Peter Stirba from the Rural Utah Alliance (RUA) asked Emery County Commissioners to rejoin RUA for 2018. RUA is a non-profit, Utah based corporation that endeavors to work collaboratively with state and county officials to represent the interests and needs of Utah’s rural counties and their residents.
Stirba stated several litigation items RUA has been involved with, that have benefited Emery County. Some of these included the limitations on coal shipped through California, the national coal moratorium, and wild horse and burrow litigation. He stated that the alliance is able to provide litigation and counseling when the counties alone cannot afford it. Five or six rural counties in southern Utah are members. The alliance is growing and picking up momentum, but needs more members from counties as well as businesses to survive. Stirba also mentioned that RUA dealt with SUWA when they put a law suit on Kane and Garfield counties for the open and public meetings act when they visited the National Monuments with Sec. Zinke. Emery County Attorney Mike Olsen has been the contact person with RUA from Emery County and he advised the commission that he felt it was worth the $5,000 yearly membership fee. The item was not listed on the agenda for approval so it was tabled and will be voted on during the next commission meeting.
Commissioners appointed Oliver and Sitterud Law Firm as public defenders, approving a $6,000 per month contract with the agreement that Mark Tanner will continue as counsel should a conflict arise.
Sandra Huntington was appointed a $3500 contract to act as Emery County Fair Director for 2018 and Amanda Leonard was reappointed as Event Director for the County, with an extended contract for 3 years.
Contributions were given to Emery County Community Theatre, Emery High Rodeo Team, and fee waivers were granted for Carbon and Emery Special Needs Day and the Suicide Prevention Program that will be held at the Aquatic Center.
Tourism grants were approved with marketing funds for MECCA Spring Mountain Bike Festival, Ladies Golf Tournament and Green River Rock and Mineral Show.
Commissioner Sitterud announced that the county will be having an auction April 28. This auction will offer vehicles and other used county equipment for sale to businesses or individuals.