24September1984.htm

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MINUTES OF THE SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 24, 1984

The San Juan County Commission met in regular session on Monday, September 24, 1984, at the hour of 10:00 a.m. in the San Juan County Courthouse at Monticello, Utah.

The following members were present: Commissioner Kenneth R. Bailey,

Acting Chairman Commissioner Robert Low

Commissioner Calvin Black was excused.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved with the specified corrections on the motion of Commis-sioner Low. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and carried unanimously.

HISTORICAL PRESERVATION CONTRACT APPROVED

Kent Powell from the Division of State History, met with the Commission to discuss the $4,519. Certified Local Government Grant to San Juan County. Commissioner Bailey reported that the Commission has requested the County Attorney make a recommendation regarding the long-term effect of approving the Historical Preservation contract. Commissioner Bailey further stated that the County Attorney has not reported back to the Commission and in absence of the report and in line with the statement made by the County Attorney saying he felt there was nothing wrong with the contract he would have no objections to approving it. The contract would require that an ordinance be passed outlining the Historical Commission's duties before any money can be received. The contract also requires matching funds, donated services or a combination of both. Commissioner Low made a motion to approve the contract and to authorize Commissioner Bailey to sign it. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and carried unanimously. The Commission has instructed the County Attorney to report to the Commission regarding this as soon as possible and to draft a proposed ordinance for the Commission to review.

COUNTY FAIR BOOTH WINS SPECIAL AWARD

Everett Johnson met with the Commission to present the plaque awarded to the County Fair Booth at the State Fair. A Special Award was presented to San Juan County's Booth for being the Most Educational County Booth. The Commission expressed their thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Johnson for their many efforts contributed to making this possible.

REGISTRATION AGENT APPOINTED

Gail D. Johnson, County Clerk, met with the Commission to recommend the appointment of Bonnie Rice as a registration agent for South Monticello-Precinct #9. Commissioner Low made a motion to approve this appointment. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and carried unanimously

NAVJAO TRIBE AND U.N.D.C. REPRESENTATIVES MEET TO DISCUSS COMMISSIONER DISTRICTING

Ron Faich and Donna Chavez representing the Navajo Tribe, met with the Commission to discuss the method of electing County Commissioners by Districts. A resolution was presented to the Commission from the Navajo Tribal Advisory Council requesting the adoption of proposal #8. Commissioner Bailey presented 3 variations of proposal #8 for review by those present. Also reviewed was proposal #7 which has a 2.6% deviation. The Commission is recommending the following changes in proposal #8:

1. Taking Cedar Point out of District #2, and putting it in District #1, to preserve community interest.

2. Taking White Mesa out of District #1, and putting it in District #2, to preserve community interest.

These changes would change the deviation to 7.8% from 4.9%. Mr. Faich and Ms. Chavez stated that the deviation difference would be fine as long as the community interest is not split. Ms. Chavez further stated that she is ready to recommend the changes for a modified proposal #8 and that the deviation number is low enough. Also present were Herb Clah and Worthy Glover representing U.N.D.C. The representatives present stated that the Navjao Tribe and the U.N.D.C. are recommending the above changes which will be called modified proposal #8 and are also asking that it be adopted by the Commission and placed on the November election ballot. The representatives from the Navajo Tribe replaced proposal #8 attached to the resolution submitted by the Tribal Advisory Council with modified proposal #8. The representatives from U.N.D.C. also replaced proposal #8 attached to the resolution submitted by the U.N.D.C. with modified proposal #8. The Commission stated that they feel that modified proposal #8 best serves the community interest for each district. The Commission also feels that the deviation of 7.79% would be within the guidelines of the Justice Department. Commissioner Low made a motin that the Commission adopt modified proposal #8 and place it on the Novemeber General Election ballot. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and carried unanimously.

STATE INDIGENT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DISCUSSED

The Commission held a conference call with Kent Roner from the State Indigent Medical Assistance Program to discuss the County joining the State Indigent Medical Assistance Program. The Commission will draft a letter of intent to Mr. Roner stating that the County will join the program in July, 1985.

DISTRICT FIRE WARDEN MEETS

John Baker, District Fire Warden, met with the Commission to report that last week radiological training sessions were held for the fire departments in the County. Mr. Baker reported that all of the departments except Montezuma Creek participated in the trainings. Mr. Baker also reported that each department has received a radiation detection kit.

HEALTH CARE SERVICES DISCUSSED

John Fellmeth, Chief Deputy Auditor, and Rayburn Jack, Executive Director for Health Care Services, met with the Commission to review the income statement through August 31, 1984, for the Physicians Group. Mr. Fellmeth reviewed the cash flow problems that the Physicians Group is presently having. Commissioner Low made a motion to approve the transfer of $25,000. from the general fund to the Physicians Group. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and carried unanimously.

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Commissioner Low and Commissioner Bailey met with Dr. McDonald last week to discuss the pros and cons of malpractice insurance. There was also a general discussion regarding medical care. Dr. McDonald is from Teleuride, Colorado, and practices at the hospital in the emergency room on weekends.

Commissioner Bailey presented the following statement:

One big cause of the deficits in San Juan County Health Care is that for 25 years the insurance company payments and government payments have been going up with inflation. Both insurance companies and the government have now established caps, limits and lower percentage of payments and yet our costs and expenses have continued to escalate. This is a problem for every Health Care provider in the country. Some are coping with these problems and sane are not. The more rural the area and smaller the facility the harder it is to cope with this problem. These insurance company and Government payments have been further complicated and reduced because a great deal of money has been drained off for more exotic treatments such as dialysis and coronary bypass operations leaving less money for regular payments. Another complicating factor leading to increased deficits is that San Juan County continues in a deep recession and the residents are not spending money on health care unless it is absolutly necessary thereby cutting back significantly on their expenses.

ACTUAL PATIENT AT SAN JUAN HOSPITAL

This patient was hospitalized for 19 days, required surgery, IVs, x-rays, 8 units of blood, central supplies and respiratory therapy, and anesthesia services and supplies.

Total billed charges of $8,391.82.

These were billed to Medicare and under very good documentation of care on the chart, the hospital was paid a DRG (diagnosis related grouping) amount of $3,381.90. While this patient was hospitalized on day 13, acute care was no longer necessary and we were able to notify the family that this patient's charges would now be their respnsibility to pay. This notification takes place after a patient does not require acute care for a period of 48 hours consecutively. When we received the Medicare payment we were, therefore, able to bill a portion of the remaining amount to the family of this patient. This was an amount totalling $1,264.60. Which left an amount of $3,745.32 to be written off by the hospital just as though we had been paid in full. The write off amounts are usually quite large due to the fact that surgery, etc. must be done while the patient is acute.

SHERIFF'S REQUEST FOR VEHICLES APPROVED

Commissioner Low made a motion to approve the request made by Sheriff Rigby Wright at the September 17th Commission meeting for two 1985 Chevrolet Impalas. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and carried unanimously.

MONTEZUMA CREEK BRIDGE DISCUSSED

Commissioner Bailey reported that he is supposed to get the right-of-way from the Tribe by tomorrow and will be able to deliver it to the UDOT in Salt Lake City this week. Commissioner Bailey reported that if the funds can be obtained from the DOT'S 1984 bridge replacement budget it will save the County approximately $500,000.

BLUFF AIRPORT RE: ARMOUR COATIMG ESTIMATE REVIEWED

Commissioner Bailey reported that the cost estimate for armour coating the Bluff Airport is approximately $91,827. Commissioner Bailey further reported that he will contact the State Aeronautics Board about the project.

MONTICELLO SWIMMING POOL

The Commission received a letter from Scott Hansen, Richard Maughan, and Andrew S. Jensen outlining some suggestions for fixing up the facilities at the Monticello Swimming Pool.

MINUTES OF THE SAN JUAN COUNTY BOARD OP EQUALIZATION SEPTEMBER 24, 1984

The San Juan County Board of Equalization met on Monday, September 24, 1984, at the hour of 1:00 p.m. in the Assessor's Office at the San Juan County Courthouse at Monticello, Utah.

The following members were present: Commissioner Kenneth R. Bailey,

Acting Chairman Commissioner Robert Low

Also present was Barbara Montella, County Assessor.

U.N.D.C.

Fritz Mueller from U.N.D.C., and their attorney Eric Swenson, met with the Board to request a tax exemption for U.N.D.C. Bruce K. Halliday, County Attorney, reported on several tax exemption cases where the ruling for tax exemption only applies if all of the organization is charitable. Commissioner Bailey stated that the Commission does not feel that U.N.D.C. qualifies for tax exemption. The matter will be further discussed at the October 1st, Equalization Hearing.

STATEMENT MADE BY COMMISSIONER BAILEY REGARDING THE STATE TAX COMMISSION

Commissioner Bailey made the following statement:

I would like to remind those present of the tactics used by the State Tax Commission to get more money into the State Uniform School Fund, and the Commission has been attempting to fight the State Tax Commission on this. There has been a shift in the amount of taxes from the state assessed properties to the locally assessed properties as there are different formulas for each. The County refused to factor last year and as a result was involved in a lawsuit with the State Tax Commission. As a result of the hearing the County was successful in not having to factor up residential properties. Commericial businesses had been underassessed so there is some increase in them. The County was unsuccessful in the area of raw land so it has been increased. Barbara Montella, County Assessor, has reassessed all property and factored up where necessary. The Board feels that they should reveiw the protests brought to the hearing on a fair and equitable basis and if an inequity is found an adjustment should be made for the class, group, or kind of property involved if warranted. The County has made an attempt to hold taxes down.

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METHOD OF ASSESSING RAW LAND REVIEWED

Mrs. Montella reported that raw land is assessed at $5,000. for a base lot (.26 of an acre) and $2,000. per additional acre. Mrs. Montella further reported that even if the lot is less than .26 of an acre the base lot fee will be $5,000. If possible property owners with adjouning properties of raw land should have them recorded as one piece to save additional base lot fees. Any changes made regarding the consolidation of properties or applications for Green Belt will be effective for this years property taxes.

RPB-102 HOMER H. DALE

No change.

RP-1218-5 JOHN L. & SCHARLETT E. STEWART

Mr. Stewart met to protest the large increase in the percentage of taxes paid to the School District. Mr. Stewart reported a 105% increase of his taxes going to the School District. The Board reported that they could do nothing about the size of the mill levy collected by the School District. No change.

RPM-71 SAN JUAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

John Baker reported that the San Juan Community Church should qualify for a tax exemption this year because the parsonage is now being used as a Sunday School. Exemption granted.

RP-2033 & RP-2039 HUGH JELLIE

This property could possibly qualify for Green Belt factoring which would appraise it at a much lower agricultural use assessment.

RPM-452 JOHN H. & MARY N. BAKER

Mr. Baker feels that this property is assessed to high. Mrs. Montella explained the method of assessing raw land. No change.

1171-A-l KEN & VERLYNN BANKS

Mrs. Banks reported that her home burned down in July and would like it pro-rated accordingly. Request granted.

M-498-2 GLEN W. WALLACE

Mrs. Montella received a letter from Mr. Wallace regarding the increase in his taxes. Mrs. Montella will send him a letter explaining the reappraisal.

RPB-285 EARL N. & ELIZABETH C. WRIGHT

Will have recorded with RPB-286-4 as one property so only 1 base lot fee will be charged.

RP-1768 EARL N. & ELIZABETH C. WRIGHT

Will be changed from residential lot to III graze. Will be recorded with RP-1678 as one property so only 1 base lot fee will be charged.

RP-1678 EARL N. & ELIZABETH C. WRIGHT

Change from residential lot to III graze.

RP-1104 WALTER K. MC ALISTER

Change 2,043 acres of IV dry tillable to III graze.

RPB-556-1 & RPB-494-2 MERLIN GROVER

Will be combined as one property so only 1 base lot fee will be charged.

RPB-197-1 MERLIN GROVER

The size of this lot makes it unusable for a house or mobile home. A 50% reduction was granted.

B-546 WILLIAM R. & IDONNA H. COOK

A portion of this property will be deeded as a city street. The reduction will be effective for 1984 taxes.

BCD-1763-2, B-343-1, AND B-342-2 LYMN F. & LORRAINE K. LAWS

Computer error should have been listed as Green Belt.

RPB-539-6-1 & RPB-539-6-2 WALLACE S. CHRISTENSEN

No change.

A-20 & A-21 DICK R. SHUMWAY

Take ag building off of A-20 and put on A-21.

1639-A-2 & 1639-A-1-3 DOROTHY PERKINS

Delete residential building from 1639-A-2 and add to 1639-A-1-3.

1693-2 DOROTHY PERKINS

Change acreage to 40 acres instead of 40.9 acres.

1624 DOROTHY PERKINS

Delete residential building, from 1624 and add to 1624-3.

1624-3 DAVID LESLIE PERKINS

Add residential building.

B-433-2 & B-433-3 CHARLES S, HARRISON

Take residential building off of B-433-2 and add to B-433-3.

RPM-105 MILTON C. NIELSON

Mrs. Montella will figure his valuation based on an income approach.

RPM-302-1, RPM-315-1, AND RPM-16 WILLIAM MONTY & DEANNA DALTON

Will be combined as one property so only 1 base lot fee will be charged.

MEADOWLARK ACRES #3 MARK E. & LINDA L. EWART

Error on house size.

M-517 BURTIN L. PIERCE

Remove mobile home.

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1689-2-6 ERWIN R. GUYMON

This is a dead file as it is a duplicate of 1761-1-2-3.

165-12-4 JAMES M. CHRISTENSEN

Add a residence.

165-12 MICKY MICHAEL MARTIN

Change residence to mobile home.

BCD-1692-1 RONALD F. MC DONALD

Reclassification from residence to III graze.

BCP-1694-1 ALMA U. JONES

Computer error. Change from 30 acres to 20 acres.

BCD-179S-4 MARY KAY LAWS SMITH & JACK N. SMITH