Washington County Commission Meeting

WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JULY 2, 2013

The Regular Meeting of the Board of the Washington County Commission was called to order by Chairman James J. Eardley at 4:00 p.m. on July 2, 2013, in the Commission Chambers, Washington County Administration Building, St. George, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman James J. Eardley, Commissioner Alan D. Gardner, Commissioner Dennis Drake, Administrator Dean Cox, Deputy County Attorney Eric Clarke, and Deputy County Clerk Christine S. Hall.

Commissioner Drake led the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA

CONSENT AGENDA:

The Consent Agenda is a means of expediting routine matters which come before the Commission for approval. The Consent Portion of the agenda is approved by one (1) non- debatable motion. If any Commissioner wishes to remove an item from the Consent Portion of the agenda, then that item becomes the first order of business on the Regular Agenda.

 Consideration of Auditor-Approved Claims for Payment for June 19, 2013, through July 2, 2013

 Consideration of Administrative Adjustments: Real Property (attached)  Consideration of Administrative Adjustments: Personal Property (attached)  Consideration of Applications for Property Tax Abatement: Anthony Minardi, S/N SG-SLH-A-6; Tamera Carlow, S/N SG-6-2-14-4301; Lana Workman, S/N W-SHGH-3; Ronald Smith, S/N H-SKRG-2-A15-RD; Shirley Powell, S/N SG-BLH-12-63-A; Boyd McKnight, S/N HSKRG-4-C6

 Consideration of Approval of Interlocal Agreement between St. George City and Washington County for the 2013 Byrne Justice Agreement Grant (JAG) Program Award

 Acknowledgment of Retirement of Balance of Bond for the Hurricane Council on Aging Senior Center / Kim M. Hafen

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Drake to Adopt the Consent Agenda with the Exception of the Acknowledgment of Retirement of Balance of Bond for Hurricane Council on Aging Senior Center, which shall be considered as the first item on the Regular Agenda. Motion seconded Washington County Commission Meeting Minutes of July 2, 2013 Page 2 of 5

by Commissioner Gardner and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:

Acknowledgment of Retirement of Balance of Bond for the Hurricane Council on Aging Senior Center / Kim M. Hafen

Washington County Clerk-Auditor Kim Hafen explained that part of the County debt is classified as General Obligation Debt, which is taxed. One of those is a Municipal Building Authority Bond which was approved by voters for the construction of the Hurricane Senior Citizens Center. A surplus has accumulated in the debt service fund from sources such as fee assessed taxes, penalty and interest, and miscellaneous funds. There remains seven hundred and sixty-one thousand dollars ($761,000) owing on the bond, with eight hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($825,000) surplus in the fund balance to pay it off, which will ultimately save the taxpayers two hundred and seventy- one thousand dollars ($271,000) in interest by paying it off early. Our financial advisor, Jon Bronson with Zion Bank, agrees that it is advisable to pay off this outstanding bond.

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Drake to Retire the Balance of the Bond for the Hurricane Senior Center. Motion seconded by Commissioner Gardner and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH / CAROL HOLLOWELL

Julie Duckett appeared on behalf of Carol Hollowell, the Director of the Volunteer Center of Washington County. Ms. Duckett presented Volunteer Service Awards to Robert and Alice Blair, who both provide many hours of service to the senior citizens in areas such as local schools, assisted living facilities, Dixie Care and Share, the Chamber of Commerce, and other activities.

PURCHASE REQUEST(S): MARK BLANCH

No purchase requests were made today.

PRESENTATION TO BEVAN KILLPACK FOR DEDICATED SERVICE TO WASHINGTON COUNTY

Chairman Eardley recognized Bevan Killpack of the Pine Valley Ranger District for his many contributions during thirty-six (36) years of service to the citizens of Washington County. Mr. Killpack is retiring from the Forest Service and will be greatly missed. Washington County Commission Meeting Minutes of July 2, 2013 Page 3 of 5

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2013-1020-O, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS ORDINANCE, TITLE 8, CHAPTER 2, OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY CODE, IN ORDER TO: (1) CLARIFY WHEN THE PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL EXEMPTION APPLIES; (2) REQUIRE THE TIMELY SUBMISSION OF A RESIDENTIAL USE FORM, AND (3) IMPOSE A FEE FOR EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS FILED AFTER THE ASSESSOR HAS PREPARED THE TAX ROLLS

Washington County Assessor Arthur L. Partridge explained that the existing ordinance states that the Assessor’s Office will determine when a property is entitled to a primary residential exemption which is now January 1st. That date has created a hardship for certain property owners who acquire their property in the early part of the year, so this amendment would allow the determination to occur in cases where they have owned the property for one hundred and eighty-three (183) days or longer. The amendment would require people to file an application for residential exemption within sixty (60) days from the date they acquire the property and assesses a fifty dollar ($50) fee on those property owners who fail to file their applications by May 1st.

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Gardner to Adopt Ordinance No. 2013- 1020-O, an Ordinance Amending the County Property Tax Exemptions Ordinance, Title 8, Chapter 2, of the Washington County Code, In Order To: (1) Clarify When the Primary Residential Exemption Applies; (2) Require the Timely Submission Of A Residential Use Form, And (3) Impose A Fee For Exemption Applications Filed After the Assessor Has Prepared the Tax Rolls. Motion seconded by Commissioner Drake and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. R-2013-1737, A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A MEMBER TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING ADVISORY BOARD

Due to the unfortunate passing of Maryjo Kraft, a vacancy has arisen on the Council on Aging Advisory Board. That board has nominated Maggie Middleton to fill that vacancy.

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Drake to Appoint Maggie Middleton to Fill the Vacancy on the Council on Aging Advisory Board, with a Term to Expire December 31, 2013. Motion seconded by Commissioner Gardner and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. R-2013-1738, A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE Washington County Commission Meeting Minutes of July 2, 2013 Page 4 of 5

BETWEEN PETER FIELD AND WASHINGTON COUNTY, THE STATE OF UTAH, AND THE UNITED STATES FOR SUPPRESSION COSTS OWED

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Drake to Table Resolution No. R-2013-1738, A Resolution Approving A Settlement Agreement And Mutual Release Between Peter Field And Washington County, The State Of Utah, And The United States For Suppression Costs Owed. Motion seconded by Commissioner Gardner and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. R-2013-1739, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2013 COOPERATIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN AND FINANCIAL PLAN BETWEEN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE USDA, FOREST SERVICE, DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST

This is a renewal of an existing agreement by which the Sheriff’s Office enforces laws on Forest Service property, mostly for patrolling the campgrounds in Pine Valley and Enterprise areas. Additionally, the Forest Service has agreed to provide the use of its bunkhouse in the Pine Valley area for the use of the Sheriff’s deputies over the weekends when patrolling in that area.

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Gardner to Adopt Resolution No. R-2013- 1739, A Resolution Approving the 2013 Cooperative Law Enforcement Annual Operating Plan and Financial Plan Between the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the USDA, Forest Service, Dixie National Forest. Motion seconded by Commissioner Drake and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. R-2013-1740, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COUNTY JAIL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND WASHINGTON COUNTY

This is another annual renewal of an existing agreement.

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Gardner to Adopt Resolution No. R-2013- 1740, a Resolution Approving the Intergovernmental County Jail Agreement between the Utah Department of Corrections and Washington County. Motion seconded by Commissioner Drake and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye. Washington County Commission Meeting Minutes of July 2, 2013 Page 5 of 5

COMMISSIONERS' REPORT

No items were presented today.

PUBLIC WORKS OR ROAD BUSINESS

There was no report today.

REPORT ON COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS: RATIFY DECISION BY WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD TO APPOINT JOEL TUCKER AS LIBRARY DIRECTOR

The Commission expressed appreciation to Mr. Tucker on his willingness to assume this position.

MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Drake to Ratify the Decision by the Washington County Library Board to Appoint Joel Tucker as Library Director. Motion seconded by Commissioner Gardner and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Eardley, Gardner, and Drake voting aye.

COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING BUSINESS

Administrator Cox reported that the road to Kolob is now open for public use. Commissioner Eardley also cautioned the public that there are fire restrictions in Washington County over the 4th of July weekend and through the end of summer. Due to high temperatures, wind, and severely dry conditions, there is a very real danger of fire in the County.

Request A Closed Session

There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

______CHRISTINE S. HALL JAMES J. EARDLEY DEPUTY CLERK CHAIRMAN