Aidan Mortensen, KOAL News
The Carbon County Commission held a meeting on Wednesday, May 15, during which they tackled a litany of agenda items, including an update on the upcoming Carbon County Fair and the swearing-in of the new County Treasurer.
The meeting opened with the swearing-in of the new County Treasurer, Tara Madsen, who replaced Kay Colosimo following her retirement. Madsen had been approved as the new treasurer in the last Commission meeting, but they forgot to swear her in.
Next was employee recognition. Kellie Payne, the county’s supervisor of Human Resources, wanted to recognize Scott Thayne, who has been employed at the road shop since 2009 and recently retired.
Following this recognition, Kourtney Cox updated the Commissioners regarding the upcoming Carbon County Fair. Cox spoke on the suggestions they received following last year’s rendition. The first item mentioned was the date change, with Cox explaining that the local community wanted the date changed but found it challenging to find a date without another significant event that also coincided with school being out, but they decided on May 30, 31 and June 1 so this year the fair kicks off the summer instead of ending it. Cox then explained the new implementation of a kid’s corner activity, which was decided upon when they needed an activity for children but couldn’t find a Carnival midway company that could provide that service.
Commissioner Tony Martines encouraged people to go out and support the fair and to buy tickets for Due West in Concert.
Next, Duncan Fuchise and Jeremy Jorgensen from the Department of Forestry, Fire and Statelands took the podium to inform the Commissioners about the upcoming fire season and present on projects undertaken in Carbon County. Commissioner Casey Hopes expressed his gratitude for the department’s services.
Following this, the next item was a potential agreement between Carbon County and ECDC Environmental for solid waste disposal services. The agreement was approved unanimously by the Commissioners.
The Commissioners then took on the potential reauthorization by Helper City for arts, botanical, zoological, cultural and recreational (RAP) tax. Commissioner Larry Jensen explained that the purpose of the RAP tax is a slight sales tax of one-tenth of 10% that the city uses specifically for the arts and other community enrichment programs. It is on the agenda because they want support from the Commission, but they also want to specify that the tax is specific to Helper. The Commission voted and granted the request unnaposed.
Next on the docket was a memorandum of understanding between Helper City and Carbon County Fire and Emergency Services. Commissioner Jensen explained that the fire departments of Carbon County work out of their city limits to respond to fires in unincorporated parts of the county, so in return, the Commissioners grant extra funding to departments specifically, in the case of Helper that came in the amount of $79,956. In addition to this, the county also gives to a chief’s fund, which is shared between the chiefs of each fire department to provide additional funding to departments in need.
Following this on the agenda was the possible approval of a leakage study by Castle Country Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR). Commissioner Jensen informed those in attendance that the state has a way of tracking what is purchased in the county and what people are going out of the county to buy. Local businesses can use this information to help them decide what to offer in their stores. The Commission moved to vote, and the motion was approved.
Next, Sheriff Jeff Wood took the podium to request approval to apply for the department’s Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership. Wood explained that this is a 50/50 grant that the department always applies for, that they have vests expiring in 2025, and that a deputy is retiring, so they need to replace the vests. The application was approved unanimously. Commissioner Martines took a moment to honor the Carbon County Sheriff’s Department for National Law Enforcement Week. Sheriff Wood then spoke of his appreciation for his Deputies and anyone who works for the Sheriff’s Office.
After voting on this, the next item was the ratification of the contract for the Indigent Capital Defense Commission. Commissioner Hopes explained that this grant funds the county’s defense attorneys, who handle everything from civil issues to capital cases. The motion was made to vote, and the contract was ratified.
Two tax-related items rounded out the meeting: a tax exemption for two properties in the Coal Creek Home Association and the approval of a property tax payment arrangement. Both were approved by the Commission without issue.
The Commission’s next meeting will be held Wednesday, June 5, at 4:30 p.m. in the Carbon County Administration Building. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the meeting is available on YouTube and Facebook.