Rich County Commission Report

 

Anita Weston Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH. Utah. August 5 2014.  Mitch Poulsen from Bear Lake Regional Commission informed the Commissioners that three new board members needed to be appointed to the Board of Adjustments.  This Board only meets two or three times a year.  Three individuals have served for quite some time and requested to be replaced.  There is a case pending so new individuals need to be appointed soon.  The time period to serve on the committee is two years.  Several names were discussed. 

Joseph Coles has requested that his bicycle event be scheduled for September.  Since it will be in September, the Commissioners didn’t feel it would cause too much problem and approved the special event permit for the proposed route that was shown to them. 

Eric Wamsley of the County Planning and Zoning Committee has finished out his term.  Mr. Poulsen asked for the Commissioners’ signatures on a certificate that will be presented to him to thank him for his service. Wayne Batty was appointed to fill that vacancy.  It is a three year term.  The term will begin as of August 1, 2014. 

Sheldon Thompson appeared before the Commission for a business license for the saw mill doing business in the County.  The title of the business is Thompson Logging, Inc.  He noted he is currently sawing lumber as well as dancers and poles.  Currently he has 13 employees and has hopes to increase that number to 35 or 40 in the next two or three years.  He has been pleased with the individuals he has hired from the area.  He said they are working out well.  He said he had some water line issues but is working through that problem. 

The Commissioners indicated they were happy that he has come into the area.  They asked if he was still hiring employees.  He reported that he currently had enough workers but as he brings in more equipment, he will need more men.  The Commissioners asked if he could make pellets.  He said that he would need a press and bagging system to do that, but has enough equipment for almost everything else. 

Taylor Payne works with the Utah Grazing Improvement Program.  He currently has an open contract with Cirrus.to completed the project that was started in the Three Creeks Area for $110,000.  He needed the Commissioners’ signatures on the contract so that the money can be given to them from the State, and they can pass it on to the proper individuals.  Mr. Payne noted that he hoped they would be able to complete this project sometime this fall.  The contract has a termination date at the end of 2015.  This particular project is the first of its kind and appears to be working out extremely well.  Mr. Payne had the Commissioners’ note a possible conflict of interest since all are involved with agriculture. 

Becky Argyle, the County Clerk, approached the Commissioners with the idea of having a mail-in vote for the November election.  The County already has a scanner, and as far as Becky could determine, the mail-in election would probably not cost any more than the traditional election.  The Commissioners approved this request. 

The County needs an additional dump truck with a pup, sanders, and a 4-way plow.  Arrangements have been made for financing for this $240,000 purchase through Zions Bank.  It was decided to get a four-year loan at 1.59 percent interest.  The motion was made to approve this purchase. 

Vernon Mortenson and Bruce Vickamore sell Arena Blend brand material for rodeo arenas.  It isn’t slippery, it is easier to maintain, doesn’t create dust, and last approximately nine to ten years.  They had checked the arena in Randolph and felt that a covering of about two inches would be enough to enhance their facility.  The cost would be approximately $8,000 to $9,000.  A Black Widow groomer would also be needed to mix the Arena Blend into the existing material.  The cost of the groomer would be about $4,800.  They could have the area ready by fair time this year. 

The Commissioners told them to please measure the area and come up with an exact figure.  The gentlemen said they would do that immediately and would leave the information with the Commissioners so they could make a decision. 

Danelle Wasden asked for a business license for the Klickety Klackey Dance Company.  She is going to teach clogging classes on their ranch on Wednesday nights during the winter.  There is plenty of parking, and she will be using the big red shed they have for her classroom.  Approval was granted.  

Brent Sonzini, an insurance representative, reported that the Utah Legislature had opened a six month window that would allow public safety officers an option for their insurance.  The County must agree to the change which would then allow the public safety individuals to choose between keeping their current coverage or electing to go with a different plan that is available.  

The current plan has the security officers pay a percentage that can be withdrawn as a lump sum when they retire.  The non contributing plan doesn’t require the individuals to pay anything.  However, after retirement, there is a more generous amount left to the spouse upon the death of the insured individual.  

Mr. Sonzini left a transfer form for both the County, and for individuals who may be interested in changing.  He will be back on the 18^th and will be available from 2 – 5 p.m. to answer any questions the security people may have. 

Les Johnson requested a business license for Bear Lake Rendezvous Inc. that is a non- profit organization.  He also needed to obtain an event permit for the rendezvous that he is sponsoring August 20 – 24.  The Commissioners indicated that they had waived the event fee for the first five years when he came to them last year to allow him to get started with his yearly activity.   Mr. Johnson indicated that he had plans to teach the history of the fur trade, about the mountain men, various skills used by the pioneers, and so forth.  The Commissioners encouraged him in his activities. 

Bret Argyle is in charge of the Rich County Fair and Rodeo this year.  He noted that on Tuesday of Fair and Rodeo week, after the horse show, the Commissioners had committed to cook hot dogs; and he wanted to remind them of this activity.  He reported that a couple of lights need to be fixed.  Bret noted that three events in the state were won at last year’s rodeo.   

Kim Wilson, the County Assessor, presented a list of exemptions for short term rentals and other personal property.   The exemptions were accepted as presented by the Assessor. 

Dan Ames, the County Fire Chief noted that there had been two fires—one at Mountain Fuel caused by fireworks and another on the East Side of the Lake.  He didn’t know if or when the fire restrictions would be lifted.  So far, things seem to be going well in the County. 

The Commissioners signed a declaration making September child cancer awareness month here in Rich County.