By Julie Johansen
Cory Worwood, Emery County Weed and Mosquito Supervisor, opened the Emery County Commission meeting on Tuesday afternoon by presenting a safety minute on hypothermia. He listed the top two recommendations to avoid hypothermia are dressing in layers and keeping dry. Worwood spoke about how important it is to know what the weather is like when traveling and emphasized how important it is to have a plan to keep warm.
Next, safety incentive Visa gift cards were awarded to part-time employee Melissa Kemple, full-time employee Tammy Tucker and safety-sensitive employees Kirk Price and Clarence Smith for their safety in the workplace.
Time-sensitive grants for the Emery County Sheriff’s Office then ratified were the Asset Forfeiture Grant, Justice Assistance Grant and the Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Grant. There were no bids or proposals for lease, purchase or management of Emery Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Tax abatements, adjustments and corrections for parcels of property in the county were approved for veterans, low income individuals and incorrect billing amounts. Also, the commissioners approved the County’s LEPC application for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness 2020 Planning Grant.
A representative from Four Corners Mental Health approached the commission to seek approval on the agreement between Emery County and joint mental health services and substance abuse services. This interlocal agreement has been in place since 1972 with Four Corners providing mental health services. The commissioners requested that it be changed to meet quarterly with the sheriffs from the three counties, Grand, Carbon and Emery, so that they can plan together.
Emery County Tourism Director Adriana Chimaras requested that the by-laws for the Emery County Trails Committee be changed to expand the number of board members from five to eight with a four-year term limit, which was approved. A change order to include a wash pad at the new salt shed in Green River was also approved. This shed and bay are funded through the Class B Road Fund.
Carbon County’s lawsuit stating that Emery County received about $260,000 in mineral lease money that belonged to Carbon County has caused the commissioners to put a freeze on the distribution of mineral lease funds until that amount has been paid to Carbon County. A letter explaining this was approved. It is the hope of the commission that this can be paid in the fourth quarter of this year, then funding will be continued.
Approval of paying Scott Ryan $400 per month instead of $500 was given effective Oct. 1. He is working on his EMT certification and when acquired, the pay will be raised to $500. He is currently working as garage lead, which usually requires an EMT certification; however, Green River was in crisis mode and Ryan has worked hard encouraging others to serve in this capacity in Green River, the commissioners said.
In the elected officials’ report, Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk reported that is has been extremely busy for the department and a somber week because of many accidents. Commissioners Kent Wilson and Gil Conover expressed appreciation to those who serve the county and the citizens that live here. The recent services on Veterans Day touched their hearts and gave them the desire to work much harder. Finally, Commissioner Lynn Sitterud reported that the San Rafael Research Center is progressing nicely and will be visited by a representative from Washington DC this week.