presented. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
Colette reported that the IT Department Supervisor, Jared Wilson has requested leave donations to supplement accrued sick leave and vacation of Chelsea Hunt. Employees will be allowed to donate earned vacation only. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the donation by employees to Chelsea Hunt as requested. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
A request for qualifications for a psychiatrist at the Jail was advertised and distributed to mental health professionals in Souther Utah. No proposals were returned. The matter was referred to the Jail Commander to seek a professional to provide mental health services at the Jail.
Craig Spitler commented that he would like the County to write and adopt a policy on the way Municipal Services tax funds could be utilized. Commissioner Smith explained that funding use is governed by State Code and the budget process. A local policy regarding tax use is not needed.
Planning and Zoning: Wayne Smith made a motion to appoint Mike Brown to a term on the Planning and Zoning Board to replace Sophia Hall. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
Multi County Appraisal Trust (MCAT) Board: Wayne Smith made a motion to appoint Dennis Ayers as Iron County Assessor and Wayne Smith as Commissioner as Iron County representatives to the MCAT Board. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
A local committee is being established to discuss sustainable resources involving local municipalities. Reed Erickson and Jan Neth were appointed as Iron County representatives on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
The Commissioners presented coordinated meeting calenders with Reed Erickson to make sure all meetings are covered.
U OF U SCHOOL ON ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER DRUG DEPENDENCIES :
David Yardley reported that the University of Utah is offering a scholarship for attending the annual school on alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Information has been sent to the Jail and Sheriff’s Office. Drug dependency workers have also been notified. At this time, Tom and Linda Harris have requested to be considered for participation. Tom and Linda Harris have attended in the past and work in a twelve-step program in Parowan.
Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the applications of Tom and Linda Harris to be sponsored by Iron County. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Absent.
Signed: Alma L. Adams, Chairman
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk