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Emery County approves tax abatements, rejects pay cut for commissioners and debates ordinance enforcement
Summary
The commission approved veteran, blind and homeowner tax abatements and low-income abatements for four residents, denied a proposal to reduce commissioners’ salaries, discussed ordinance enforcement consistency, reviewed a rural economic blueprint draft, and approved trail signage from a Wayne County committee.
At the Sept. 16 meeting Emery County commissioners approved multiple tax-abatement requests, debated enforcement of county ordinances and voted down a proposal to reduce commissioner salaries.
Commissioner Dennis Worwood moved to approve Veteran, Blind and Homeowner tax abatements; the motion passed. The commission also approved low-income tax abatements (up to 50% commission adjustment) for Ryan Cowley, James Smith, William Justice and Betty Hansen after finding each application met the requirements.
Commission Chairman Keven Jensen raised concerns about the scope of authority in pursuing large grants and questioned whether commissioner salaries should be reduced; after discussion Commissioner Jordan Leonard moved to deny the request to decrease commissioners’ salaries and the motion passed. Jensen emphasized safeguards to prevent unilateral pursuit of large grants without commission approval; Commissioner Worwood and others said salary was more appropriate for budget discussion.
Commissioners discussed ordinance enforcement, including whether ordinances should be uniformly enforced or revised because some are vague. County attorney Mike Olsen said the determination to prosecute will depend on evidence presented. The commission also approved allowing Wayne County’s Rober’s Roost Trail Committee to add signage/stickers to existing trail markers where the trail crosses into Emery County, with the committee responsible for sticker maintenance.
August Grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development presented an overview of the Rural Economic Blueprint draft plan and next steps for a county economic-development plan. Sheriff Tyson Huntington reported on a recent rescue of a transient on the Green River. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
