By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
It was business as usual for the Emery County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, May 6, as the body met for its biweekly meeting. Highlighting the gathering was a presentation regarding the Emery County Trail Crew, a donation to Emery High Students participating in competitive marching band and a switch in the county’s reverse 911 system.
Opening the meeting, Les Wilberg from the trail crew took the podium to update the commissioners on the crew’s work. “Our main thing on the trail crew is to please the users. If there’s an equestrian trail, a hiking trail or a motorized trail, the information gets back to us, and that’s kind of our priority.”
Wilberg also highlighted the collaboration that goes into the organization, bringing in stakeholders from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other local organizations. Closing his presentation, Wilberg shared the best way for citizens to get involved with the crew,” The best way to do that, in my opinion, is to fill out a volunteer forum for Emery County. Then that can be reviewed by all the people involved.” The Commissioners thanked Wilberg and the Trail Crew before advancing the agenda.
Next up, six Emery High School Band students addressed the commissioners. “Last year, we won state in competitive marching band. And the year before that, Carbon’s band won state as well. And the officials in Washington, D.C., took note of this and invited us to come play for the Veterans Day memorial services,” explained Whitney Morgan.
“For each student, the cost without a fundraiser or help is $1300,” shared Morgan, adding that they were looking for a donation from the Commission to help offset the cost. It took minimal debate for the Commission to approve this request. With four students going to represent Emery County in the band, each was given $250 towards the cause by the Commissioners. Jokingly, Commissioner Keven Jensen added that the only caveat is that they have to come back following the performance and play at a Commission meeting.
Plowing ahead, the Commissioners breezed through four items. The first two approved the 2025 fraud risk assessment and a logo usage agreement for America250. Next was the approval of a request for proposal to help with the industrial park master plan. And rounding out the bunch was approval for Western Metals to take control of the 116 tons of scrap metal in the Emery County Landfill.
The following major item facing the Commissioner was an approval between the county and the Emery County Business Chamber for the 2025 Emery County Fair. This would be the third year the chamber would assist in the fair. “I think it’s a good idea to partner with the chamber to help us with our finances,” Commissioner Jordan Leonard said before approving the agreement. The item passed unanimously.
Communication matters filled the next bulk of the meeting, starting with approval for the Emery County Sheriff’s office to switch to Civic Plus for their reverse 911 system. Sheriff Tyson Huntington explained that this system was cheaper, easier to use and overall better. Additionally, it would save the county an average of $3000-$4000 a year. With no controversy, the matter passed.
Other approved changes for the Sheriff’s office in the meeting featured an agreement between the county and the Utah Communications Authority for the use of the BeOn application. This application allows the department’s radios to be used in both analog and digital formats, increasing their range and usefulness. “It’s just a better setup that’s pretty neat to have,” said Huntington. It is a complete game changer.”
Closing out the agenda items, the Commissioners developed an action plan regarding a conditional use permit for LaSal Stables. The item continued a yearslong battle between the LaSal Stables venue and citizens neighboring the building who have complained about the noise produced at the venue and alleged belligerent activities from event attendees.
The situation is unique as parts of the venue fall under Orangeville City control, while other land falls under the county’s jurisdiction. Commissioner Dennis Worwood recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission meet with all parties involved to try and work out an agreement before full county intervention. This meeting would also help guide the Commissioners in their decisions on the matter. All three Commissioners agreed with this recommendation and motioned for this to be the plan of action for the time being.
Following this, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting of the Emery County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, in the Emery County Administration Building.